Geared vs gearless vessels: when your cargo needs ship's cranes
A cheap ship that cannot work the berth is not cheap. Whether a cargo needs a geared vessel depends on the terminals at both ends, and it is one of the first questions we ask before looking at tonnage.
Geared and gearless, defined
A geared vessel carries its own cranes (or derricks) and can load and discharge without shore equipment. A gearless vessel has no cargo cranes and depends on the terminal's loaders, cranes or unloaders. In the bulk market, Handysize to Ultramax ships are usually geared, and Panamax and larger ships are usually gearless.
Cranes and grabs
A typical geared Supramax has four deck cranes, each able to lift around 30 to 36 tonnes. For bulk cargo the cranes work with grabs, which may be supplied by the ship or by the terminal. The charter should state the number and capacity of cranes, whether grabs are on board, and who pays for crane drivers.
When a geared ship is needed
- The berth has no shore cranes or suitable unloaders
- Shore equipment exists but is slow, shared or unreliable
- The cargo is bagged, steel or project cargo that needs lifting
- Discharge is at anchorage into barges or lighters
- The terminal charges heavily for shore crane use
What gear does to cost and time
Geared ships often command a premium, and ship's gear is usually slower than a modern shore loader. At a large terminal with good equipment, a gearless ship may be faster and cheaper. At a small port, a geared ship may be the only option, and a gearless offer that looks cheaper can end in shifting, lighterage and demurrage. This is why the discharge port's equipment matters as much as the rate.
| Geared | Gearless | |
|---|---|---|
| Works without shore cranes | Yes | No |
| Typical sizes | Handysize to Ultramax | Panamax and larger |
| Cargo rate | Limited by ship's cranes | Limited by shore equipment, often faster |
| Freight | Often a premium for flexibility | Lower per tonne on suitable routes |
What we check before proposing a ship
We record whether each load and discharge port needs ship's gear and grabs, and whether each candidate ship has them. A ship that cannot work the terminal is dropped from the shortlist with the reason noted, rather than being offered on price alone.
Frequently asked questions
- What does 'geared vessel' mean?
- A ship with its own cranes or derricks, able to load and discharge cargo without shore equipment.
- Are Supramax ships geared?
- Almost always. Most Supramax and Ultramax bulk carriers have four cranes, often fitted with grabs.
- What are grabs?
- Buckets hung from a crane that scoop and release bulk cargo. They can be provided by the ship or by the terminal.
Where this applies on our desk: Handysize chartering, Supramax and ultramax chartering, Cement and clinker shipping and Scrap shipping.