These ships carry containers as cargo. The containers are preloaded with goods for export. In this way the goods can be locked and sealed before they are loaded onto the ship. With the use of shore based independent moving gantry cranes, the loading and unloading work is extremely fast.
All the cargo holds contain guides for the containers, so that it is easy to slide them in place. The containers are made so that the corners can be locked in place very easily. Because the containers are lowered in place precisely and the corners are matched for interlocking, it is important to keep the ship at even keel during the cargo work. For this purpose, container ships have remotely controlled ballast pumps and valves that can be controlled by deck officers.
In line with the fast cargo handling work, container ships are usually built for speed, so that cargo can arrive at their destinations fast. Some ships are fitted with bow-thrusters to shorten the maneuvering time.Since the cargo is not messy, the container ship remains clean even when in port.
The ports are usually located in big cities so going ashore is easy. However, seamen working on container ships have little time to spend ashore. Sometimes the stay in port may be just a few hours. Whatever activities on shore have to be carried out quickly.
|
