My Experience as an Engineer, as a Mariner.

[nozzlering]

These days we have ships that can carry over 13000 containers too! With the introduction of multimodal transport system, shipping has changed drastically. Speed and volume of goods transported has increased many fold.
I have no idea what cars are parked there. Infact it was quite far from me. I zoomed in and clicked it. Most probably, it'll be Hyundai or KIA motors cars.

 

[Gurrala74]

AH !! Nozzle,

Thank you for the pics, which I have seen for the first time in my life. So I was wondering that how the cars get transported in ship and how many, but looking at the pics, that is really mind blowing size of containers and with that I just can't imagine the ship size which takes all of them !! Nice posts Nozzle which are very informative and not very easy to know from elsewhere. Thank you for time doing this

 

[nozzlering]

As I mentioned earlier, the ship has holds similar to multi storey car parking area. The cars are parked and secured. These are supposed to be very expensive cargo. A minor scratch means big claims. Utmost care is taken.
Same goes with refrigerated containers. We have to maintain power supply to them all the time. And also ensure the temperature is within the range. Some cargo are very sensitive to minor temperature changes. So again, any variation invites claims.
Every small and big business is directly or indirectly dependent on shipping industry.
Most of our petroleum is imported. Imagine a day without fuel! And crucial parts of many of the cars running on Indian roads. They too are imported. Lot many things, as ai mentioned earlier.
Anyways, we're slowly heading towards Shanghai. Port is congested there. So we need to anchor there once we reach. By the way, one anchor on this ship weighs about 12 tons. Each ship has 2.

 

[sethumurugan]

As I mentioned earlier, the ship has holds similar to multi storey car parking area. The cars are parked and secured. These are supposed to be very expensive cargo. A minor scratch means big claims. Utmost care is taken.
Same goes with refrigerated containers. We have to maintain power supply to them all the time. And also ensure the temperature is within the range. Some cargo are very sensitive to minor temperature changes. So again, any variation invites claims.
Every small and big business is directly or indirectly dependent on shipping industry.
Most of our petroleum is imported. Imagine a day without fuel! And crucial parts of many of the cars running on Indian roads. They too are imported. Lot many things, as ai mentioned earlier.
Anyways, we're slowly heading towards Shanghai. Port is congested there. So we need to anchor there once we reach. By the way, one anchor on this ship weighs about 12 tons. Each ship has 2.

When the ship is anchored will it not move? And in one of the post we found that you will be back to India and with ur family soon.

We are expecting you. Hope you will join the meet for sure.

Guralla sir, some where you have said you have not been to Kanyakumari Vivekandanda rock. Just see a pic with Vivekanda rock, Thiruvalluvar statue and the boat near by

 

[Gurrala74]

When the ship is anchored will it not move? And in one of the post we found that you will be back to India and with ur family soon.

We are expecting you. Hope you will join the meet for sure.

Guralla sir, some where you have said you have not been to Kanyakumari Vivekandanda rock. Just see a pic with Vivekanda rock, Thiruvalluvar statue and the boat near by
View attachment 67309

Sethu,

Thank you for the pic. I had been to Kanyakumari with my M800 from Hyderabad in 2007 was just standing near a wall says something like NH42 ends here and after that wall the sea starts. So standing there I have seen the same view which you have posted in pic. I have told you I am afraid of water, So I could not go in that boat to Vivekananda Rock !!

 

[nozzlering]

When anchor is dropped, the ship has very little movement about the anchor. Imagine a floating object tied by a rope at one end. The other end can move, but is limited to the length of the rope. Thats it.
There are some ships which supply things to oil rigs/ platforms. They use technology by which they can float at a particular position with high precision, using satellite signals.

Anyways, ship's diesel engines too have evolved a lot like our car/truck engines. Now ships also have common rail direct injection system (direct injection was always there). These days they too have ICU controlled engines, similar to our car engines. Turbochargers have been integral part of ship's engines, ever since I can remember. And recently some of them have Variable Geometry turbos too. Even my car has one.

