same way as in integral units.

Cold air is blown in at the bottom and --r the "warm" air is removed at the top.
W

Container Handling - I

Off the ship, the temperature is controlled by a terminal refrigeration system or "clip-on units".

Figure 9.24: Connections in the ship for porthole containers, showing the supply and return air openings.

This type of container also requires adequate air flow. For this purpose, appropriate air ducts must be provided in the floor and the ceiling and the cargo must be sensibly packaged and stowed. Porthole containers do not have an integral temperature display. integral' Refrigerated containers are used for goods which need to be transported at a constant temperature above or below freezing point. These goods are divided into chilled goods and frozen goods, depending on the specified transport temperature. They principally include fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products. such as butter and cheese. High-cube integral units are used in particular for voluminous and light goods (e.g. fruit. flowers).

Figure 9.2-5: Refrigeration Unit of an Integral Unit

Chilled meat is sometimes also transported hanging, for which purpose the ceilings of refrigerated containers are equipped with special hook rails.
81

Environmental
Protection

Special controlled atmosphere refrigerated containers are available for transporting fruit and vegetables which may be stored for a longer period in a controlled or modified atmosphere.

Figure 9.26: 20' Porthole Container with Attached "Clip-on Unit" for Supplying Cold Air Ashore

(e)

20 ft/ 40ft/ Collapsible Flat Racks

Flatracks consist of a floor structure with a high loading capacity composed of a steel frame and a softwood floor and two end walls, which may either be fixed or collapsible. The end walls are stable enough to allow cargo securing means to be attached and several flatracks to be stacked on top of one another. Flatracks are available in 20' and 40' sizes. A number of lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the side rails, the comer posts and the floor. Some types of 20' flatracks have forklift pockets. 40' flatracks have gooseneck ) tunnels at each end. For transport of certain cargoes, flatracks may be provided with stand ions. The maximum payload may be used only if the load is distributed evenly over the floor structure. However, if the weight of the cargo is applied to only a small proportion of the floor, it must be distributed and the manufacturer of the flatracks may have to be consulted on safety issues. Flatracks are mainly used to transport heavy-lifts and overheight or overwidth cargoes.

Figure 9.27: 20' flatrack: floor structure with high loading capacity and two fixed, likewise very stable end walls.

82

Container Handling I

'' IN ,

-~-- -

Figure 9.28: 40' flatrack: floor structure with high loading capacity and two fixed, likewise very stable end walls. ( f)

Platforms; 20/40 Platforms consist solely of a floor structure with extremely high loading capacity; they have no side or end walls. This high loading capacity makes it possible to concentrate heavy weights on small areas. A platform consists of a steel frame and a wooden floor structure. Platforms are available in 20' and 40' sizes. 40' platforms have a gooseneck tunnel at each end. Lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the side rails, The lashing rings may take loads of up to 3.000 kg. Platforms are used principally for oversized and very heavy cargoes

Figure 9.29: 40' Platform: Floor Structure with High Loading Capacity. The Arrow Shows the Position of the Gooseneck Tunnel

Figure 9.30: 20' platform, Converted from a 20' Flatrack with Folding, Removable End Walls

83

Environmental Protection

(g) 20 ft/ 40 ft Open "lop Containers It has the following typical distinguishing structural features. The roof consists of removable bows and a removable tarpaulin. The door header may be swivelled out. These two structural features greatly simplify the process of packing and unpacking the container. The walls of open-top containers are generally made of corrugated steel. The floor is made of wood. It should be noted, however, that the purpose of the roof bows of an open-top container is not solely to support the tarpaulin but also to contribute to container stability. Flatracks are therefore more suitable for overheight cargoes. Lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the upper and Lashing lower side rails and the corner posts.

Figure 9.31: Open-Top Container, Fully Open

Figure 9.32: Open Top Container-Side View

84

Container Handling - I

Figure 9.33: Open-Top Container, Fully Closed

Open-top containers are used for all types of general cargo (dry cargo). Their principal uses are as follows: packing and unpacking from above or throu g h the doors by crane or crab tall cargo

(h) 20 ft Tank Containers These containers are specially designed for the movement of liquid cargo of different types. Depending on the characteristics of the products to be carried the requirements vary. Tank containers are available for: CHemical PRODUCTS, e.g. Flammables Oxidising agents Toxic substances Corrosives
! I TFS,

?P_

e.g.:

AIcohols Fruit juices

Edible oils Food additives. Tanks must be filled not less than 80% of their capacity to avoid dangerous Surge/swelI during transport. Tanks must not be filled to 100% of their capacity. Sufficient ullage space shall be left which must be determined depending on the thermal expansion of the product to be carried. Certain dangerous products must be carried in tanks having no openings below the surface level of the liquid. Such tanks must be discharged through a syphon pipe by either pressure or pumping. "Tank containers intended for transporting foodstuffs must be labeled "Potable Liquids only".

