Intelligent Cargo Systems - Container ship operations

The famous Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff once said, “Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is.”

In container shipping, the same can be said about port calls. At itss core, the concept of a port call — when a ship stops at a port to load and unload cargo — seems straightforward. But executing a smooth port call mirrors Cruyff's sentiment. The mastery of simplicity can elevate the maritime industry's efficiency, safety, and profitability.

This article looks at the basics of a container ship port call, from planning for arrival to departing for the next destination, so we can master the basics and elevate our port calls.

Planning for Arrival

The anticipation of a container ship's arrival at port begins well before the ship is visible on the horizon. This critical phase involves planning, coordination and communication with various stakeholders for a seamless operation. The key elements are:

Voyage Planning: The captain and navigation officers onboard the ship will have already prepared the vessel's passage plan, considering variables such as weather conditions, sea currents, and maritime traffic for an efficient and safe route to the port.
Communication with Port Authorities: Essential information, such as the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA), cargo details, and specific needs of the ship are shared with the ship’s agent, port authorities and container terminal to secure a berth and ready the necessary services for arrival.
Crew Briefing: The crew is briefed on the specifics of the upcoming port call, including local protocols, berthing and cargo operations specifics, and any challenges expected in the port or with cargo.
Equipment Check: All equipment used during the port call, including navigation aids, cargo handling machinery, and safety gear, is inspected and prepared to ensure it is in optimal condition. If the ship is arriving from a long ocean voyage, the deck and access areas will be washed down to remove salt and dust and ensure safe access for visitors and shore labour.
Regulatory Compliance: The ship's captain ensures all documentation for cargo, crew, and the vessel meets the destination country's regulations and international maritime laws to avoid delays and fines.

Preparation and attention to detail in this phase is a critical step to a successful port call.

Berthing

Securing the vessel at the port, known as berthing, is a routine operation that has several dangerous elements. It involves the following critical steps:

Pilot Embarkation: As the ship approaches the port, a local pilot typically boards from a pilot boat to navigate the vessel from the coastal area to the berth. Their significant knowledge of the port's waters, coupled with their ship handling expertise in variable conditions, is invaluable in safely guiding the ship to its berth.
Tug Assistance: Tugboats will assist and escort larger vessels before manoeuvring within the tight confines of a port. They provide the necessary force to adjust the ship's position gently and accurately while also providing emergency cover should any of the ship’s systems malfunction or be overwhelmed.
Mooring Operations: Once the ship is aligned with its berth, mooring lines are deployed to secure the vessel to the dock. This process requires coordination between the ship's crew and port personnel to ensure the lines are correctly tensioned and secured. Along with tug operations, the ship's crew are vulnerable to dangers during this stage of berthing.
Gangway Deployment: With the ship securely moored, the gangway is unfolded and assembled by the ship’s crew to provide access between the ship and the port. The crew will only lower the gangway to the quayside once the Captain and Pilot are satisfied the vessel is in its final berthing position.

Berthing is pivotal in the port call process, requiring teamwork, precision, and an unwavering commitment to safety.

While there is temptation to rush berthing to reduce the turnaround time is high, any mistake in the berthing process, such as an incorrect berthing position or improperly set mooring line tension can have knock-on effects on the cargo operations.

Preparing for Cargo Operations

Before mooring operations, the ship’s crew and container terminalprepare for cargo operations independently. This phase is pivotal for the efficiency of the port call, as it sets the groundwork for loading and unloading activities. The preparation involves several critical steps:

Safety First: Before cargo operations commence, a thorough safety check is conducted. This includes verifying the operational status of cargo handling equipment, ensuring all personnel are briefed on safety protocols, and confirming the readiness of cargo securing devices onboard.
Equipment Readiness: The vessel and port equipment needed for cargo operations, such as cranes, forklifts, and conveyors, are prepared and inspected. It's essential that all equipment is in optimal working condition to prevent delays or accidents during cargo handling.
Stowage Plan Review: The ship's officers and stevedores review the stowage plan, which details where cargo is to be placed on the vessel. This plan is crucial for maintaining the ship's stability and ensuring efficient use of space.
Communication Channels: Clear and open communication channels between the ship's crew, stevedores, port authorities, and logistics companies are established. Effective communication is key to coordinating the complex ballet of loading and unloading cargo.
Environmental Considerations: Measures are taken to minimize the environmental impact of cargo operations, including strategies to reduce emissions, manage waste, and prevent spillages.