 

[sethumurugan]

As I mentioned earlier, the ship has holds similar to multi storey car parking area. The cars are parked and secured. These are supposed to be very expensive cargo. A minor scratch means big claims. Utmost care is taken.
Same goes with refrigerated containers. We have to maintain power supply to them all the time. And also ensure the temperature is within the range. Some cargo are very sensitive to minor temperature changes. So again, any variation invites claims.
Every small and big business is directly or indirectly dependent on shipping industry.
Most of our petroleum is imported. Imagine a day without fuel! And crucial parts of many of the cars running on Indian roads. They too are imported. Lot many things, as ai mentioned earlier.
Anyways, we're slowly heading towards Shanghai. Port is congested there. So we need to anchor there once we reach. By the way, one anchor on this ship weighs about 12 tons. Each ship has 2.

When anchor is dropped, the ship has very little movement about the anchor. Imagine a floating object tied by a rope at one end. The other end can move, but is limited to the length of the rope. Thats it.
There are some ships which supply things to oil rigs/ platforms. They use technology by which they can float at a particular position with high precision, using satellite signals.

Anyways, ship's diesel engines too have evolved a lot like our car/truck engines. Now ships also have common rail direct injection system (direct injection was always there). These days they too have ICU controlled engines, similar to our car engines. Turbochargers have been integral part of ship's engines, ever since I can remember. And recently some of them have Variable Geometry turbos too. Even my car has one.

That is nice to know that.

You mean to say that the anchor will down until it reaches the ground level? how it will be released? Sorry if am asking some basic questions.

 

[nozzlering]

Ok. will try to explain in layman terms. Can ask anything Sethu sir.
There's a winch, which can heave or lower the anchor chain. And one end of this chain is connected to the anchor. The anchor goes down till touches sea bed. Obviously, cant be used in very deep waters. And like the anchor, chain too is enormous.

 

[autosafari]

Nozzlering,

some doubts about container ship.

Containers are just stacked vertcally. What is the maximum height possible or how many containers can be stalked vertically.

What happens during an emergency braking?
Considering that those containers are stalked by just placing one over the other and its there till the edges of the deck.

 

[nozzlering]

Hmm.Container ships, also called cellular container ships, have cell guides inside cargo holds. The containers just slide in, one over another. Once full, the Hatch cover is put back. And then more containers are stacked over the hatch covers. Each containers top and bottom corners have recess for fitting a locking device called twist locks. Once in place, the twist locks are activated. Also they are secured by iron bars. So in short well secured. They hold good even in bad weather.
Ships braking is altogether different than our automobiles. Its not instantaneous. It loses speed gradually. So not a concern at all.
Maximum height to which containers can be stacked one upon another depends upon various factors. Capacity of ship (the container should not hinder safe visibility from navigation bridge), type of container, condition of containers (loaded/ unloaded),etc. Maximum I have seen is 7 high. That means 7 containers one upon another, above hatch cover. It is more on bigger ships.

 

[sethumurugan]

How that locking device called twist locks will be. I have seen container closely on many occasions. I can visualize the recess for fitting. But I thought it is for locking the container in truck [ there i have seen those locks which will be fitter in the truck] like that how the lock will be in ship. Because, bottom does not have any lock, just a provision for locking. I do not know about top since i have not seen the top till date.

 

[nozzlering]

The busy schedule continues. By the time we are out of one port, its already the time to enter the next one.
more pics for you.

Top corner of containers.


Twist locks. The containers rest, and are secured on these locks.


A MAN truck being transported like a container.


A small yacht.


These gantry cranes are responsible for our ever shrinking port stays. These buggers are very fast. I hate them.


A big ship, and a small ship. Note the size difference. One man made thing dwarfed by another.


This one is crankshaft of a ship's main engine. You can imagine the size of the engine.

 

[Akash]

Excellent pics once again.

And why do you hate those gantry crane, since they do their job fast and leave you with no other option but to stay on ship rather than have a tour of the city. I guess these remote operated cranes are more or less similar to the Tower cranes we use on land. I must say they are a boon and a lot better than the traditional cranes.

 

[sethumurugan]

@nozzelring - I am shocked to see the crankshaft size man. Amazed to see those container stacks. it is really great to be part of a big Ship

 

[Iron Rock]

Maximum I have seen is 7 high. That means 7 containers one upon another, above hatch cover. It is more on bigger ships.

I think your max should be 8 rather (courtesy the pics you shared )