85

Environmental Protection

Figure 9.34: 20' Tank Container

(i)

20 A Bulk Containers
Bulk (or bulk cargo) containers have three loading hatches in the roof. On the door side, there are two discharge hatches, which are sometimes equipped with short discharge tubes for guiding the bulk cargo. Alternatively, two unloading hatches may be mounted in the doorways, for emptying the containers. Such containers may also be used for general cargo. Lashing rings are mounted in the top side rails for securing the cargo. Some bulk containers are equipped with forklift pockets, which allow handling by forklift

trucks.
Bulk containers are used in particular for transporting bulk cargo, such as grain, foodstuffs, spices. However, they may also be used for transporting general cargo.

I.L101Y

Rai C11

Figure 9-35: 20' Bulk Container. showing the three Loading Hatches in the Roof and the Two Discharge [latches in the Doors

Half Heights; 20/40 Half-height containers are lower than standard containers. The size codes distinguish between those 1295 mm (4'3") high and those of a height less than or' equal to 1219 mm (T). The containers are specially designed for goods with low stowage factors and for high-density cargoes, such as heavy barrels, metal sheet, etc.

86

Container Handling - I

Figure 9.36: Half Height Container

Half-height tank containers or half-hei ght liquid containers serve to carry high-density liquids which cannot be carried in normal tank containers because they cannot be Filled to a high enough level and are therefore subject to surging.

Figure 9.37: Half-Height Liquid Container

(k) Fantainers; 20/40 The Fantainer is identical to a General Purpose container with similar internal dimensions with the added ability to be easily converted into a Fantainer. This hatch can also be fitted with an electric extraction fan when they are operated as a Fantainer. In this mode, the cargo is stowed upon pallets to create an air duct under the cargo. Air is then drawn into the floor by the extraction fan via a specifically designed perforated lower front sill. The aim is to remove any respiratory heat developed by the cargo and balance the internal temperature of the container plus the cargo with that of the varying ambients outside in order to prevent the formation of condensation. The Fantainers should prove valuable for the carriage of many cargoes which are prone to condensation when carried in a general purpose unit eg potatoes, onions,
etc.

Figure 9.38: General Purpose Containers with Mechanical Ventilation installed in the Container

There are plenty of other designs of general purpose container, in addition to those described above. A more unusual example is the container illustrated below. 87

Environmental Protection

s
Figure 9.39: General Purpose Container with Flaps on the End and Side Walls (1)

Highly Ventilated 20

Ventilated containers are also known as passive (naturally) ventilated or coffee containers. Ventilation is provided by ventilation openings in the top and bottom side rails. The openings do not let in spray, to prevent depreciation of the cargo by rain or spray. The common size for ventilated containers is 20'. Ventilated containers are used especially for cargoes which have to be ventilated in transit. One of the most significant of such commodities is green coffee beans, hence the name coffee container. Top Ventilated containers have side vents along top rail. Bottom Ventilated containers have side vents along the floor level.

Figure 9.40: Vents in a Container

Figure 9.41: Ventilated Container: The White Arrows in Indicate the Ventilation Openings

Figure 9.42 : V entilated Con tain er veVent ilat io n Openings I per 5f'3V_kai1

88

Container Handling - I

F ig ure 9 .4 3 : I nt e r nal Vi ew Show i ng Ve nti l ati o n Openings in Upper Part of Container

F ig ure 9 .4 4 : I nt e r nal Vi ew Show i ng Ve nti l ati o n Openings at Container Floor Level

9.4 CONTAINERS - LOADING CRANES AND HANDLING METHODS

CONTAINER LOADING CRANES Introduction To gain full advantage of containership operations, the container must be moved efficientl y, speedily, and safel y through the terminal. This is accomplished by using special handling equipment and proper labeling. The type of handling and lifting equipment varies from terminal to terminal. Various factors determine the type of equipment used- the storage method, the modes serving the terminal, and the overall layout of the terminal storage area. These equipments are Straddle Cranes Straddle cranes are self-propelled gantry cranes which move on rubber tires or rails. They may straddle from one to six railroad tracks while loading and unloading containers and piggyback trailers. Both the tire and rail-mounted types are highly versatile. They are capable of lifting up to 50 tons, moving through narrow aisles, and spotting containers in specific locations throughout the storage yard. Many have the capacity for stacking containers two and three high.

Figure 9.45

The lifting device used on the straddle crane is usually a universal lifting spreader that fits into special lifting slots at the top of the container. The spreader may fit completely underneath the container. The two straddle cranes shown in Figure 13-

89

Environmental Protection

completely underneath the container. The two straddle cranes shown in Figure 13-1 in a piggyback operation. Each has a skewing trolle y which permits them to move a straight line or at an angle. Straddle Trucks Straddle trucks are similar to straddle cranes but smaller, faster and more versatile. They are limited to straddling one container. These trucks pick up one container from a stack in the storage area and move it alongside the vessel. It may either lift the container from the top with the universal spreader or from the bottom with lifting arras. Dockside Container Cranes Dockside cranes for handling containers are designed for quick loading and unloading. This greatly reduces the time a ship must spend in port. The design of a particular dockside crane depends on the requirements of the terminal served. A typical dockside container crane is capable of handling containers at the rate of one per minute.

Figure 9.46: Common Dockside Container Crane

Figure 9.47

Figure 9.48: Shipboard Container Cranes

90