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General cargo ship
General cargo ships are multi-purpose vessels designed to carry break-bulk, containerised, heavy-lift, and project cargo across diverse trades where specialised tonnage is uneconomic or unavailable.
ShipCalculators reference wiki
Maritime industry encyclopedia
A continuously expanding collection of long-form, Wikipedia-style articles on the conventions, technical systems, fuels, ship types, commercial documents, and trade routes that shape the merchant fleet. Every article cross-links to the underlying calculators on ShipCalculators.com and to formula references on the formula site.
420 articles · updated 4 May 2026
Energy efficiency, emissions, and climate
How the IMO, the EU, and class societies measure and price greenhouse-gas emissions from shipping.
- What is CII? Carbon Intensity Indicator explained
- What is EEDI? Energy Efficiency Design Index explained
- What is EEXI? The Energy Efficiency eXisting-ship Index explained
- Slow steaming and CII: when it pays, when it doesn't
- FuelEU Maritime explained: the EU's well-to-wake GHG intensity regime
- FuelEU Maritime: penalties, pooling, and the RFNBO multiplier
- EU ETS for shipping: scope, EUA liability, and the phase-in explained
- IMO DCS vs EU MRV: two reports, one data set
- IMO 2020 sulphur cap
- Cold ironing and shore power: CARB, EU AFIR and FuelEU in one view
International conventions
The treaties that govern construction, operation, manning, and pollution prevention on every commercial ship.
- SOLAS Convention
- MARPOL Convention: Pollution Prevention
- STCW Convention
- Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006)
- ISPS Code: international ship and port facility security
- Polar Code
- ISM Code: International Safety Management Code
- Hong Kong Convention 2009: Ship Recycling
- BWM Convention 2004: Ballast Water Management
- UNCLOS overview for shipping
- Load line
Stability and naval architecture
Hydrostatics, intact and damage stability criteria, and the geometric measures behind ship design.
Propulsion and machinery
Marine engines, fuel-supply systems, and the abatement equipment fitted to keep them within emission limits.
Marine fuels
Properties, regulation, and the energy-transition pathways for the fuels burned by the world fleet.
Ship types
Categories of merchant ship: how each is classed, traded, and engineered to its trade pattern.
Cargo, commercial, and oversight
How cargo is documented and stowed, how vessels are chartered, and who certifies and inspects them.
Navigation, communications, and security
Bridge electronics, distress alerting, and the maritime security regime against piracy and armed robbery.
Trade routes and chokepoints
The narrow waters that route most of the world's seaborne trade, and the alternatives when they close.
Recently added
- BWM Convention 2004: Ballast Water Management 4 May 2026
- SOLAS Chapter XII: Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers 4 May 2026
- MARPOL Annex IV: Sewage from Ships 4 May 2026
- Marine Steering Gear 4 May 2026
- Marine HVAC: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems 4 May 2026
- Marine Fresh Water Generator (FWG) 4 May 2026
- Marine Compressed Air Systems 4 May 2026
- Marine Cargo Pumps and Piping Systems 4 May 2026
- Marine Bilge and Ballast Systems 4 May 2026
- Fuel Switching Operations 4 May 2026
All articles A–Z
- A-Frame and Column Design for Slow-Speed Marine Engines
- ABC (Anglo Belgian Corporation) Marine Diesel Engines
- ABC DZC Series: Belgian High-Speed Marine Engine
- Air Lubrication Systems
- AIS and ECDIS
- Akasaka Diesels: Japanese Coastal Marine Engines
- Alpha Lubricator Electronic Cylinder Lubrication
- Alumina: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Ammonia as marine fuel
- Ammonia Marine Engines: Technology, Fleet, and Outlook
- Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Atlas-Polar Marine Engines
- Ballast Water Exchange Operations
- Bareboat Charter Party
- Barytes: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Battery-Electric Ferries: Technology, Fleet, and Operations
- Battery-Hybrid and Full-Electric Propulsion
- Bauxite: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Bergen B33:45: Medium-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engine
- Berthing Operations and Fender Selection
- Bill of lading
- BIMCO CII and Emissions Clauses
