The transport industry is busier than
ever. The international trade is keeping the industry on a leash and the
companies involved in the trade are so busy they barely have time even
for upgrading and repairs. Now the sea ports are so busy with the ships
coming in and moving out it seems that the entire world relies on the
import and export business. The busy schedules are being so enjoyed by
the industry that their assets are increasing by leaps and bounds each
year and a small shipping company becomes a medium sized company within
no time and soon it is also joined in the bigger companies groups.
But being in the transport business is not just about multiplying the assets overnight; the doom which looms over the industry can easily wipe out a company which couldn’t even make itself stable in the industry. Without paying attention to the Hatch cover maintenance and watertight integrity testing a ship can easily become a net floating on the surface of water rather than a reliable vehicle. Have you ever seen a rust form on a vehicle or some metal? If the metal is exposed to the air without water falling on it, rust will appear the next day as you come back to see it. Leave it without applying any remedy, and the rust will start expanding like wildfire and the entire metal sheet will soon like a sheet of rust.
Now think about the ship which is also a combination of metal sheets and is exposed to the highest levels of humidity in the air. Let alone the high humidity levels, it is constantly in contact with water which is filled with very high levels of salts and minerals. This water is even more harmful than acid and can easily fill the metal with rust within seconds and the humidity levels in the air act as a catalyst. Forming of the rust speeds up very quickly and the smallest metal piece exposed to the air soon disappears and a hole is seen in its place.
Unless these holes are repaired, the entire ship will soon be no more a combination of metal sheets but it will be a metal net with more holes and less penetration. In order to stay in shape, a ship does not need to be tested for holes around the hatch covers but it also needs the watertight compartment doors testing so that the inside of the ship also remains safe and no harm comes to the interior and the crew which has to remain present 24/7 on the ship during the voyages.
But being in the transport business is not just about multiplying the assets overnight; the doom which looms over the industry can easily wipe out a company which couldn’t even make itself stable in the industry. Without paying attention to the Hatch cover maintenance and watertight integrity testing a ship can easily become a net floating on the surface of water rather than a reliable vehicle. Have you ever seen a rust form on a vehicle or some metal? If the metal is exposed to the air without water falling on it, rust will appear the next day as you come back to see it. Leave it without applying any remedy, and the rust will start expanding like wildfire and the entire metal sheet will soon like a sheet of rust.
Now think about the ship which is also a combination of metal sheets and is exposed to the highest levels of humidity in the air. Let alone the high humidity levels, it is constantly in contact with water which is filled with very high levels of salts and minerals. This water is even more harmful than acid and can easily fill the metal with rust within seconds and the humidity levels in the air act as a catalyst. Forming of the rust speeds up very quickly and the smallest metal piece exposed to the air soon disappears and a hole is seen in its place.
Unless these holes are repaired, the entire ship will soon be no more a combination of metal sheets but it will be a metal net with more holes and less penetration. In order to stay in shape, a ship does not need to be tested for holes around the hatch covers but it also needs the watertight compartment doors testing so that the inside of the ship also remains safe and no harm comes to the interior and the crew which has to remain present 24/7 on the ship during the voyages.
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