| There are several types of vessels which can be | | | | shipping of large volumes of unpacked commodities. |
| used for international shipping. Different types of | | | | Business ventures in need of shipping commodities |
| ships are used for the various types of cargo that | | | | such as coal, rice, grains, and chemicals in bulk, will |
| are transported. The design of each particular ship is | | | | likely end up using a bulk carrier. |
| a result of the specific needs of both people and | | | | - Tankers - Tankers are for shipping liquids. For |
| businesses. | | | | example oil tankers are used for shipping huge |
| - Container ships - These ships only transport cargo | | | | amounts of oil internationally. All these ships do their |
| that is packed into standard 20' or 40' containers. | | | | business in basically two ways: |
| The containers are then stacked on the ship, one on | | | | - Liner vessels - There are numerous shipping |
| top of another just like Lego's. This is the main type | | | | companies with liner vessels that travel along |
| of vessel used foe the international shipping of | | | | permanent routes. Their schedules are usually set like |
| personal belongings. This form of shipping has | | | | clockwork and, therefore, shipping costs are fairly |
| significant security benefits since no one can see | | | | predictable. |
| inside the closed container and it can be lock and | | | | - Charter vessels - Charter vessels function according |
| sealed. | | | | to the whims of the people or businesses that |
| - General cargo ships - These ships transport various | | | | employ them. Their routes, point of departure, time |
| types of loose and even packaged goods. The | | | | schedules and costs are a function of market |
| numerous tons of fruits and vegetables are exported | | | | conditions. A good example of a charter vessel is an |
| worldwide each year are transported on cargo ships. | | | | oil tanker. As a matter of fact, an oil tanker does not |
| All major ports are well equipped to handle all types | | | | necessarily know what his final destination will be. |
| of cargo vessels. | | | | Even while in transport the oil tanker can still be |
| - Roll-on/roll-off ships - Vessels that ship passenger | | | | redirected to the highest bidder. The same is also |
| cars, trucks, and tractors. The name roll-on/roll-off | | | | true for other commodities. This concludes our first |
| describes exactly the way the vehicles board the | | | | article in our series on the use oceanic transport |
| ship. Usually through a ramp that leads directly into | | | | vessels for international shipping. Next time we will |
| the belly of the ship. Almost all international car | | | | discuss how goods, commodities, or any items are |
| shipping is done using roll-on/roll-off vessels. | | | | actually carried on the ships. |
| - Bulk carriers - Bulks carriers are engineered for the | | | | |