Introduction
Approximately 80% of global trade travels across the oceans on cargo ships, allowing products to reach their destinations around the world efficiently.
What are cargo vessels?
Cargo vessels are essential for transporting large volumes of goods from one port to another around the world, being the means of maritime transport that offers the greatest storage capacity.
Their role is crucial within the global supply chain, as they facilitate the efficient movement of goods between ports in different countries and even continents, ensuring a constant flow of products internationally.
Types of cargo vessels
General Cargo Vessels
They are known as the all-terrain vehicles of maritime transport due to their capacity to transport a wide variety of goods, from manufactured products to raw materials. This means of transport stands out for its versatility, easily adapting to different types of cargo and being essential in global logistics.
Container ships
These vessels are specialized in the transport of standardized containers, allowing efficient loading and unloading at ports worldwide. Their optimized design facilitates the management of large volumes of goods, contributing to the streamlining of logistics operations in international maritime transport.
Bulk Carriers
They specialize in the transportation of bulk goods, i.e., unpackaged and unpackaged products. These may include a variety of materials, such as minerals, coal, fertilizers and other similar products. They are mainly divided into two types: “dry” bulk carriers, which transport non-liquid products, and oil tankers, which are designed for the transport of crude oil and petroleum products.
Oil Tanker Vessels
They are essential for the safe and efficient transport of petroleum products. In addition to crude oil, these vessels transport refined products such as jet fuel, diesel and gasoline.
fuel, diesel and gasoline. Their role is crucial in the global energy supply chain, facilitating the distribution of fuels worldwide and ensuring the supply of energy resources to various industries.
Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) Vessels
They are unique in their ability to transport rolling vehicles, such as heavy machinery and other mobile equipment. Thanks to their specialized design, they allow cargo to roll in and out of the vessel, facilitating fast and efficient loading and unloading. They are essential for transporting large equipment and offer an ideal solution for the mobility of vehicles and machinery globally.
Car-Carriers Vessels
They are known for their ability to transport vehicles, including cars, trucks and other rolling stock. This type of vessel is vital to the automotive industry, enabling the efficient transport of newly manufactured vehicles from factories to international markets. Thanks to their optimized design, Car-Carriers ensure fast and safe delivery of vehicles along major global trade routes.
Refrigerated Cargo Vessels
They are designed for the transport of perishable products. Equipped with sophisticated refrigeration systems, these vessels ensure that goods are kept in ideal conditions throughout the journey, preserving their quality and freshness until their final destination. They are essential for the global trade of food and other temperature-sensitive products.
Specialized Cargo Vessels
These are vessels designed to transport goods that require specific conditions or structures. These include chemical tankers, used for the transport of chemical products, gas carriers, specialized in the transport of liquefied gases, and forestry cargo vessels, which are intended for the transport of timber and derived products. Each of these vessels is adapted to ensure safety and efficiency in the transport of these particular products.
Heavy Lift Vessels
They are designed to transport heavy and bulky goods that cannot be moved by conventional vessels. Equipped with special cranes and systems, these vessels are essential for transporting industrial machinery, heavy equipment and components for large construction projects. Their ability to handle exceptional cargoes makes them a vital component in the logistics of large-scale projects.
What are the differences between Ro-Ro vessels and Car-Carrier vessels?
Ro-Ro vessels are designed to transport vehicles and equipment of various characteristics, such as heavy machinery and trucks, allowing them to be loaded and unloaded by means of ramps. Car-Carriers are specifically designed to transport passenger vehicles,such as cars and trucks. They are distinguished by specialized ramps and elevators that facilitate efficient loading and unloading of vehicles, with an optimized design to maximize space and ensure safety during transport.
If you would like to learn more about shipping and the various types of cargo vessels, we invite you to visit our IPSS website, where you can explore detailed articles on international logistics and the crucial role that ships play in global trade. Discover how these specialized vessels contribute to the efficient movement of goods worldwide and their importance within the international supply chain.
