Ore-bulk-oil carrier facts for kids
An ore-bulk-oil carrier, often called a combination carrier or simply an OBO, is a unique type of ship. It can carry both liquid cargo, like oil, and dry cargo, like ore or grain. The main idea behind these ships is to make sure they are almost always carrying something. This helps reduce the number of times a large ship travels empty across the ocean.
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What is an OBO Carrier?
An OBO carrier is like a super versatile truck of the sea. Most ships are built for just one type of cargo, either liquids (like oil tankers) or dry goods (like bulk carriers). But OBO ships can do both! This means they have special features that allow them to switch between carrying different materials.
Why are OBO Carriers Special?
The biggest advantage of an OBO carrier is its flexibility. Imagine a ship that delivers oil from one country. Instead of returning empty, it can clean its tanks and then pick up a load of iron ore from another port on its way back. This saves a lot of time and money because the ship is always working and earning. It helps reduce "empty voyages," which are trips where a ship travels without any cargo.
How Do They Work?
OBO carriers have large cargo holds that can be used for either dry bulk cargo or liquid cargo.
- For dry cargo, like ore or grain, the holds are open from the top, and the cargo is loaded directly into them.
- For liquid cargo, like oil, the same holds are used, but they are sealed to prevent leaks. The ship uses a system of pipes and pumps to load and unload the oil.
Switching between cargo types requires careful cleaning of the holds to prevent contamination. For example, you wouldn't want oil residue mixing with grain!
Are They Still Around?
OBO carriers were very popular in the 1970s and 1980s. They offered a great way to make shipping more efficient. However, over time, their numbers have decreased. This is partly because building and maintaining these ships can be more complex than building ships designed for just one type of cargo. Also, there are strict rules about cleaning the holds when switching between different cargo types, especially between oil and food products.
Famous OBO Carriers
One of the most well-known OBO carriers was the Derbyshire. This ship was very large for its time. Sadly, the Derbyshire disappeared in 1980 during a powerful typhoon in the Pacific. Its loss led to many important changes in how ships are designed and built to be safer.
