LOADING/UNLOADING OF VESSELS’ OPERATIONS BY THE USE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL MEANS

LOADING/UNLOADING OF VESSELS’ OPERATIONS BY THE USE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL MEANS

It goes without saying that vessels consist the most cost efficient way of transportation.
However, is that enough for such option of goods transportation for a company?
How safe are the transported commodities and by which tools, such safety of cargoes transportation is ensured?
We have met Mr. Spiros Malliaroudakis, Managing Director of S.A. Malliaroudakis Maritime (UK) Ltd., with whom we have discussed about the Loading Instrument "Multiload© for Windows", which contributes to more efficient, quicker but also safer loading/unloading operations.
 

As Mr. Malliaroudakis explained to us, the loading/unloading operation of a vessel is particularly crucial for the safety not only of the cargo but also of the ship herself. Therefore, there is strict regulation for stability and strength aspects. The impression generated around the vessels’ strength given their considerable volume, is as outlined by Mr. Malliaroudakis, false, considering the fact that the thickness of plate is about 22 mm while their length is about 220 meters and their breadth about 19 meters, which surprisingly proves that in ratio the hull is much thinner than the shell of an egg.

If on the above, we take into consideration the bad weather conditions under which the ships are sailing, as well as the operational restrictions of the ports (ie: Draught Restrictions), then the proper loading/unloading operation is of utmost importance. Moreover, as particularly mentioned by Mr. Malliaroudakis, when a vessel is at port, a certain loading/unloading sequence shall be followed, and not necessary from aft to forward, while if a vessel of 170 meter length load only on the aft and forward part, it is very likely to suffer from damage, before her leave from harbor.

From the above, it is conceived that the triptych, strength, cost of construction/operation and trading pattern, is elementary for the choice of a vessel and the management of her potential cargoes.

Multiload© for Windows

This system is a program that pre-calculates the loading of a ship ensuring the maximum allowable cargo intake in correlation with International Conventions and Regulations in terms of Stability and Strength. This product is tuned as per ship specific aspects, adjusting their loading to the potential port restrictions of several port calls worldwide. Multiload for Windows covers all ship types amongst bulk carriers, tanker ships, general cargo vessels, container ships, vessels with dangerous cargoes, LPG, LNG, Ro-Ro, passenger vessels, motorships from 2.000 to 500.000 tons etc. The superiority of "Multiload for Windows" is attributed to its simplicity and to its easy-to-use philosophy, considering, as mentioned by Mr. Malliaroudakis, that this software has been designed from Naval Architects & Marine Engineers oriented to Mariners and not from Naval Architects & Marine Engineers oriented to Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, outlining in that way its practical orientation. During Mr. Malliaroudakis presentation, it was explained that the program is based on simple question on every screen and the only thing that requires is the input of cargo details (ie. Stowage Factor, Type) as well as possible restrictions (ie. port draft restrictions, transit from Panama Canal (maximum allowable draught is 12.04m (tropical fresh water) and maximum allowable breadth is 32.20m)) avoiding in that way considerable delays. In particular, the parameters that are taken into account are distinguished into operational and technical ones. To begin with, "load line" is defined and the allowable strength limits in harbor and at sea are calculated. Then, any check concerning port draught restriction is effected, based on which the maximum DWT of the vessel is calculated. Besides the loading operation, it is possible to assess the F.O./D.O. quantities required for the several stages of a voyage, along with time and bunkering call depending on the covered miles and consumption figures. Further, concerning the technical parameters, according to Mr. Malliaroudakis quote, “the shipowner is not well aware in full depth of all the vessel’s capabilities and technical aspects, as being mentioned analytically in the Loading Manual and Trim & Stability Booklet. During development of "Multiload for Windows", the Naval Architects and Marine Engineers of the company, insert all the info included in these Manuals along with additional documentation for a flawless ship specific onboard and office use. Referring, specifically to the container ships, Mr. Malliaroudakis outlines that “Multiload” offers the possibility of perpetual tracking of cargo during the voyage from Far East to Europe, considering that the loading plan is being altered continuously.    Operational Flexibility The concept of operational flexibility is linked closely to the technical vessel’s aspects along with the loading instrument that assist in improvement of her flexibility capability. Mr. Malliaroudakis outlines that it is common fact the order of a vessel is exclusively based on her DWT, which corresponds to the Cargo that can be carried. However, many times, it might be proved more beneficial a vessel to carry a cargo, having certain cargo holds empty and some fully loaded, especially if it concerns heavy cargo, as the loading/unloading operation of such distributed cargo is more efficient. An equally important parameter is the local strength, which commonly differs from one point to another. For instance, in some vessels, the plate is thinner locally, while somewhere else, the plate is found to be thicker. From the above, it is sensible that the choice of a vessel requires the consideration of numerous parameters, which drastically affect her operational flexibility. The contribution of advanced tools such as “Multiload” to the maximization of operational capability is rendered of fundamental value, as that software incorporates and calculates easily and simply all the essential parameters facilitating considerably the Operators and ensuring simultaneously Fair Winds and Calm Seas during the whole voyage. Spiros A. Malliaroudakis, Managing Director of S.A. Malliaroudakis Maritime (UK) Ltd.