1. Introduction to Ships

Over the years as international trade increased and also bulk transportation of goods became more and more necessary, various types of ships came into being depending on the type of cargo that needs to be carried. This trade will naturally involve very high volume of transportation of all kinds of items starting from bulk grain, ore, coal to crude, automobiles and various other kinds of farm and engineering products. Passenger ships and inter island ferries also play a very important role in transportation as well as tourism. These vessels, their outward features, i.e. the hull form may not be very different, but the internal structural arrangement will be very much dependent on the type of cargo the vessel needs to carry. The internal structural arrangement should be such that it will facilitate loading, stowage and unloading of the cargo. And needless to say, should ensure safe transportation of the cargo. It naturally implies that the structure will be able to sustain all the service loads and also at the same time the hull form should be hydrodynamically efficient.