Everything You Need to Know About Inland Shipping Vessels

Inland shipping vessels are the backbone of transportation over the waterways in the Netherlands and Europe. Each type of vessel, from dry cargo ships to passenger vessels, has unique features tailored to specific cargo types and waterways. This article provides a detailed overview of the different vessel types and their functions.

Dry Cargo Ships

Dry cargo ships are the most common inland shipping vessels and are used for transporting bulk cargo such as grain, ores, coal, and containers. These vessels are often equipped with hatches to keep cargo dry and are highly versatile.

Dry cargo ships are mainly used for transporting bulk goods such as grain, animal feed, metals, coal, and ores. Their great strength lies in their versatility: because the types of cargo can vary significantly, these vessels are suitable for a wide range of transport needs.

Subtypes and Dimensions:

Spits: Suitable for narrow canals and smaller waterways, such as those in Belgium and France.
Dimensions: 38.5 x 5.05 x 2.20 meters.
Capacity: 350 tons.

Kempenaar: Designed for medium-sized canals, such as the Kempen waterways.
Dimensions: 55 x 6.60 x 2.59 meters.
Capacity: 655 tons.

Rhine-Herne Canal Ship (Europaship): Suitable for larger European canals and rivers.
Dimensions: 85 meters long, 9.50 meters wide, 2.50 meters draft.
Capacity: 1,350 tons.

Dortmund-Ems Canal Ship (Dortmunder): Specifically designed for the Dortmund-Ems Canal.
Dimensions: 67 meters long, 8.20 meters wide, 2.50 meters draft.
Capacity: 1,000 tons.

Large Rhine Ship: Ideal for sailing the Rhine and other major rivers.
Dimensions: 110 meters long, 11.40 meters wide, 3.00 meters draft.
Capacity: 2,750 tons.

Extended Large Rhine Ship: For transporting larger loads over long distances.
Dimensions: 135 meters long, 11.40 meters wide, 3.50 meters draft.
Capacity: 4,000 tons.

Hopper Barges

Hopper barges are specially designed for transporting heavy and wet cargo, such as sand, gravel, and dredged material. The hopper, the cargo hold of these vessels, allows excess water to drain away, preventing instability.

Applications:
Hopper barges are essential in sectors such as construction and dredging. They transport sand and gravel to building sites and remove dredged materials from waterways and ports.

Features:
Some hopper barges are equipped with self-suction systems, enabling them to load sand and dredged material independently. Additionally, their double walls ensure stability even when transporting wet cargo.

Tankers

Tankers are vital for transporting liquid, gaseous, and powdered goods, including hazardous substances. They offer a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution for transporting wet products. Around 80% of all hazardous substances are transported by tankers, making them a much safer option than road or rail transport.

Safety and Technology:

Tankers are equipped with double walls to prevent leakage in the event of a collision. Many tankers also have compartments to separate different types of cargo and maintain the vessel's stability.

Types of Tankers:

Standard Type (N): Traditional tankers for diesel, gasoline, and edible oils. Tanks for edible products are often made of stainless steel to prevent contamination.
Chemical Type (C): Specifically designed for transporting heavy chemical substances such as phenol and hydrochloric acid. These vessels are built with stainless steel tanks and meet the highest safety standards.
Gas Type (G): Gas tankers feature triple walls and round tanks for optimal strength and stability, suitable for liquefied gases like LPG and LNG.
Powder Tankers: Designed for transporting dry substances such as flour, cement, and fly ash, with pneumatic pumps for efficient loading and unloading.

Dimensions and Capacity:

Standard Tanker:
Dimensions: 110 x 11.40 x 3.50 meters.
Capacity: 3,000 tons.

Large Tanker:
Dimensions: 135 x 21.80 x 4.40 meters.
Capacity: 9,500 tons.

Container Ships

Container ships are designed for transporting standardized containers and are essential in logistics due to their efficient loading and unloading processes.

Applications:

International Trade: Thanks to their intermodal functionality, containers can easily be transferred to trucks or trains at inland terminals.
High Capacity: Ideal for transporting large quantities of goods over long distances.