- Biofuels in shipping
- Biomass Pellets: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Black Carbon and Arctic Shipping
- Block coefficient and hull form coefficients
- Bolinder Hot-Bulb Marine Engines
- Bow thruster and stern thruster
- Brown Coal Briquettes: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Bulbous Bow Retrofits
- Bulk carrier
- Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) in Shipping
- Bunker Quality and ISO 8217 Compliance
- Burmeister & Wain: History of the Copenhagen Marine Diesel Pioneer
- BWM Convention 2004: Ballast Water Management
- CARB At-Berth Regulation
- Cargo Draught Survey for Bulk Cargoes
- Cargo Hold Preparation Standards
- Cargo Insurance and Institute Cargo Clauses
- Cargo Securing Manual and CSS Code
- Caterpillar 3500 Series: Marine and Power Engine
- Caterpillar C280: Medium-Speed Marine Engine
- Caterpillar Marine: Corporate History
- Cement Clinkers: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Cement: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Charter Party Speed and Consumption Warranties
- Chemical tanker
- China DCS
- Chrome Ore: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- CII Corrective Action Plan
- Classification society
- Coal: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Cold ironing and shore power: CARB, EU AFIR and FuelEU in one view
- COLREGs Convention
- COLREGs Lights and Shapes: Rules 20 to 31
- COLREGs Sound and Light Signals: Rules 32 to 37
- COLREGs Steering and Sailing Rules: Rules 4 to 19
- Common Rail Fuel Injection on Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- Container ship
- Continuous Survey of Hull and Machinery (CSH/CMS)
- Cooper-Bessemer Marine Diesel and Gas Engines
- Copper Concentrate: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Cross Curves of Stability and KN Tables
- Cross Scavenging in Legacy Two-Stroke Designs
- Crosshead Diesel Engine Architecture Overview
- Crossley Brothers: Manchester Marine Engine Builder
- CSSC Marine Engine Subsidiaries (Hudong, Dalian, CMD, Yichang)
- Cummins Marine: Corporate History
- Cummins QSK Series: High-Speed Marine Engine
- Cylinder Bore and Stroke Selection Criteria for Marine Engines
- Cylinder Compression Pressure (Pcomp) Analysis on Marine Engines
- Cylinder Cover Design and Cooling for Two-Stroke Engines
- Cylinder Liner Design for Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- Cylinder Liner Wear Monitoring on Marine Engines
- Cylinder Lubrication Systems for Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- Cylinder Oil Base Number and Fuel Sulphur Matching
- Cylinder Oil Feed Rate Optimisation
- Cylinder Peak Pressure (Pmax) Analysis on Marine Engines
- Daihatsu Infinearth (formerly Daihatsu Diesel) Marine Engines
- Damage stability
- Demurrage
- Detroit Diesel Marine Engines: Series 71 and Series 92
- Deutz Marine Engines: KHD Heritage and Modern Product Range
- Diammonium Phosphate: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Direct Reduced Iron: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Doxford Opposed-Piston Marine Diesel Engines
- EEXI Engine Power Limitation and ShaPoLi
- EGR Retrofit on Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- Emission Control Areas
- Energy-Saving Devices (ESDs)
- Engine Alignment and Bedplate Flexure
- Engine Bedplate Construction for Marine Diesel Engines
- Engine Derating for Slow Steaming
- Engine Emergency Stop Circuits on Marine Engines
- Engine Governor Systems on Marine Diesel Engines
- Engine Load Diagram and Operating Envelope
- Engine Maintenance Scheduling Overview for Marine Engines
- Engine Performance Monitoring (PMI) on Marine Engines
- Engine Power and BMEP Relationships
- Engine Reversing System on Two-Stroke Marine Diesel Engines
- Engine Room Environmental Management on Marine Vessels
- Engine Sea Trial Procedures for New-Build Ships
- Engine Starting Air System on Marine Diesel Engines
- Engine Telegraph and Remote Control on Marine Engines
- Engine Torsional Vibration Analysis
- English Electric: British Marine and Locomotive Diesels
- EU ETS for shipping: scope, EUA liability, and the phase-in explained
- EU MRV Regulation 2015/757
- EUA Market Mechanics for Shipping
- Exhaust gas cleaning system (scrubber)
- Exhaust Valve Actuation in Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- Fishmeal: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Flag state and flag of convenience
