Types of Container Ships
Container ships have passed through different phases, and these phases have been classified as generations:
First generation: 1956-1970
Second generation: 1970-1980
Third generation: 1980-1988
Fourth generation: 1988-2000
Fifth generation: 2000-2005
Sixth generation: 2006-present
Besides generations, container vessels can be classified based on handling modes, sizes, and service ranges.
Handling Modes
Lift-on/Load-off (LoLo) container ship: LoLo ships are geared, meaning they can load and discharge the fright themselves using the ship's crane. They can operate without port cranes and do cargo operations independently.
ROCON container ship: ROCON ships feature arrangements that are such that the containers can be loaded on the deck or there is a separate hold for loading containers.
Container Ship Sizes
There are many types of container ships based on size, but the main ones are:
Panamax: Panamax ships were first introduced in 1980 and were of around 4,000-5,000 TEUs. They were limited to the max length of 294.1m, a breadth of 32.3m, and a draught of 12m so they could pass through the Panama canal.
Post-Panamax: American President Lines (APL) introduced new transportation, creating the post-Panamax type. In 1996, the introduction of Regina Mærsk initiated a new development in the container ship market with a capacity of 6,400 TEUs. In addition, the concept of cellular container ships was introduced wherein the cell guides ran from the bottom of the hold to tiers above the deck. This reduced expenses for ship owners because no lashing materials were used to secure the containers. Moreover, it accelerated loading and discharging and reduced container shifting.
Suezmax: Suezmax ships have nearly the same size as the Suez Canal, with an average capacity of around 12,000 TEUs, breadth of about 50-57m, and a draught of between 14.4-16.4m.
Post-Suezmax: Post-Suezmax container ships are large, with a carrying capacity of 18,000 TEUs, a breadth of 60m, and a draught of 21m. These ships are called post-Suezmax because their dimensions are too big to pass through the Suez canal.
Post-Malacamax: Post-Malacamax vessels are ultra-large container ships, with a size that emulates the maximum permissible draught of 21m of Malacca Strait. For a ship of this size to enter the ports, the port authorities must be ready. Currently, only two ports in the world can accept this size of the ship - one in Singapore and the other in Rotterdam.
Service Range
Feeder ships are used for short routes no longer than 500nm and trade only in the coastal areas. Their capacity does not exceed 1,500 TEU.
Mother ships are much bigger than feeders and are used in international trade.
ISO Containers
Intermodal or ISO containers are used to ship cargo and are designed for transportation by more than one mode, such as rail and truck or ship and rail. These shipping containers conform to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) container manufacturing standards. ISO is an international standards organization headquartered in Geneva.
ISO containers are made in several standard designs, including dry, insulated, flat-rack, refrigerated, open-top, and tank. Dry ISO containers are enclosed, box-type containers used for general-purpose transportation.
ISO containers are produced in standard sizes with a width of 8 feet, a height of 8 feet and 6 inches or 9 feet and 6 inches, and a length of 20 and 40 feet. Some also come with a length of 45 feet.
