Cargo ships heavily laden with farm tractors, combines, hay balers, automobiles and construction equipment regularly plot a course for the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. Maryland?s seaport, ranked as the number one Roll On-Roll Off (Ro-Ro) port in the country, handles nearly 50 percent of all Ro-Ro cargo in the United States.
Automobile volumes are counted separately.
Compared to other east coast ports, Baltimore?s inland proximity to Midwest major farms and industrial hubs makes it a natural choice for shippers of wheeled project cargo. A home grown quality control program, labeled Q-HAT (Quality Cargo Handling Action Team), also correlates with the port?s Ro-Ro success.
“We are unique in the port community because we have a quality program that is extensive,” said J.B. Hanson, spokesman, Maryland Port Administration. “Everyone involved in any way who handles Ro-Ro and automobiles becomes involved with our program.”
Inspired by the traditional car ferry, a Ro-Ro vessel is equipped with ramp(s) that open at the stern (rear of the vessel) and side for dual loading.
The thoroughbred of Ro-Ro vessels is the Pure Car Carrier, which has a box-like superstructure that runs the entire length and breadth of the hull.
The PCC is fully enclosed for seafaring cargo protection. Con-Ro, a hybrid ship, loads both roll on-roll off cargo and containers. Vehicle storage is generally in the below decks.
Before the 1950s, loading cars onboard ship was a slow process.
Each vehicle was hoisted one by one into the ship?s hold. An American innovation replaced this ancient method.
In 1957, the U.S. military issued a contract to Sun Shipbuilding Company in Chester, Pa., to construct a motorized vehicle carrier named Comet, with a stern ramp and interior ramps for easy vehicle movement.
She is still afloat as part of the U.S. Ready Reserve Fleet.
In 1973, Japan built the world?s first commercial PCC, the European Highway, which carried 4,200 automobiles.
Today, the largest Ro-Ro vessel is the MV Mignon, owned and operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines of Sweden, capable of carrying some 7,200 cars.
A longtime export analyst and consultant, Joseph R. Hughes? maritime-related articles have appeared in numerous publications. He is a native Baltimorean. E-mail your questions to him at [email protected].
