COST IMPLICATIONS OF THE CHOICE OF RO-RO EQUIPMENT

This paper aims to stimulate operators to a careful evaluation of the requirements embodied in specifications of Ro-Ro vessels: by indicating how those requirements constrain the designer and hence affect costs; by giving concrete comparisions of the price of different types of Ro-Ro cargo access equipment. Both large and small Ro-Ro ships are considered, but comparisons between Ro-Ro and alternative methods of cargohandling are not made. A basic assumption in the cases considered being that Ro-Ro has been accepted as the optimum transportation system. A distinction is made between fixed and variable ingredients of the specification but it is shown that while such a distinction serves as a useful working hypothesis, even the most inviolable of basic factors may require reappraisal as the cost implications become clear. Continual comparison of the solutions arrived at with the overall costings and technical context of the project in question is therefore advocated. Herein is seen the key to successful long-term economy. Among factors influencing the cost of Ro-Ro access equipment, the paper makes mention of some not always considered in this light--such as the working environment and choice of machinery, for example. Throughout, three requirements are seen as brooking no compromise: maximum simplicity, reliability and fitness for purpose. A basic assumption in this paper is that Ro-Ro cargohandling has been identified as the most viable alternative in each of the cases discussed. There will therefore be no comparisons between Ro-Ro and other means of cargohandling; which is not to say that the various arrangements examined in this paper, and the cost comparisons which are made, might not be fully or partly valid in vessels of combined type, such as Ro-Ro/bulk gearless or Ro-Ro/Lo-Lo.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Ro-Ro 77 Conference (International Conference on Marine Transport using Roll-on/Roll-off Methods), London, June 21-22, 1977. Cost of Proceedings is $70.00.
• Corporate Authors:

  Business Meetings Limited

  2 Station Road
  Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 1QP,   England 
• Authors:
  • Hanson, P A
• Conference:
  • Presented at the Ro-Ro 77 Conference (International Conference on Marine Transport using Roll-on/Roll-off Methods), London, June 21-22, 1977. Cost of Proceedings is $70.00.
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 85-94

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Cargo handling; Cargo handling equipment; Costs; Economic analysis; Heavy lift vessels; Ice navigation; Lifting equipment; Roll on roll off ships
• Old TRIS Terms: Heavy lifts; Slewing ramps
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172100
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Business Meetings Limited
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1978 12:00AM