According to Peter Peltenburg, CEO of Dutch-based Cargo Care Solutions, the weight of extra containers and cargo is placing massive amounts of stress on ships’ hatch covers and lashing gear. Containership owners are placing more emphasis on the repair and maintenance of their hatch covers and container lashing equipment as the full loading caused by trong market conditions impacts the condition of their ships.
“With the current strong market conditions, shipowners cannot afford to incur any downtime of their vessels due to a lack of maintenance. And it is the same when it comes to vessel damage impacting on the vessel’s cargo carrying capacity. If you lose any capacity then vessel revenues are immediately hit.” Mr. Peltenburg said.
He added, “These vessels are currently running at maximum capacity and that will take its toll. A vessel that has not been trading at full capacity going into drydock every five years will have these bits of equipment repaired as a matter of anticipated wear and tear.”
“This heightened level of focus by owners on the maintenance of their vessels is not increasing pressure on suppliers,” continued Mr. Peltenburg, because companies are well positioned to meet the demands of the market.
But we are receiving more requests for servicing of hatch covers and lashing gear, whereas before, shipowners would focus less on the condition of the hatch covers or lashing gear or undertake essential repairs themselves.