An Arkas container ship undergoing cargo and bunkering operations at night in Port of Piraeus
(Image credit: Intelligent Cargo Systems)

During Cargo Operations

Cargo operations are the core of the port call, where the ship's cargo is either loaded, unloaded, or both. This stage is characterized by multiple synchronised tasks, requiring precise coordination and adherence to pre-established plans for a successful outcome:

Loading and Unloading: Cranes and other cargo handling equipment start operations, transferring containers between the ship and the quayside. Speed and efficiency are balanced with the need for caution to avoid damage to the cargo or equipment.
Provisioning, Bunkering and Maintenance: If necessary, the vessel is refuelled (bunkering), and provisions are replenished to ensure it has enough supplies for the next leg of its voyage.
Port calls are a cost-effective opportunity for the shipping company to conduct maintenance, compliance audits and surveys on the engine, hull and superstructure. These tasks are coordinated to minimise any impact on cargo operations and vessel departure.
Monitoring and Adjustments: The ship's crew and operations team closely monitor the process throughout the cargo operations. Adjustments are made as needed to the stowage plan to ensure the ship's balance and stability.
Documentation Updates: The ship's manifest is updated in real-time as cargo is loaded or unloaded. This documentation is critical for customs clearance, future port calls, and the ship's records.
Safety Oversight: Container terminal shift managers and the ship's deck crew oversee the operations to ensure compliance with safety protocols. Their presence ensures that any potential hazards are swiftly communicated, addressed and mitigated to prevent accidents and delays to cargo operations’ duration.
Efficiency Measures: Operations are often conducted round the clock to maximise efficiency. Lighting, shift changes, and equipment maintenance are carefully managed to minimize downtime.
Communication: Continuous communication between the vessel, the port and landside personnel ensures that any issues are promptly addressed and operations can adjust to any unforeseen challenges.

Finalizing Cargo Operations and Preparing for Departure

As cargo operations near completion, attention shifts towards finalizing these activities and preparing the vessel for departure. This phase is crucial for ensuring that all procedures have been properly concluded and that the ship is ready for its next journey.

Cargo Checks: Once cargo operations are complete, a final check is conducted to ensure that all cargo has been loaded or unloaded according to the stowage plan. This includes verifying that the cargo is secured and that the vessel's stability and trim are within safe parameters.
Documentation Finalization: All paperwork related to the cargo operations, including the updated cargo manifest, bills of lading, and any customs documentation, must be finalized and approved. This paperwork is essential for the vessel's next port of call and for the cargo owners.
Port Clearance: The ship must receive clearance from the port authorities before it can depart. This involves ensuring that all port fees and charges have been paid and that no regulatory issues are pending.
Pre-departure Checks: The crew conducts a thorough safety and security check of the vessel, focusing on the integrity of the cargo securing arrangements, the functionality of the navigation and communication equipment, and the availability of life-saving appliances. The main engine is readied by the ship’s engineers and auxiliary services made available.

Container ship OOCL Montreal finalising cargo operations in the Port of Southampton
(Image credit: Intelligent Cargo Systems)

Departure

Departure marks the conclusion of the port call and the beginning of the vessel's journey to its next destination. This phase is characterized by coordinated actions to ensure the ship leaves the port safely and efficiently.

Casting Off: With all departure preparations complete, the mooring lines are released, and, if required, tugboats assist the vessel in moving away from the berth.
Pilot Navigation: As with arrival, a pilot may guide the vessel through the port waters until it reaches open sea or a predefined point where the pilot disembarks to a pilot boat, leaving the vessel to continue under the captain's command.
Departure Checks: As the vessel departs, the crew performs the final remaining tasks to ensure that the vessel is ready for the voyage and the ship is navigated safely out of port.
Communication with Port Authorities: The vessel maintains communication with port authorities until it has safely cleared the port area, ensuring compliance with vessel traffic services (VTS) or navigational advisories.
Setting Course: Once in open waters, the captain sets the course for the next port of call, marking the transition from port operations to sea navigation.

Monitoring the port call basics… and the complex

Now that we know the theory behind a simple, effective, well-executed port call, how do we make sure that happens? How do we organise and plan for good port calls and avoid bad ones?

Keeping with the basic theme, shipping company employees such as Port Captains, Port Superintendents and Vessel Operations managers can communicate with the port and container terminal on planning and operation updates. Using AIS tools, vessel actual arrival and departure time can be assessed. But during a port call, there aren’t many communication tools that give you all the port call information without involving the terminal operator.

Enter CargoMate.

CargoMate is designed for shipping companies to monitor their port calls in real time and use the data collected to improve future calls. From simple port tasks to complicated operations, CargoMate provides full transparency of operations direct from the ship.

You can find more information on CargoMate here.

Container ship operations - What is a port call?