Cargoes. Difference between bulk cargoes and general cargoes

Cargoes carried by ships are of two kinds: bulk cargoes and general cargoes. Bulk cargoes may be either solid (grain, ore, coal, green sugar, sulphur) or liquid (oil products, wine, fresh water, spirits). All bulk cargoes are usually shipped in bulk without tare. 

General cargoes represent various goods differently packed. Goods packed in bags, cases, bales and drums are considered as general cargoes. For example, if green sugar is shipped in the hold without tare, in bulk, it is a bulk cargo and if it is packed in bags, we can consider it as general cargo.

It frequently happens that some varieties of cargo are carried on deck. It is to be understood that in this case "on deck" means on an uncovered space and that the cargo is exposed to weather.

Loading cargo. Before loading a ship a cargo plan must be drawn up

Before loading a ship a cargo plan must be drawn up. This document is usually drawn up at the Chief Controller's office since this office directs cargo work in the sea-port. While abroad the Agent and the Master draw up a cargo plan. When the plan is ready the stevedore may begin loading. 

Firstly, he secures the necessary number of gangs, secondly he supplies the tackles which the dockers need in their work and at last the stevedore supervises the correct tonnage allotment for the holds. He checks up if cargoes are stowed and trimmed properly. Even stowage of cargoes secures a reliable stability of the ship loaded.

Types of cargo ships

Cargo ships may be of two types: a) dry-cargo ships and b) tankers.

Dry-cargo ships are divided into the following classes: general cargo ships, bulk cargo ships (ore carriers, coal carriers, grain carriers), container's ships, timber carriers; refrigerators.

Tankers usually carry liquid cargoes such as oil products, spirits, wine, fresh water and the like. In some cases the tankers may carry grain and sugar in their tanks. Besides there are special vessels which do auxiliary service. They are tugs for towing ships, salvage vessels, icebreakers, dredgers, barges and lighters, fishing and whaling vessels.

Sea-going vessels are also classed according to the kind of propelling machinery into:
motorvessels, steamships, turbine-driven ships, electric-driven ships (turbine-electric ships and diesel-electric ships) and atomic- driven ships.