- FONAR and BDN Documentation
- Force Majeure in Shipping
- Four-Stroke Marine Diesel Engine Fundamentals
- Free surface effect
- Freeboard and Reserve Buoyancy
- FSS Code: International Code for Fire Safety Systems
- Fuel Switching Operations
- Fuel Valve (Injector) Design for Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- FuelEU Maritime explained: the EU's well-to-wake GHG intensity regime
- FuelEU Maritime: penalties, pooling, and the RFNBO multiplier
- General Average and York-Antwerp Rules
- General cargo ship
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
- GMT (Grandi Motori Trieste) and Fiat Marine Diesel Engines
- Götaverken Swedish Marine Diesel Engines
- Green Shipping Corridors
- Gypsum: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- GZ Curve and Righting Arm
- Hanshin Diesel Marine Engines
- Hanwha Engine (formerly HSD Engine and Doosan Engine)
- Harland & Wolff Diesel Marine Engines
- Heavy fuel oil
- Heavy Weather Operations
- Hesselman Engine: Hot-Bulb Hybrid History and Marine Use
- HHI-EMD (Hyundai Heavy Industries Engine and Machinery Division)
- High-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engines
- HiMSEN Medium-Speed Marine Engines (Hyundai)
- Hong Kong Convention 2009: Ship Recycling
- Hull and Machinery Insurance
- Hull form design
- Hull Strength and Longitudinal Bending
- Hydrogen as Marine Fuel
- Hydrogen Marine Fuel Cells: Technology, Fleet, and Outlook
- Hydrostatics and Bonjean curves
- IGC Code: Construction of Gas Carriers
- IGF Code: Low-Flashpoint Fuel Ships
- IMDG Class 1: Explosives
- IMDG Class 2: Gases
- IMDG Class 3: Flammable Liquids
- IMDG Class 4: Flammable Solids and Combustibles
- IMDG Class 5: Oxidisers and Organic Peroxides
- IMDG Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances
- IMDG Class 8: Corrosive Substances
- IMDG Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
- IMO 2020 sulphur cap
- IMO DCS vs EU MRV: two reports, one data set
- IMO GHG Strategy
- IMO Net-Zero Framework
- IMSBC Code
- IMSBC Group A cargoes: Cargoes that may liquefy
- IMSBC Group B cargoes: Cargoes with chemical hazards
- IMSBC Group C cargoes: Cargoes that are neither Group A nor Group B
- Indicator Diagram Analysis on Marine Diesel Engines
- Intact stability
- International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code)
- Iron Ore Concentrate: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Iron Ore Pellets: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Iron Ore: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- ISM Code: International Safety Management Code
- ISPS Code: international ship and port facility security
- John G. Kincaid: Greenock Marine Engine Builder
- Just-In-Time Arrival
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries Marine Engines
- Knock-for-Knock Indemnity Clauses
- Kockums: Shipyard and Marine Engineering History
- Krupp Marine Engines: ThyssenKrupp Lineage and Marine Engineering
- Laytime
- Lead Concentrate: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Letter of Indemnity in Shipping
- Lightweight versus Deadweight
- Limestone: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Lister Petter Marine Engines
- LLMC Convention on Limitation of Maritime Claims
- LNG as marine fuel
- LNG Cargo Containment Systems
- LNG carrier
- LNG fuel system (onboard)
- Load line
- Loop Scavenging Versus Uniflow Scavenging in Two-Stroke Engines
- Loss of Hire Insurance
- LSA Code: International Life-Saving Appliance Code
- Maize: IMSBC Code and International Grain Code Carriage
- MaK (Maschinenbau Kiel) Marine Diesel Engines
- MAN 32/40: Medium-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engine
- MAN 48/60: Medium-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engine
- MAN B&W ME-C Electronic Control Overview
- MAN Energy Solutions: Corporate History
- MAN L21/31: Medium-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engine
- MAN L32/44CR: Medium-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engine
- Manganese Ore: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Marine Anchor and Anchor Handling Equipment
- Marine Anti-Heeling and Heeling Control Systems
- Marine Auxiliary Engines and Generators
- Marine Ballast Water Management Systems
- Marine Bilge and Ballast Systems
- Marine Boilers and Steam Systems
- Marine Bow Doors and Stern Ramps
