What Types of Vessels Can Be Used for Container Shipping?

1. Containers The Basics
2. Container Ships A Closer Look
3. Container Ships by Size
4. Ultra-Large Container Vessel (ULCV)
5. New Panamax/Post Panamax/Neopanamax
6. Panamax
7. Feeders
8. Other Types of Cargo Ship
9. Tanker ships
10. Dry bulk carriers
11. Bulk carriers
12. Tugboats
13. Reefer ships
14. Barges
15. Ferryboats
16. Lighterage Vessels
17. Shipping Made Easy

Containers provide a quick, safe and efficient way of transporting your cargo all around the world, making it quick and easy to load and unload goods between different types of land and sea transportation.

Container shipping is one of the most cost-effective methods of moving freight from one location to another. In addition, the containers are designed to protect their contents from damage during transit.

They also allow you to move large amounts of cargo at once without worrying about how much space each item takes up in the truck or train.

The biggest advantage of container shipping is that they can travel overland and by water. This means that if you have an inland port, you can use this to ship your products to other countries.

If you don't have any ports nearby, you can still use ocean transport to get your goods where they need to go by transferring containers from one mode of transportation to another.

Containers: The Basics

Essentially, containers are pre-made shipping boxes into which goods are packed and ready for shipping. Generally, the goods are loaded and unloaded by using cranes or liftgates.

Containers usually vary in size from 20 feet to 40 feet but may go up to 46 feet. Many types of containers include intermodal containers, refrigerated containers, and dry boxes.

Intermodal containers have two systems: a refrigeration system and a ventilation system. Refrigerated containers only have a ventilation system.

Dry boxes only have a ventilation system and no refrigeration unit. Most dry boxes are used for transporting perishable goods like fruits and vegetables.

The size of container used varies depending on what type of product you want to ship. For example, if you're shipping furniture, you might use a 20-foot container, whereas if you've got something like electronics, you may need a 40-foot container. Either way, the container size will affect the type of vessel that can carry your cargo.

Most containers begin their journeys by road. Then, they are transported via trucks or trailers to ports where they are loaded onto ships. Depending on the route, shipping companies may also use rail transport.

So how does your cargo continue its journey once it leaves land? Most containers are loaded onto vessels that travel across oceans and seas. There is a wide variety of vessels on the oceans today, all with a specific purpose in the shipping industry.

Container Ships: A Closer Look

Container ships are vessels designed specifically for transporting cargo containers. These ships have been around since the 1950s and have revolutionized supply chains worldwide.

When the containers arrive at port, they are offloaded from the ship and placed into storage until needed again.

The most common type of vessel used for container shipping is called a roll-on/roll-off vessel (RO/RO). These vessels come with ramps so the containers can easily be lifted out of the water and rolled onto the vessel's deck.

RO/ROs are generally used for shipping significant quantities of cargo. They allow the ship to take on more cargo than it would normally be able to fit. Once the containers are loaded, the ship heads back out to sea. Roll-on/roll-off ships can either be self-propelled or towed behind a tugboat.

Container Ships by Size

To cut costs and take advantage of economies of scale, the size of container ships has been steadily increasing over the past few decades.

On the other hand, some factors restrict the size of modern container ships.

The two primary factors determining whether or not ultra-large container ships may be used are the availability of large main engines and the sufficient number of ports and terminals prepared and equipped to accept them.

In addition, the maximum ship dimensions allowed in several of the most important rivers in the world act as a ceiling for the expansion of vessels since some of the world's busiest container ports and routes have a natural limit on the size of vessels that they can handle.

Ultra-Large Container Vessel (ULCV)

An ultra-large container vessel is a new type of vessel that was introduced in 2014. It's capable of carrying over 10,000 TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units) of cargo.

The first ULCV was named Maersk Triple E, which has now been replaced by Maersk Triple H. This vessel can transport cargo across oceans at up to 25 knots.

New Panamax/Post Panamax/Neopanamax

A New Panamax is a much larger version of an old Panamax. It is capable of carrying more than 15,000 TEUs of freight.

The first New Panamax was named MSC Oscar and launched in 2015.

Panamax

Panamax is one of the largest container ships available today. It can transport cargo across oceans at speeds up to 24 knots.

The first Panamax was named Maersk Savannah, and it was launched back in 1995.

Feeders

These are smaller vessels that are usually used to feed into bigger ones. Feeder vessels are often used to move cargo between ports.

Some examples include tugboats, barges, and tugs. Feeders typically contain under 3000 TEU.

Other Types of Cargo Ship

In addition to container ships, several other types of vessels may assist in the movement of a freight shipment, depending on the nature of the goods and the sea route taken. Read on to find out more.

1) Tanker ships

Tanker ships are similar to container ships except that they carry liquid cargo instead of dry goods. Most tanker ships are oil tankers, but some are chemical tankers.

Tanker ships are much larger than container ships; many can carry over 100,000 barrels of oil at once.

2) Dry bulk carriers

Dry bulk carriers are ships designed to transport raw materials and products. In addition, these ships are often used for mining operations.

They are smaller than container ships and have fewer decks than tanker ships.

3) Bulk carriers

Bulk carriers are ships used to transport dry and liquid cargo. They can hold about ten times more cargo than a dry bulk carrier.

Bulk carriers are generally smaller than container ships and tanker ships, though.

4) Tugboats

Tugboats are small boats that tow larger ships. Tugs are used to move large ships along rivers and harbors.

They are also used to pull barges filled with cargo. Tugboats are also used to help move containerships from place to place.

5) Reefer ships

Reefer ships are specialized ships that are used to ship fresh produce around the world.

For example, a reefer ship will take fruits or vegetables from farms in California and Arizona, then store them in cold chambers until they reach their destination in Asia.

6) Barges

Barges are flat-bottomed ships that are used to transport cargo over long distances. Barges are especially useful for moving heavy loads over water, including rivers and canals.

7) Ferryboats

Ferryboats are small passenger ships that travel short distances. Many ferryboats operate within cities and towns, connecting people to places like airports, seaports, and piers. Some ferries also take on small amounts of cargo and deliver them to communities, especially in remote areas.

8) Lighterage Vessels

Lighterage vessels are used to transport lighter items over short distances. Lighterage vessels are often used to transport automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and even furniture.

Shipping Made Easy

Now you know what kinds of vessels are available for shipping. But how do you actually get your cargo from point A to point B? That is where freight providers come into play.

A comprehensive freight shipping service includes everything from container shipping, to flatbed trucking, to air freight. Freight providers will help you load your containers, arrange transportation, and unload them when you arrive at your destination.

Some companies offer only one type of shipping, while others specialize in multiple services. If you need to send an entire pallet of goods, you should consider using a freight provider with experience handling these shipments.

You can leverage this knowledge for your business to ensure your goods reach their destination safely.

At A-1 Auto Transport, we work with partners across the country to optimize shipping routes for your goods, ensuring that they're delivered safely and on time.

Contact us today to learn more about our extensive range of shipping options and our competitive intercontinental container shipping rates!