Updated at: 08-09-2021 - By: Lucas

Cargo ships are big vessels that carry lots of goods from one place to another. These types of ships have been used for centuries.

Most of the time, cargo ships are used for carrying cargo like grain, ore, oil or other raw materials. But sometimes, these types of ships are used to carry finished products like cars, houses and etc.

Cargo ships come in many different sizes and they are used all over the world. If you have read our other articles about cargo ships, you will know that there are many cool facts about them.

In this article, we will talk about the most important types of cargo ships.

General Cargo Ships

General-Cargo-Ships

A general cargo ship is a large, ocean-going vessel designed for the transportation of bulk cargoes such as grains, ore, and minerals. General cargo ships are very different from tankers or oil supertankers. 

These large vessels are not designed for transporting a limited type or range of cargo. They are built to safely and efficiently transport almost any type of cargo you can think of. These kinds of ships have a long, narrow shape with a low profile.

They have a shallow draft which enables them to be operated in shallow water. This means they can easily access inland waterways and ports that are too shallow for larger, conventional cargo ships.

Container Ships

Container-Ships

A general cargo ship is a large, ocean-going vessel designed for the transportation of bulk cargoes such as grains, ore, and minerals. General cargo ships are very different from tankers or oil supertankers. These large vessels are not designed for transporting a limited type or range of cargo. They are built to safely and efficiently transport almost any type of cargo you can think of. These kinds of ships have a long, narrow shape with a low profile.

They have a shallow draft which enables them to be operated in shallow water. This means they can easily access inland waterways and ports that are too shallow for larger, conventional cargo ships.

These are very large boats with a capacity of 40,000 to 50,000 tons. They are used for transporting cargo around the world. They can also be used for recreational purposes like fishing and diving. The largest cargo ships have a length of 380 feet and a beam (width) of 98 feet. These ships are so large that they require a large amount of water to operate. The amount of water needed is equal to about three Olympic-sized swimming pools for every foot of cargo ship length.

These are the largest and most powerful merchant vessels afloat. They are designed to carry huge quantities of cargo over very long distances. The largest cargo ships can carry over 200,000 tons of cargo.

They have very large holds (the area below decks where the cargo is stored) and can accommodate up to 15 or 20 separate cargo areas. Each cargo hold is subdivided into many individual compartments. These compartments are typically only about three feet high and six feet wide. They also have very thick walls which helps them withstand the enormous forces exerted on them when they are under full sail.

The cargo hatches (the doors that give access to the cargo areas) are typically located amidships on the side of the ship. This arrangement makes it easy to load and unload cargo. You simply roll the cargo ship up on to the dock and then raise the hatch cover to gain access to the cargo hold.

Bulk carriers

Bulk-Carrier-Ships

A bulk carrier is a large ship designed to transport large quantities of cargo like grain or ore. Bulk carriers are much larger than container ships and can weigh up to several hundred thousand tons. These huge ships can carry anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred cargo containers.

When you are talking about a bulk carrier, it is important to remember that it is not the same thing as a cargo ship. A cargo ship is designed to carry only a limited amount of cargo, whereas a bulk carrier is designed to carry an unlimited amount of bulk cargo. 

Bulk carriers are used in the worldwide shipping industry and are essential to keep global trade moving. Bulk carriers have very deep hulls so they can safely transport large amounts of cargo over long distances. Bulk carriers are also very stable and have very tight turning radii. This enables them to dock at any kind of wharf with total confidence.

Oil Tankers

Oil-Tankers

An oil tanker is any large vessel that is used to transport crude oil or petroleum products. They range in size from about 5,000 to 40,000 deadweight tons (dwt). A typical oil tanker is about 25,000 dwt. Oil tankers are built to withstand the rigors of transporting heavy cargo over long distances. They have a double hull with an interior liner made of steel or fiberglass.

Oil tankers have a single mast at the very front of the ship. The mast has a crow’s nest for the captain and a radar dome for the navigator. There may also be an AIS (Automatic Identification System) antenna on the mast. This allows the captain to know the position, speed, and direction of other ships.

Oil tankers have two rudders; one at the stern and one amidships. The rudder at the stern controls the angle of the ship. The rudder at the amidships controls the turning radius of the ship. Oil tankers usually have two propellers; one at the stern and one amidships.

The largest oil tanker in the world is the product of a collaboration between the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. Known as the “Seafarer”, this monster of an oil tanker has a capacity of 242,000 barrels and was built at a cost of $400 million.

This oil tanker is so big that it actually displaced two smaller oil tankers that were anchored side-by-side near the loading dock when it arrived! The Seafarer is actually owned by the Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) and was constructed by the Kvaerner Masa-Yards at their shipyard in Mosss Norway.

Gas Carriers

Gas-Carriers

A gas carrier is a large semi-trailer truck with an attached tank for hauling fuel. Gas carriers are often used to transport hazardous materials. A gas carrier is different from a tanker truck which has a smaller tank and is not designed to transport hazardous materials. A gas carrier is designed to transport large quantities of gasoline or other types of fuels.

Gas carriers are used in retail distribution, wholesale distribution, pipeline transportation, and sometimes, by individual consumers who have their own underground storage tanks. Gas carriers can range in size from 18-wheelers that are 7-axles tall, all the way down to mini-gas carriers that are only 4-axles tall. 

