Chapter 6-7

Question 1

What are 5 advantages of container ships

Answer 1

The handling of the goods between seller and buyer is reduced, leading to less damage

Goods are protected against the weather at all stages of their handling and are protected in the stow by other containers

There’s generally less loss of cargo due to theft compared to general cargo

It is a multimodal form of transportations able to be carried easily at sea, on rail or by lorry

Containers can be handled rapidly with modern high-speed equipment, leading to a reduction in port turn-round time of the ships

Question 2

What are 5 disadvantages of container ships

Answer 2

Waste of space and loss of potential revenue if ships are not carrying maximum capacity, over-stowage, short-landing;

Loss of revenue due to partial loads and empty containers

Time restraints and inability to maintain ETA due to any interruption in the pre-set programme has adverse effect on efficiency.

Smuggling of contraband

Carriage of Dangerous goods may cause serious health, safety and environmental issues in case of an accidental fire or spillage particularly due to accessibility.

Question 3

How many container types are there

Answer 3

11

Question 4

What are the container types

Answer 4

General purpose
Open Top
Open sided
Flat Rack
Bolster or Platform
Ventilated
Fantainer
Insulates or Conair
Reefer
Bulker
Tanker

Question 5

What does ISO stand for

Answer 5

International Organization for Standardisation

Question 6

What does CSC stand for

Answer 6

Convention for Safe Containers

Question 7

What are the objectives of CSC

Answer 7

.1 To maintain a high level of safety of human life in the transport and handling of containers by providing generally acceptable test procedures and related strength requirements which have proved to be adequate over the years, and,

.2 To facilitate the international transport of containers by providing uniform international safety Regulations, which are equally applicable to all modes of surface transport. This will avoid the proliferation of divergent national safety Regulations.

Question 8

Containers must have a what

Answer 8

CSC safety approval

Question 9

All containers should have a

Answer 9

Cargo Stowage and Securing Declaration

Question 10

What is it called to stow 40ft containers on top of 20ft containers

Answer 10

Russian stowage

Question 11

What are containers measured in

Answer 11

TEU

Question 12

TEU

Answer 12

Twenty foot Equivalent Unit

Question 13

Container positions:
- what numbers are 20ft containers?
- what numbers are starboard?
- what numbers are on deck

Answer 13

odd bays= 20ft containers
odd rows= starboard
tiers above 80= on deck

Question 14

Containers are required to be inspected and certified on their structural integrity and condition every 30 months, Who’s responsibility is it to ensure this happens?

Answer 14

The owner of the container

Question 15

Explain the system for container stowage locations on container ships:

Answer 15

BAY- longitudinal position
The bay refers to the position of the container along the length of the ship, from the bow to the stern.

ROW- lateral position
The row refers to the position of a container across the ship’s width, from port to starboard

TIER- vertical position
The tier refers to the vertical level of a container within a bay.

Question 16

What do the ISO have to do with containers

Answer 16

the ISO standardises container requirements and ensures thecontainers meet the size and durability requirements to allow them to stack safely and uniformly on vessels and trains.

Question 17

What does ACEP stand for

Answer 17

Approved Continuous Examination Programme

Question 18

ISO containers are inspected every __ months by a certified inspector to ensure the container is within specifications.

The main inspection process followed is the?

Answer 18

30
ACEP

Question 19

What additional measures compared to a standard container must be taken when carrying self contained reefer containers?
x6

Answer 19

The reefer container must be connected to the ship’s power as soon as possible after being loaded, and the time loaded and plugged in logged.

The temperature setting on the reefer must be compared against the temperature setting on the cargo manifest

Air vents should be set to allow gases to exhaust, as per the shipper’s instructions.

Regular checks should be made of the temperature whilst on voyage

Any problems whilst on voyage must be recorded with as much detail as possible to help in the event of claims against spoiled/damaged cargo.

When discharging, the container should be unplugged from the ship’s power as close to the discharge time as is safe and practicable. The time unplugged and unloaded must be recorded.

Question 20

Give 5 examples of reefer cargoes

Answer 20

Fruits
Fish
Dairy
Pharmaceuticals
X-ray Films

Question 21

What are the preparations needed for reefer containers

Answer 21

Cleaning- normally involve washing down with an approved disinfectant solution

Freeing of odours- will be largely achieved in the cleaning process. In extreme cases where insulation has become contaminated it may require replacing.

Pre-cooling- Pre-cooling of the cargo space and all fittings is achieved by bringing the temperature down to slightly below the carrying temperature and maintaining it for 24 hours before loading can commence.

Question 22

What are advantages and disadvantages of direct expansion grid cooling

Answer 22

Cheapest method of cooling chambers, cooling grids are fixed at the source of heat ingress and cooling can be continued throughout cargo operations.

Variations in grid temperature due to ship movements may affect the cooling; there are problems with leakage, may have problems fitting grids around holds and hatch covers and usually only commercially viable for smaller vessels and homogeneous cargoes.

Question 23

How does a brine battery cooling system work

Answer 23

Brine is cooled using a conventional refrigeration system and the cooled brine is then circulated using the brine pump and fixed pipelines around the holds. Air is then blown across the cold brine and circulated throughout the hold. The salinity of the solution can be adjusted in order to lower freezing point of the brine.

Question 24

Advantages and disadvantages of a brine battery cooling system

Answer 24

No need to circulate the expensive refrigerant gas throughout the holds
Easier to control temperature as less pipelines contain the refrigerant
No possibility of gas leakage in the hold
Brine is a relatively inexpensive coolant

Expensive to install therefore high capital costs
Air trunks required in holds reducing cargo space,
Air is blown through the hold which may dry the cargo
The plant cannot run while loading operation is in progress.

Question 25

Outline 5 duties of an OOW when loading containers

Answer 25

Ensure that all containers are stowed in the same positions as shown on the pre-stowage plan. This is to check that containers are properly separated for each discharge port, and that the weight distribution is compatible with stress and stability requirements.

Examine all seals to check they have not been tampered with

Check all open or unsealed containers, including empties, for stowaways and contraband

Report any damaged containers. Special attention should be given to all containers being stowed on deck, to ensure that rain or seas cannot pass through any damage to the container shell and cause damage to the goods

Ensure that reefers are connected to the ship’s electrical supply as soon as they are loaded, and that it is operating properly. Check the settings, and verify these agree with the requirements of the shipping documents. Log the temperature at the time of loading and discharge.