Before containerisation
Cargo used to be loaded using slings, nets, pallets (wooden boards on which cargo is placed), and other equipment
Slings and nets were typical cargo handling techniques used for ships like this.
Using the so-called “break-bulk” method of cargowork,
- Individual items of cargo had to be handled, often one at a time, meaning that cargowork took a long time and required large teams of stevedores (the workers who load and unload the cargo;
- Because cargo was handled so many times, it was often damaged;
- Cargo was sometimes stolen, either by crew members or by the stevedores ;
- Because cargowork took so long, ships often spent weeks in port, costing time and therefore money.
- Weather-sensitive cargo (bags of cement; paper; bags of grain, and other cargoes that must not get wet) could not be handled during rain; therefore rain delays to cargowork were frequent
- It was labour-intensive, costing money
Multi-purpose ships still carry break-bulk cargo using slings, pallets, nets and other equipment to load and discharge their cargoes.
Cargo is still loaded like this in many break-bulk ships, especially where shoreside infrastructure cannot handle containers adequately.
Before containerisation: Slide 1 of 3
Cargo used to be loaded using slings, nets, etc.
Before containerisation: Slide 2 of 3
Slings and nets were typical cargo handling techniques used for ships like this.
Before containerisation: Slide 3 of 3
Using the so-called “break-bulk” method of cargowork,
- Cargo was often damaged
- Cargo was sometimes stolen
- Ships often spent weeks in port, costing time and therefore money.
- Weather-sensitive cargo could not be handled during rain
- It was labour-intensive, costing money
The development of containerisation
What is containerisation?
- It is regarded as the greatest revolution in sea transport since steamships replaced sailing ships.
- It is a system of freight transport using containers of an internationally standardised size that can be loaded onto specially-designed ships, trucks, trains.
- It enables the smooth transfer of cargo from one medium of transport to another, from a ship to a train or to a truck, i.e. it promotes intermodalism.
The development of containerisation: Slide 1 of 9
The container!
The development of containerisation: Slide 2 of 9
Malcolm McLean - The man who is regarded as the pioneer of containerisation. Source of photograph unknown.
The development of containerisation: Slide 3 of 9
Ideal X, the first containership (actually a converted tanker). During her first voyage in her new configuration, on April 26, 1956, Ideal X carried 58 containers from Port Newark to Houston where 58 trucks were waiting to be loaded with the containers. Source of photograph unknown.
The development of containerisation: Slide 4 of 9
Two standard sizes of container • 20 FEET (6 metres approx.) • 40 FEET (12 metres approx.)
The development of containerisation: Slide 5 of 9
20 FEET (6 metres approx.) one 20-FOOT CONTAINER = one TEU TEU = TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNIT 20-footers not used as widely as before.
The development of containerisation: Slide 6 of 9
40 FEET (12 metres approx.) one 40-FOOT CONTAINER = two TEU or one FEU Now used for most ocean shipments.
The development of containerisation: Slide 7 of 9
The development of containerisation: Slide 8 of 9
A Locking device
B Fitting into which the spreader locks for lifting.
C Each container has its own number.
The development of containerisation: Slide 9 of 9
Container management
- Some containers are owned by the liner company.
- Some are leased (hired) from their owners by shipping companies .
Some definitions relating to container shipping
Container terminal: A place in a harbour where containers are loaded onto a ship or discharged from a ship.
Inland container terminal: (e.g. Johannesburg)
- An inland container terminal enables customs clearing to occur away from the coast, and helps to relieve congestion at container terminals at the harbours.
- Containers are gathered at an inland terminal for onward movement to the harbours.
Container stack: A demarcated area in a container terminal where containers for one ship are kept for up to 72 hours before they are loaded onto the ship. The term stack also applies to a demarcated area in the container terminal where imported containers are kept before being cleared by customs and removed from the harbour.
Container depot: Place where:
- cargo is loaded into containers or removed from containers (usually LCLs – see later reference to LCL and FCL)
- containers are kept in bond (this means that the containers are awaiting “clearing” by customs or are waiting to be loaded onto another ship to be taken to another port)
- empty containers are stored until required
- containers are repaired, painted, cleaned, etc
Management of containers: Slide 1 of 9
A ships’ container capacity is given in TEU. For example: 3900 TEU or 1700 TEU.
Management of containers: Slide 2 of 9
Container terminal: A place where containers are loaded onto a ship or discharged from a ship.
Management of containers: Slide 3 of 9
Trucks with reefer containers
Management of containers: Slide 4 of 9
Loading a container
Management of containers: Slide 5 of 9
Removing the hatch cover (A) to load containers in the hold. Note the orange device (B) that is used to connect to the container so that it can be lifted. This device is called a spreader. Note also the containers stowed on the hatch cover next to the open hold (C).
Management of containers: Slide 6 of 9
A container being loaded into a hold on a containership. Note the lashing (A) on containers.
Management of containers: Slide 7 of 9
Inland container terminal (e.g. Johannesburg) • Enables customs clearing to occur away from the coast. • Containers are gathered there for onward movement to the ports.
Management of containers: Slide 8 of 9
Container stack: A place in a container terminal where containers are kept for up to 72 hours before they are loaded onto a ship.
Management of containers: Slide 9 of 9
Straddle carriers move containers within some container terminals.