Cargo Ships: Can You Name the Equipment From an Image?

Robin Tyler

Identify this piece of equipment found on cargo ships.

Large container ships have their own cargo cranes to move containers into position. On smaller ships, this is usually done by cranes on the land.

Any idea what piece of equipment is shown in this image?

Many containers are stored below decks in special holds. These are covered with hatch covers which can close and open through the use of a motor and hydraulics.

This is found on cargo ships all over the world, actually on most ships. What is it?

This net is made of heavy duty rope and is normally square in shape. The ropes inside the net form smaller squares and it is used as a way to move containers onto cargo ships.

Essential in an emergency, what is shown in this image?

In case of emergencies, the life boats on the ship will be dropped in the ocean and the crew will abandon ship if it is sinking.

This is found on the deck of cargo and container ships. Name this piece of equipment, please.

Found on the deck of a cargo ship, containers are placed over this lock and then it is locked in position, holding the container fast.

This helps secure a ship in the harbor. Do you know what the piece of equipment in the image is called?

While in harbor and taking on cargo, a cargo ship must be securely fastened to the wharf. This is achieved by the use of mooring gear, which usually takes the form of large ropes which are securely fastened to special mooring stations on the wharf.

This consists of an arm and plenty of strong wires. What is it?

A heavy lift rig on a cargo ship consists of an arm and heavy duty wires. This rig is like a mini-crane and can lift smaller containers and move them around the ship.

This makes traversing the different levels of the ship all that easier. Name it, please.

Ladders on deck allow crewmen to traverse between the different levels of the cargo ship quickly.

Identify these, which are often used on cargo and container ships.

Cargo hooks can be used to attach to wooden boxes and other forms of cargo. This is just one way to move these types of loads onto a cargo ship.

This square piece of wood is called a ________

Sometimes, cargo is stacked on wooden pallets. These need to be lifted onto the cargo ship, which is normally done using hooks or a cargo net.

In this image, we have a piece of equipment used to pick up cargo. What is it?

Just another way of moving cargo, lifting slings are heavy-duty and able to pick up enormous amounts of weight. They are used in conjunction with cranes.

These are used to secure containers together. What are they called?

Semi-automatic twist locks are used in between containers, locking them together.

An easy one, all ships have this, not just cargo ships. What is it?

If a cargo ship has to wait outside a harbor, it may need to ensure it remains in the same place. In this situation, it drops its anchor.

Which piece of equipment used on a cargo or container ship is shown here?

A chain sling is one of many ways in which containers of various sizes are picked up by booms, lifting rigs or cranes.

Another way of securing containers to the deck of the ship is with these. What are they?

Lashing rods are of various lengths. They are used to hold containers on a cargo ship and are tied to them on one end and to the deck of the shop at the other end.

This helps secure 20-ft containers on all sides. What is it?

Hanger stalker - This piece of equipment on a cargo ship is used to secure a 20-ft container on all four sides.

Name this lubricant often used on cargo ships.

With plenty of moving equipment on the deck of a cargo ship, grease is applied to moving parts and lashing equipment to keep it in perfect working order.

The equipment in this image is called a ________

Cargo winches are used to arrange containers on the deck of the ship.

Specifically used to hold onto wood, what are these?

Timber hooks are attached to wooden cargo to help lift it onto the cargo ship.

Can you name this part of the ship, vital equipment in keeping it running.

- Also known as a stack, the funnel allows the exhaust gases or boiler steam to escape the ship.

These are found throughout the ship and are used to help power cranes, for example. What are they?

A cargo ship has various hydraulic systems, not only to run the ship itself but to power the many lifting devices on it.

This is used to tighten certain locking mechanisms linked to containers. What is it called?

Also known as a tightening tool, this piece of equipment is used to tighten turnbuckle and bottle screws, ensuring containers remain under tension and do not move.

These are massive! Can you name them?

This crane is used to stack cargo containers on top of each other. These cranes normally straddle the ship, dropping the cargo onto them from above.

Name this lifting device found on cargo and container ships.

Another lifting device, a derrick boom consists of a self-supporting tower and an articulated boom that does the lifting.

Used to secure a container to the deck of a shift, can you name this piece of equipment?

These are used on containers of 20 feet in size and lock them to the deck of the ship.

This piece of equipment is used for placing containers on ships. What is it called?

This long beam helps to lift containers onto ships after it has been attached to them.

Name this piece of equipment found at the front of a cargo ship?

The fore mast is the mast found at the front of a cargo ship.

This area is where the captain runs the cargo ship from. What is it called?

The main base of operations on a cargo ship, the captain will be on the bridge while the ship is at sea, moving toward its destination.

Can you name this piece of equipment that is actually mobile?

Larger cargo ships may have their own fork lifts to move smaller cargo around while out at sea. Otherwise, you will see these in the harbor when the ship is been loaded.

This secures containers to the lowest tier of the cargo ship. Name it, please.

Another form of locking mechanism, these are used on the lowest tier of the container ship to lock containers in place.

Name the equipment shown in this image, please.

Box hooks are attached to wooden cargo to help lift it onto the cargo ship.

Another method of getting containers on a ship is to use one of these. What is it?

This is a specialized truck that helps to load containers on and off a cargo ship, especially to levels of the ship that line up with the dock.

This helps the ship move forward. What is it?

The engine turns the propeller, which in turn makes the cargo ship move forward.

Once moving, this piece of equipment helps steer the cargo ship.

The rudder is connected to the bridge and the ship's wheel and determines the direction the cargo ship is moving.

What is the cargo ship part in the image called?

No, cargo ships don't have sails but they still do have masts. This could have an observation post but generally is used for rigging.

A massive space, can you name it though?

Although containers are often packed above deck, some smaller ones may be placed in the cargo hold of the ship.

This piece of equipment moves clean, fresh air around. What is it?

Many cargo ships have ventilators in their holds to keep fresh air coming in and expelling older air. This is especially important when transporting items which can decompose, for instance food stuffs.

Any idea as to what this is called?

The radar mast on a cargo ship will contain all the navigational equipment used for plotting the course for the ship.

This is used in certain situations to release containers. Can you name it?

If a twist lock cannot be opened using the usual method (releasing a wire), this tool can open the twist lock and keep it open to allow the container to be moved.

The piece of equipment found on cargo ships pictured here is a ____________

Another way of keeping tension on secured containers is through a turnbuckle and bottle screw. These ensure the containers don't become loose.

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Image: Michael H / DigitalVision / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Cargo, or container ships as they are sometimes called, are an intricate part of transporting goods around the world.

Did you know, these massive container ships are actually fairly new and have only been in operation for the past 60 odd years?  In fact, the first container ship set sail out of Denmark in 1951. 

And they continue to be a very important form of transport in the world today. Why? Well, container ships carry around 90% of the world's non-bulk cargo. Think about that number... it is simply incredible! 

The cargo transported by these ships is divided into two types: bulk cargo and break bulk cargo.

Bulk cargo is transported in the hold of the ship in specially ventilated areas. This type of cargo includes grain, maize and other edible plants, for example. 

Break bulk cargo is manufactured goods and generally transported in packages, for example boxes within a large container, packed tight to help stop breakages. 

Of course, to get this cargo on board a container ship and to manipulate it while at sea requires a range of equipment. Not just cranes but locking mechanisms, ropes, nets and others. The cargo ship also has equipment that helps it complete its task in an efficient manner. 

Let's see how many parts of this equipment you can guess from an image!

Good luck. 

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