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Seaport Types and Cargoes

By Andy Jones

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 22Nov2009
Word count: 489
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Seaports around the world are a key part of the modern global trade infrastructure. Because they vary hugely in geographical location there can be many differences in the ways that they operate and deal with traffic and cargo. One of the keys to the safe navigation and utilisation of seaports is the availability of accurate and up to date port data. This can come in the form of port guides, port plans and a port directory. A port database will contain information on anything from approach information to cargo types.

Seaports broadly fall into two categories which are cruise ports and cargo ports. Cargo ports are further classified as container ports, bulk ports and break bulk ports. The vast majority of cargoes today are transported in containers which mean most seaports will be equipped to handle shipping containers. It is estimated there are approximately 17 million steel shipping containers worldwide; they are also known as intermodal containers because they can easily be transferred to road or rail for the onward 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 a cost effective and safe and secure method of moving small to 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. The ships that are able to carry bulk cargoes are called bulk carriers or bulk freighters the largest of which can carry up to 365,000 metric tonnes of deadweight. 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.

Andy writes for Shipping Guides Limited who offer a specialist port database. Vist today: http://www.portinfo.co.uk

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