subject: Cargoes And Seaport Types [print this page] Across the world, seaports are key to the modern trade infrastructure. There may be many differences in the manner in which they deal with traffic and cargo. One aspect of safe navigation of these ports is the availability of comprehensive port data. This may include port guides, port directories or port plans. These may be in the form of a port database that can hold a vast amount of port data.
Seaports broadly fall into two categories which are cruise ports and cargo ports. Cargo ports are further classed as bulk ports, break bulk ports and container ports. The majority of cargos now are transported in containers, so most seaports will be capable of handling these. It is estimated there are approximately 17 million steel shipping containers worldwide; they may also be known as intermodal containers as they can be transferred easily to rail or road for the remainder of the journey. Container cranes, which are a type of dockside gantry crane, load and unload shipping containers. Containers are usually loaded one at a time by the crane but some newer types of crane can load up to four at a time. The containers are attached to the ship and each other for the voyage using a universal twistlock fitting. Containers can be identified individually by an ISO marking that includes a BIC code that records the owner. Containers are cost effective and a secure way of transporting small or medium sized cargo items.
Bulk ports are a more specialised type of cargo port and may sometimes only deal with one particular type of cargo such as oil, natural gas, bauxite, coal, cement, minerals and grains. Bulk cargoes are classified as being in a liquid or dry state and can usually be dropped or poured during loading. Ships that are capable of carrying bulk cargo are known as 'bulk carriers' or 'bulk freighters', the largest of which may carry 365000 metric tonnes. Some bulk carriers are able to load and unload cargo without port assistance with the help of built in cranes or conveyor belts.
Break bulk cargo is defined as cargo that needs to be loaded individually against containerised or bulk cargo that can be handled in far greater quantities more efficiently. The break bulk method was the main historical method for transporting goods before containerisation and bulk transportation methods but has now greatly declined as it can be a labour and time intensive way of loading. Examples of break bulk cargo include bales, bags, wooden shipping containers, metal drums and cars. The one advantage of the break bulk method is that it doesn't require any specialised loading equipment so can be done outside of specialised seaports.
A good port guide will supply detailed information on the cargo handling capabilities of most global seaports.
by: Andy Jones
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