my first ship

Onboard container ships, there are large hatch openings which allow stowage of lot of containers in the hatches and aslo above the large hatch covers.
This facilitates maximum use of cargo spaces in container ships.

It is interesting to know that the containers are of two different sizes:

Their sizes are defined in terms of EU(Equivalent Units) which is international standard for the container ships and port terminal facilities to standardize their use world wide.

• FEU (Fourty Equivalent Unit).Its dimensions are 40 feet x 8 feet x 8 feet.One FEU is equivalent to 25 metric tons or 72 cubic meters if filled with water.
• TEU (Twenty Equivalent Unit). Its dimensions are 20 feet x 8 feet x 8 feet (8.6 feet precisely).

Container PartsThe main components of a container are described below with accompanying diagram.

 

• Corner Post: Vertical frame components located at the corners of freight containers and integral with the corner castings and floor structures.
• Corner Castings: Fittings located at the corner of the freight container which provide means for lifting, handling, stacking and securing the container.
• Header and Sill: In way of door entrance with overhead horizontal header frame and similar floor level threshold sill.
• Front-End Frame: The structure at the front end of the container (opposite the door end) consisting of top and bottom rails attached to the front corner posts and the corner castings.
• Top Rail: Longitudinal structural members located at the top edge on either side of the freight container.
• Bottom Rail: Longitudinal structural members located at the bottom edge on either side of the freight container.
• Cross-members: A series of transverse beams at approximately 12 inch centers attached to the bottom side rail and an integral part of the floor frame support.
• Floor: The floor may be hard or soft laminated wood, planks or plywood.
• Roof: Roof bows are the undermost structure of the roof and are usually placed at 18 or 24 inch centers. Modern steel GP containers (except open top containers) are not fitted with roof bows but will have corrugated or flat steel sheet roofs welded to the frame members.
• Aluminum containers have aluminum sheathing, bonded with adhesive to the roof bows and riveted to the top rails and headers. GRP containers have fiberglass reinforced plywood panels fastened to the rail and headers. The roof is the part of the container most vulnerable to damage.
• Sides & Front: Modern steel GP containers will have corrugated steel panels. Aluminum containers have aluminum sheathing on the sides and front of the container which are affixed to aluminum stringers which are in turn bolted to the top and bottom rails and also to the front end frame. The stringers may be on the outside or inside of the sheathing. GRP containers do not use stringers for supporting the fiberglass reinforced plywood panels. The side and the front of steel containers are made of corrugated steel sheets eliminating stringers.
• Doors: Doors may be ply-metal (plywood core with steel or aluminum facings), corrugated, or combinations with fiberglass. The hinged doors have plastic or rubber lined door gaskets as seals against water ingress.
• Security seal: Used in conjunction with locking mechanism in order to seal the containers for security purposes. These seals are numbered and often color coded.

Watch the Short Video Here...

When the container is stowed inside the cargo hold, it is directed and secured against moving by the CELL GUIDES. These guides help the container to be stored intact throughout.






LASHING

 Defined as linking device used to secure and fasten two or more items together in a somewhat rigid manner.
It is a key for a safe ship as it keeps the containers stacked in secure manner even when ship is experiencing heavy dynamic movements.

Lashing Equipment


Turnbuckles.