IGNOU : M.COM : IBO 4 : UNIT 11 : Q - 2. Distinguish between Liner and Tramp shipping services.

 

Ans. Liner Shipping Service

 The liner ship has the following features :

i ) It is designed to carry a variety of cargo, with spaces for bales, bundles, boxes, barrels, drums, etc, as well as for reefer (refrigerated) cargo. The designs of the holds and number of decks will be different from those of a tramp. With the increased share of containerized cargo, specially designed container ships for carrying different categories of containers operate.

ii) The cargo handling equipment on a liner will be varied and sophisticated for quick loading and unloading of cargo to ensure quick turn round. A quick turn-round means that the ship spends the least possible time in the port and most of its time in transit.

iii) It operates regularly between fixed ports and normally loads in several ports. It serves a number of discharging ports along a predetermined route.

iv) In order to ensure speedier carriage, it is fitted with sophisticated and expensive propelling machinery.

v) provides pre-announced scheduled services on given terms and conditions of carriage. These terms and conditions mostly relate to the responsibilities and liabilities of the ship-owners in receipt, carriage and delivery of cargo. Liners, thus, provide services on terms and conditions, which are not negotiable.

vi) It generally offers carriage on fixed and stable freight rates.

Tramp Shipping Service

A tramp carrier has the following characteristic features:

i) It is primarily designed to carry the more simple and homogeneous cargo in large quantity. It is, therefore, designed to fully utilize its carrying capacity for carriage of one type of cargo. For example, a grain-carrying ship will be designed in such a way that a full cargo of grains in bulk can be accommodated in the lower holds, feeders and bins.

ii) Since one kind of homogeneous cargo is to be handled, a tramp will have comparatively simple equipment. Bulk cargos are normally loaded and discharged by mechanical equipment, elevators, pumps, etc.

iii) Because of the comparatively low unit value of commodities carried, a tramp will be operated at the lowest possible cost. This objective can be achieved by operating ships having relatively less speed by fitting less expensive propelling machinery.

iv) A tramp generally carries cargos of one or two ship users. Hence, loading and  discharging are confined to a few ports.

v) It does not have a fixed route and predetermined schedule of departure as it is to be engaged by one/two users as and when their need arises.

vi) It offers services at terms and conditions, including freight/hire charges, which are not fixed and given but are negotiable.