- Marine Bridge Equipment and Integrated Bridge Systems
- Marine Cargo Damage Investigation
- Marine Cargo Handling Cranes and Derricks
- Marine Cargo Hold Ventilation
- Marine Cargo Pumps and Piping Systems
- Marine Cargo Securing and Lashing Systems
- Marine Cargo Tank Heating Systems
- Marine Cathodic Protection and Hull Coatings
- Marine Compressed Air Systems
- Marine Confined Space Entry and Tank Inspection
- Marine Crew Accommodation and Welfare
- Marine diesel engine
- Marine Domestic Water Systems
- Marine Dynamic Positioning Systems
- Marine Electrical Generation and Distribution
- Marine Engine Camshaft and Valve Train
- Marine Engine Combustion Analysis
- Marine Engine Common Rail Technology
- Marine Engine Crankshaft and Main Bearings
- Marine Engine Cylinder Liners and Pistons
- Marine Engine Fuel Injection Systems
- Marine Engine Performance Monitoring
- Marine Engine Room Automation and Monitoring
- Marine Engine Room Ventilation and Uptakes
- Marine Engine Turbocharging
- Marine Fire Detection and Fixed Fire Fighting Systems
- Marine Fresh Water Generator (FWG)
- Marine Fuel and Lube Oil Purifiers (Centrifugal Separators)
- Marine Fuel Oil Systems
- Marine Galley Equipment and Provisions Handling
- Marine gas oil
- Marine gas turbine
- Marine Gas Turbines: GE LM2500, Rolls-Royce MT30, and the Naval Propulsion Standard
- Marine Hatch Covers and Weathertight Closures
- Marine Helicopter Operations and Helidecks
- Marine HVAC: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems
- Marine Hydraulic Systems
- Marine Inert Gas Systems
- Marine Lifeboats and Survival Craft
- Marine Lubricating Oil Systems
- Marine Mooring Equipment and Winches
- Marine Oily Water Separators and Bilge Water Treatment
- Marine Pilot Ladders and Accommodation Ladders
- Marine Pressure Vessel Inspection
- Marine propeller
- Marine Propeller Pitch and Construction
- Marine Propulsion Shafting and Stern Tube Systems
- Marine Reduction Gears
- Marine Reefer Container Systems
- Marine Refrigeration and Cargo Cooling
- Marine Sea Water Cooling Systems
- Marine Sewage and Grey Water Treatment Systems
- Marine Spare Parts and Maintenance Management
- Marine Stabilisers
- Marine Stability Booklet and Loading Computer
- Marine Steam Turbines: Technology, History, and Modern Use
- Marine Steering Gear
- Marine Tank Cleaning and Crude Oil Washing
- Marine Tank Gauging Systems
- Marine Vapor Recovery and VOC Management
- Marine Voyage Planning and Routing
- Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006)
- Maritime Lien and Ship Arrest
- Maritime piracy and Best Management Practices
- MARPOL Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
- MARPOL Annex II: Noxious Liquid Substances
- MARPOL Annex III: Harmful Substances in Packaged Form
- MARPOL Annex IV: Sewage from Ships
- MARPOL Annex V: Garbage from Ships
- MARPOL Annex VI
- MARPOL Convention: Pollution Prevention
- Medium-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engines
- Metacentric height (GM)
- Methane Slip from LNG Dual-Fuel Engines
- Methanol as marine fuel
- Methanol Marine Engines: Technology, Fleet, and Outlook
- Mirrlees Blackstone: British Marine and Industrial Diesels
- Mitsubishi UE Engine Family Overview
- Mitsubishi UEC Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- Mitsui E&S DU: Japan's Oldest Slow-Speed Two-Stroke Licensee
- Mooring Forces and Station-keeping
- Moteurs Baudouin (Weichai) Marine Engines
- MTU Series 4000: High-Speed Marine Engine
- N2O Emissions from Marine Engines
- Naval Architecture Coefficients
- Naval Nuclear Propulsion: Overview of US, UK, French, Russian, Chinese, and Indian Fleets
- Nickel Ore: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Niigata Power Systems / IHI Marine Engines
- NOHAB and Polar Marine Diesel Engines
- Notice of Readiness
- NOx Tier I, II and III
- Off-Hire and Performance Claims
- Oil tanker
- Onboard Carbon Capture
- P&I Clubs and the International Group
- Panama Canal
- Passenger Ship
- Paxman Marine Engines
- Petroleum Coke: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Phosphate Rock: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Pig Iron: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Pilot Injection in Dual-Fuel Marine Engines
- Pilotage Operations
- Piston Crown Cooling in Slow-Speed Marine Engines
