What Is Vessel? Definition, Types, & Difference with Ships

In the logistics sector, transportation facilities, such as docks and ships, are important. One of the crucial transportation modes for sea logistics is vessels.

A vessel is a huge ship used to carry big containers and bring them through the sea. To get to know more about vessels, read the information below!

What Are Vessels?

A vessel is a large ship going through the ocean carrying big goods in containers or cargo. Because it brings huge cargo, a vessel is bigger compared to a ship.

Vessels are important for sea transportation because sea freight is one of the backbone of the supply chain in almost all industries in the world.

Statista noted that 80% of the distributed goods for industry are carried via the sea. From 1990 to 2021, the amount of sea trade has reached 11 million tons. That’s why transportation facilities like vessels are one of the important elements in sea trade.

Then, what is the difference between ships and vessels? In fact, vessels are often called ships. Yet, vessels have a bigger capacity and size than ships.

Moreover, ships are frequently used domestically and vessels are international. However, some vessels are also used for domestic trade and shipment.

Types of Vessels

A vessel is a sea transportation that has various types based on its characteristics and functions. Below are some types of vessels you should know:

1. Reefer Vessel

Reefer vessels carry low-temperature goods. Therefore, it is equipped with adjustable cooling systems. Examples of cold goods brought by reefer vessels are meats, fish, and vegetables.

2. Container Vessel

Container vessels are the most common shipment used in the sea trade. It works to carry big cargo in a massive quantity, especially goods in containers.

Typically, container vessels can load up to 20.000 containers. It is also suitable for loading goods in large amounts for international and domestic shipping.

3. Bulk Carrier

Bulk carriers are used to transport large numbers of dry bulk goods, such as coal, fertilizers, wheat, and rice. It is critical for global trade and has been around since the 19th century.

4. Roll-on-Roll-off Ships

Roll-on-roll-off ships or RoRo ships are used to bring vehicles, such as trucks, buses, cars, and motorcycles, although some also bring passengers.

This vessel has several types, such as Pure Car Carrier for cars, General Cargo RoRo for cargo and vehicles, Ropax for passengers and vehicles, and Pure Car and Truck Carrier for trucks and cars.

5. Tanker Vessel

Tanker vessels are used to carry massive quantities of liquid, such as liquid chemicals, oil, liquid natural gas, and many more.

Since it brings liquid cargo, tanker vessels have special tanks to transport liquids. The types and tanker vessels are also distinct based on the goods carried, such as crude oil tanker, gas tanker, and chemical tanker.

6. Dredger

Dredgers have special dredging tools for lifting sand and sediments in the sea. Typically, this kind of vessel is used for deep-sea mining and navigation flow creation.

Dredgers are divided into two: hydraulic and mechanical dredgers. Hydraulic dredgers can bring sand to the factory, but mechanical dredgers need some supporting tools to transport sand to the factory.

The Functions of Vessels

A vessel is sea transportation that is important to ensure the running of trade and goods distribution via sea. The functions of the vessel are as follows:

1. Taking Up Passengers

Some vessels, like roll-on-roll-off ships, can carry passengers and goods at near or far distances.

2. Transporting Goods

The main function of the vessel is transporting various goods, from solids, liquids, vehicles, to mining materials. Those will be transported domestically or internationally.

3. Shipping a Large Quantities of Goods

Vessels are usually bigger than ships because they work to ship a large amount of goods. Some are also packed in cargo. Thus, the cargo must be organized to be safely distributed.

4. Cost-Effective

For larger goods distributions, the sea route is considered more economical and cost-effective, making the budget more efficient.

5. Reaching Global Market

Vessels are good transportation serving shipments domestically and internationally. This will profit the business since they can market their product to the global market and the areas that are not accessible by other modes of transportation.

Those are the information about the vessel, its functions, and its types. Vessels are one of the important trading elements in shipping goods globally and in large quantities.

Because goods will be shipped by sea on a large scale, the transportation used must be adequate and appropriate for the goods being carried.

For chemicals, you can use vessels specialized for chemical substances. Regarding this, Chandra Asri Group offers vessel shipping services as well as sea logistics for chemicals and LPG with PT Chandra Shipping International (CSI), PT Marina Indah Maritim (MIM), and PT Chandra Cold Chain (CCC).

Chandra Asri Group through the three subsidiaries has four chemical and LPG carriers with a capacity of 5,300–8,800 DWT. Chandra Asri Group is also open to expanding into shipping management and inland logistics.