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Not all ships are the same and they cannot all sail in the same places. We already looked at the types of ships based on the cargo they transport. We are now going to talk about the different sizes of cargo ships, something that also determines which commercial routes they can take on or at which ports they can dock.

Handy/ Handymax

The Handy and the newer version, the Handymax, are boats traditionally used for dry cargo and at least 60,000 TPM. A Handymax is normally 150-200 m long (length). They are the most common types of cargo ships and can enter in any port, thanks to their size.

Aframax

It derives its name from AFRA (Average Freight Rate Assessment), a standardised tanker rate system. It is therefore easy to deduce that the Aframax are medium-sized tankers that can load between 80,000 and 120,000 TPM. They are perfect for short- and medium-distance oil trade, mainly in low production regions.

Panamax/ New Panamax

The names from here on are more intuitive. Panamax ships have the maximum acceptable size to travel through the Panama Canal. The New Panamax supports larger sizes, since they use the measurements of the new locks following its extension in 2016.

According to these measurements, we have a Panamax with a length of 294 m long by 32.3 m wide (beam) and a draft of 12 m. A height of 57.91 m also needs to be added to this. A Neopanamax expands these limits up to 366 m in length by 49 m wide and a draught of 15.2m.

The name Panamax / New Panamax applies to both solid cargo ships and oil tankers with a capacity of 50,000 to 80,000 TPM.

Suezmax

We continue with physical limitations, due to how the Suezmax boats are manufactured in order to pass through the Suez Canal. These are medium-sized vessels with a capacity of between 120,000 and 200,000 TPM. In this case, there are no limitations in terms of length and width and they only need to conform with a draft of 20 m and the maximum height set by the Suez Canal bridge, i.e. 68m.

Capesize

This standard refers to vessels whose size does not allow them to travel through the Panama and Suez canals. They are bulk carriers that serve materials such as iron ore or coal to deep-water terminals and have to pass through the Cape Horn in South America or the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. They can transport between 80,000 and 175,000 TPM and they are very scarce, as are the ports with infrastructure to receive them.

There are other sized vessels according to the route, such as:

• Seawaymax: Suitable for passing through the San Lorenzo sea route and therefore gain access from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes region of North America.
• Malaccamax: The maximum size allowed for crossing the Strait of Malacca (Southeast Asia).
• Q-Max: LNG ships with the maximum allowable size at Qatar’s LNG terminal.
• Chinamax: High-capacity and wide cargo ships for certain routes with China.

VLCC/ ULCC

The abbreviations stand for Very Large Crude Carriers and Ultra Large Crude Carriers and they are huge oil tankers capable of transporting between 150,000-320,000 and 320,000-550,000 TPM and TPM respectively. The former provide greater flexibility and their draught makes them suitable for areas such as the Mediterranean, West Africa and North Sea.

The ULCC, also known as Supertankers, are used to cover extensive routes from the Middle East to Europe, East Asia and North America via the Cape of Good Hope or the Strait of Malacca. Their extensive size requires terminals that are specifically built for them.

It is evident that the varying sizes of vessels already in existence are no passing fancy. They are designed to overcome geographical barriers, adapt to certain routes or to optimise the transport of a particular type of goods. It is therefore essential to look for expert logistical support such as the one offered by Bilogistik, thanks to our knowledge of the pros and cons of different types of ships, which we manage to suit your needs.

Many factors, such as price or delivery speed, can be taken into account when looking for a logistics services for any operation. However, something happens underneath the surface that makes one logistics operator stand out from another, namely the range of value-added services.

What is Value Added in logistics?

Value-added logistics (VAL) is a term used within the sector. This allows for a more comprehensive service and is an essential tool for increasing customer satisfaction. This is especially important when it comes to certain operations based on the trust that a customer places in a company.

Logistics is also by definition a competitive sector. Importers need competitive logistic services to ensure this very thing for their commercial operations. However, we cannot confuse competitiveness with having more resources. In fact, added value is being best implemented by medium sized and specialised companies. Whenever a logistics operator adds value the right way, this shows their knowledge of the ins and outs of the sector and the needs of the customer.

And there is no point in going for added value if you do not respond to what the customer needs.

What General Logistics or Added Value Logistics? GLS vs. VAL

But what is it that separates General Logistics Services (GLS) from logistics of Added Value (VAL)?

GLS services involve loading and unloading, stowage and distribution. These involve traditional activities in a logistical shipment, something offered by all operators due to being a basic of this service.

Anything else that cannot be considered as a key part of the logistical service is likely to form part of a VAL. For example:

• Storage service: Providing convenient services for all merchandise such as duty-free stores.
• Specialised transport: Alternative transport solutions, door to door service or intermodal transport.
• Urgent parcel service: A reality in e-commerce.
• LCIS services (Logistic Chain Integration Services): Where a logistic operator takes charge of the steps involved in the production chain, such as assembly, quality control or packaging.

To put it simply, overall logistics is the basic services that must be provided by a logistics company, while Added Value Logistics is the extra that can be offered to allow a customer choose one operator over another.

Bilogistik and added value

At Bilogistik, we are committed to comprehensive logistics management. This makes our services fall squarely into the scope of added value. Below are some of the VAL services that we offer our customers. .

Storage in warehouses and external warehouses

A duty-free warehouse is a storage space for goods that are being imported or exported. Its major benefit is the tax benefits offered, due to the fact that the goods are stored free of taxes. At Bilogistik, we work with the Bilbao duty-free warehouse, which operates as a customs warehouse (DA in Spanish) as well as a customs bonded warehouse (DDA in Spanish).

However, it is sometimes important to have total autonomy. For this reason, a company with its own warehouse to store goods until their shipment date stands out as a VAL service. We at Bilogistik have a space next to the Port of Bilbao that offers the same tax benefits as the warehouse.

Handling of all types of goods

Not all logistical operators are qualified to transport just any type of goods. There is another added value of a company such as Bilogistik that is also capable of transporting high tonnage cargo, heavy metals, minerals or ferro-alloys.

Particular mention must be made of the transport of dangerous or polluting loads that require careful handling, such as explosives, flammable, toxic, corrosive and radioactive material.

Door-to-door service

There is no point in transporting goods throughout the world if the most important step is not covered, namely, who is going to be delivering them to the recipient.

We at Bilogistik always talk about comprehensive transportation and door to door logistics services. One of our strengths to ensure this is the use of intermodal transport, which consists of combining two or more modes of transport to deliver the goods to their destination, meaning the customer does not have to worry about transfers and connections.