- Piston Ring Pack Design for Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- Piston Rod Stuffing Box Function and Maintenance
- Polar Code
- Port state control
- Poseidon Principles
- Potash: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Probabilistic Damage Stability
- Propeller Theory Deep Dive
- Pulse Lubrication Systems on Marine Engines
- Resistance Components Deep Dive
- Reversible laytime and despatch
- RFNBO under EU Rules
- Rice: IMSBC Code and International Grain Code Carriage
- RightShip GHG Rating
- Ro-ro vessel
- Rolls-Royce Power Systems and MTU Corporate History
- Rudder and Steering Systems
- Ruston: British Marine and Industrial Engines
- Salt: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Sand: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Scavenge Port Geometry and Timing in Two-Stroke Engines
- SCR Retrofit on Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- Sea Cargo Charter
- Sea Trials and Performance Testing
- Seakeeping
- SEEMP I, II and III
- Selective catalytic reduction (marine NOx Tier III)
- SEMT-Pielstick Marine Diesel Engines: History and Legacy
- SEMT-Pielstick: Medium-Speed Marine Diesel Engines
- Ship Lines Plan
- Ship Motions in Waves
- Ship resistance and powering
- Ship Sale and Purchase (Memorandum of Agreement)
- Ship Vibration
- SIRE Tanker Inspections (OCIMF)
- Slow Steaming
- Slow steaming and CII: when it pays, when it doesn't
- Slow Steaming and Engine Cleanliness
- Soda Ash: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- SOLAS Chapter II-1: Construction and Stability
- SOLAS Chapter II-2: Fire Protection, Detection and Extinction
- SOLAS Chapter III: Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements
- SOLAS Chapter IV: Radio Communications and the GMDSS
- SOLAS Chapter V: Safety of Navigation
- SOLAS Chapter VI: Carriage of Cargoes and Oil Fuels
- SOLAS Chapter VII: Carriage of Dangerous Goods
- SOLAS Chapter VIII: Nuclear Ships
- SOLAS Chapter X: Safety Measures for High-Speed Craft
- SOLAS Chapter XI-1: Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Safety
- SOLAS Chapter XII: Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers
- SOLAS Chapter XIII: Verification of Compliance
- SOLAS Chapter XV: Industrial Personnel
- SOLAS Convention
- Soya Beans: IMSBC Code and International Grain Code Carriage
- Specific fuel oil consumption (SFOC)
- Specific Fuel Oil Consumption Curves on Marine Engines
- Squat Effect
- Statement of Facts
- STCW Convention
- Steel Scrap: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Stockholm Agreement
- Stork-Werkspoor Marine Diesel Engines
- Strait of Malacca
- Subdivision and Floodable Length
- Suez Canal
- Sugar: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Sulphur: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Sulzer Marine Diesel Engines: History 1898 to 1997
- Tier III Compliant Two-Stroke Engines
- Time charter party
- Tonnage measurement of ships
- Towage and Salvage Operations
- Trim and list
- Trim Optimisation
- Trunk Piston Engine Architecture for Marine Engines
- Tug Operations and Bollard Pull
- Two-Stroke Marine Diesel Engine Fundamentals
- Two-Stroke Marine Engine Future Developments
- UK ETS for Shipping
- UNCLOS overview for shipping
- Uniflow Scavenging in Two-Stroke Marine Engines
- Urea: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Voluntary Carbon Credits in Shipping
- Volvo Penta Marine Engines and the IPS Pod-Drive System
- Voyage charter party
- War Risks Insurance
- Wärtsilä 20: Medium-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engine
- Wartsila 31 Medium-Speed Marine Engine
- Wärtsilä 32: Medium-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engine
- Wärtsilä 46F: Medium-Speed Four-Stroke Marine Engine
- Wärtsilä 50DF: Dual-Fuel Medium-Speed Marine Engine
- Wärtsilä Corporate History
- Waste heat recovery system
- Weather Routing
- Well-to-Wake Intensity
- Wetted Surface Area
- What is AER (Annual Efficiency Ratio)?
- What is CII? Carbon Intensity Indicator explained
- What is EEDI? Energy Efficiency Design Index explained
- What is EEXI? The Energy Efficiency eXisting-ship Index explained
- Wheat: IMSBC Code and International Grain Code Carriage
- Wind-Assisted Propulsion
- WinGD X-DF Dual-Fuel Engine Architecture
- Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) — Corporate History
- Yanmar Marine Diesel Engines
- Zinc Concentrate: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage