The marine logistics industry is a vast one, with astronomically huge vessels carrying various cargo loads throughout the world, often in dangerous waters. Although mobile, these large ships cannot always dock where they need to in order to pick up valuable supplies. There are strict protocols involved in a ship coming into port and, oftentimes, the hassle of docking at a harbour unnecessarily is not worth the ship's requirements at that particular port. This is why there are marine logistics companies that provide various solutions to large ships and sea vessels.
Sea vessels do not only require assistance due to the avoidance of red tape at ports that they need not dock in - they also require assistance when they are anchored out at sea for extended periods of time. A mining vessel, for example, need not remove anchorage and set sail for a dock, going through the rigorous admin of papers and authorisation. Fortunately, a good marine logistics company will be able to send a vessel out to the mining ship to bring supplies and all that is needed by the mining vessel without the vessel needing to go anywhere.
Marine transport services will usually be acquired by a facilities management company that provides holistic services to various trade centres such as mining, industrial and commercial industries. To better understand marine transport solutions, it is best to highlight the services provided by a marine transport services company, which include:
- Towing and salvage for vessels in distress that may otherwise perish or sink without assistance.
[/*]- Delivery of fresh water, food and other supplies for the ship's crew.
[/*]- Delivery of medical supplies or medical staff as and if required on-board.
[/*]- Launching of logistic supplies to offshore rigs and mining vessels.
[/*]- Offshore and out-of-port-limits transfers of personnel, airfreight and any other supplies required on-board.
[/*]- Waste and sludge can be given to the assisting vessel and disposed of accordingly.
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These logistics services to the marine industry will usually be carried out by a smaller sea vessel, usually in the form of a tugboat (when towing is required) and other smaller sea craft designed for swift journeys. These vessels also need to be suitable for navigating deep and sometimes tumultuous waters, with state-of-the-art satellite navigation and communication software. Larger ships may require more than one smaller boat to tow or assist with various needs.
In many instances, shipping and mining companies will sign extensive service contracts with marine transport solutions to ensure that everyone is on the same page when a ship is coming into local waters. This also means that any requirements are taken care of and the outsourced company comes to meet the ship as per their GPS location at a specified time and on a specified day. Marine transport solutions are incredibly useful and complex and, due to the sensitive and sometimes perilous nature of the ocean, only the best marine services companies should be used.