Subtypes and Dimensions:

Small Container Ship: Suitable for narrow waterways and urban canals.
Dimensions: 63 x 7 x 2.50 meters.
Capacity: 32 TEU.

Standard Container Ship: Suitable for large rivers and ports.
Dimensions: 110 x 11.40 x 3.00 meters.
Capacity: 200 TEU.

Large Container Ship: Designed for transporting larger loads over long distances.
Dimensions: 135 x 17 x 3.50 meters.
Capacity: Up to 500 TEU.

Push and Tow Boats

Push and tow boats are essential for moving other vessels, such as barges and pontoons, across inland waterways. These powerful vessels are specifically designed for either pushing or towing and are crucial for transporting large quantities of cargo efficiently.

Push Boats:

Push boats, or “Pushers”, are compact yet powerful vessels used to push barges that cannot sail independently. They are commonly used for bulk cargo like grain, coal, or containers. These boats feature robust construction, powerful engines, and equipment such as winches and hooks for securing loads.

Tow Boats:

Tow boats, also known as “Tugs”, are used to tow or guide larger vessels. They are indispensable for operations in harbors and narrow waterways, assisting with docking and undocking, or when ships are immobilized.

Push-Tow Combinations:

A push-tow combination typically consists of a push boat paired with one or more barges. These barges can transport bulk goods or containers and are highly flexible in their configuration.

Two-Barge Combination: Dimensions: 172 x 11.40 x 4 meters; Capacity: 5,500 tons.
Four- or Six-Barge Combination: Dimensions: 193 x 22.80 / 34.20 x 4 meters; Capacity: 11,000 to 16,500 tons.

Combined Vessels

Combined vessels consist of a motorized ship and a non-motorized vessel. The motorized ship pushes or temporarily hauls the non-motorized one, creating a flexible and efficient way to transport larger volumes of cargo.

Applications:
Combined vessels are commonly used for transporting bulk goods, tank cargo, or containers. They are an economical solution for handling large-scale transportation needs.

Characteristics:
The motorized and non-motorized vessels are often customized to work seamlessly together but can also operate in different combinations.Combined vessels significantly increase cargo capacity while maintaining maneuverability.

Dimensions:
Length: Approximately 185 meters.
Width: 11.40 meters.
Draft: 3.50 meters.
Capacity: 6,000 tons.

Passenger Ships

Passenger ships are designed for transporting people and combine comfort with functionality. They range from luxurious river cruises to practical ferries and sightseeing boats, making them suitable for both tourism and daily transportation.

River Cruises: Luxurious ships with amenities such as restaurants, lounges, and hotel rooms, often used for multi-day trips on rivers like the Rhine. These ships accommodate 100 to 300 passengers and sometimes feature swimming pools and entertainment facilities.

Ferries: Functional ships for daily transportation between cities, towns, or islands. They have flexible capacities that can vary depending on the route and demand.

Day Cruises: Sightseeing boats designed for short recreational trips in cities or nature areas. With open and enclosed decks, they offer optimal views and can accommodate 50 to 200 passengers.

Roll-On Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) Ships

Ro-Ro ships are specially designed for transporting rolling cargo, such as vehicles. Thanks to their unique design with ramps and loading doors, vehicles can be loaded and unloaded quickly and easily. These ships play a crucial role in logistics and are particularly popular for transporting new cars, trucks, vans, tractors, and even military vehicles on inland waterways.

A distinctive feature of Ro-Ro ships is their horizontal decks, which are divided into multiple loading layers to maximize space utilization. The ramps provide easy access to the decks and allow for flexible cargo arrangements. Due to their versatility, Ro-Ro ships are suitable for various types of vehicles, ranging from passenger cars to heavy agricultural machinery. Additionally, they are frequently used in intermodal transport, combining water and road transportation for efficient logistical solutions.

Conclusion

Inland shipping vessels are essential to the logistics sector. Each type of ship, from dry cargo vessels to tankers, coupled vessels, and passenger ships, plays a unique role in safely and efficiently transporting goods and people over waterways. Explore the dynamic opportunities in this sector through the Jobwave Maritime Job Board!