The height of a gas carrier is measured from the ground to the top of the cab. A mini-gas carrier is the smallest type of gas carrier. It usually has a capacity of between 15 and 30 gallons. A standard gas carrier has a capacity of between 100 and 400 gallons.

They can also be fitted with special refrigeration equipment which allows them to carry frozen cargo. A gas carrier can carry up to 100 tons of cargo and it has a maximum road speed of 70 mph. They can be configured to travel either on the highway or on local roads. They usually have a semi-tractor cab at the front and a cargo area at the back. The cargo area can be divided into several sections and they can be raised or lowered as required.

Reefer Vessels

Reefer-Vessels

A reefer vessel is a large container used to transport fresh fruit and produce in the refrigerated conditions needed to preserve the quality of the cargo. These containers are typically used by sea-based shipping lines and large commercial entities.

A typical reefer vessel will be 40 feet long, have a capacity of 200 cubic feet, and an average weight of about 70,000 pounds. They are made of a rugged, thick steel that has been galvanized for added protection against corrosion. The top is typically a hinged lid, but some are completely solid.

Ro-Ro Ships

Roll-on Roll-Off Ships

A ro-ro ship is a type of ferry boat that operates on rivers and coastal inlets. The name comes from “roll-on/roll-off”, which describes the way these boats load and unload their passengers. Basically, a ro-ro ship has a ramp at one end that allows vehicles to drive or be pushed onto the boat. Then, once the vehicle is on the boat, the ramp is rolled up and the vehicle drives off.

Ro-ro ships are used for transporting automobiles, trucks, buses, and even trains. They are also used for military transportation. There are different types of ro-ro ships. Some can transport only one type of vehicle. Other types can transport several different kinds of vehicles. Still others can transport anything that can be driven on the road. These include automobiles, trucks, motor homes, and even semi-tractors.

Livestock Vessels

Livestock-Vessels

A livestock vessel is a large, round, domed container that is used to transport animals from one place to another. Livestock vessels are usually made of thick, rugged steel and are designed to withstand the rigors of transportation. They come in many sizes, but the most common size is about 10 feet in diameter.

Livestock vessels are used to transport a wide variety of animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and even horses. They are also used to transport other types of cargo, such as grain. A livestock vessel has a lid that is secured with either a bolt-down or a clamp-down arrangement. This allows the container to be loaded and then sealed.

Self-Propelled Cargo Ships

Self-Propelled-Cargo-Ships

Self-propelled cargo ships are ideal for hauling cargo over long distances. They are also used for military purposes. These large, boxy, black ships are propelled by one or two large diesel engines. The engines are mounted in the rear of the ship and are connected to a complicated system of shafts, gears, and belts that propel the vessel forward.

The self-propelled cargo ships are built to withstand harsh conditions. They have thick metal skin and are extremely strong. They are equipped with massive tires that provide excellent traction on all types of surfaces. They can even climb over most obstacles that are in their way.

Dry Cargo Ships

Dry-Cargo-Ships

A dry cargo ship is a large, ocean-going vessel that is designed to transport a wide variety of dry goods. These types of ships are used all over the world by shippers and receivers of all sizes. They can carry everything from grain, to building materials, to steel, to pharmaceuticals, and just about anything else that can be packaged and shipped in a box or container.

Dry cargo ships are typically very large, with some measuring up to 200 feet long and 50 feet wide. They have massive hulls to withstand the harshness of the open ocean. These types of ships have a lot of cargo space, which makes them ideal for carrying bulk cargoes. They have very large hatches at both the bow and stern that are designed to unload and load the cargo efficiently.

FAQS

What are the main features of cargo ships?

Cargo ships are a type of merchant ships designed for the carriage of goods. They have been designed to accommodate the carriage of bulk cargoes. There have been designed with a large hatch at the stern and also at the bow to facilitate the loading and unloading of the cargoes.

These vessels are equipped with cranes to assist in the loading and unloading of the cargoes. Most of these cargo ships are built to a length of between 120 and 140 meters and have a beam of between 24 and 30 meters. These ships have a gross tonnage of between 3,000 and 10,000 tonnes and are capable of carrying a maximum cargo load of 20,000 tonnes.

Why is ship cargo important?

The world’s shipping industry is responsible for transporting about 90 percent of all goods globally. This contributes significantly to the global trade of goods, which has experienced an upsurge, with an average growth of 5.5 percent over the last decade.

The volume of world trade in merchandise was estimated at 2,200 billion dollars in 2010, and this number is expected to double by 2020. This is a clear indication of the growing importance of global trade in our daily lives. 

Ship cargo holds an extremely vital position in this scenario. It is not only the preferred mode of transportation for goods, but also an important element in the globalization process itself.

How is life in cargo ships?

Modern-day cargo ships are almost like floating cities. They are equipped with every facility possible to make the lives of the crew comfortable. The ships are divided into sections. The quarters are in the back, while the front usually contains cargo holds, where the goods are stored.

The front also usually contains a small office or room for the captain and crew. The ship I was on had a gym, an infirmary, a cinema, a nightclub, a restaurant, a bar, a convenience store, a hairdresser, a tailor, a bank, a library, a shooting range, and even a tattoo parlor! Life on board is not always fun though.

Conclusion

Cargo ships are used to carry goods and materials across the ocean. When it comes to building a cargo ship, the most important thing is that it should be strong and durable. The ship should be able to withstand the harsh conditions of the ocean.