Cargo Ships: Can You Name the Equipment From an Image?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Cargo Ships: Can You Name the Equipment From an Image?
Image: Michael H / DigitalVision / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Cargo, or container ships as they are sometimes called, are an intricate part of transporting goods around the world.

Did you know, these massive container ships are actually fairly new and have only been in operation for the past 60 odd years?  In fact, the first container ship set sail out of Denmark in 1951. 

And they continue to be a very important form of transport in the world today. Why? Well, container ships carry around 90% of the world's non-bulk cargo. Think about that number... it is simply incredible! 

The cargo transported by these ships is divided into two types: bulk cargo and break bulk cargo.

Bulk cargo is transported in the hold of the ship in specially ventilated areas. This type of cargo includes grain, maize and other edible plants, for example. 

Break bulk cargo is manufactured goods and generally transported in packages, for example boxes within a large container, packed tight to help stop breakages. 

Of course, to get this cargo on board a container ship and to manipulate it while at sea requires a range of equipment. Not just cranes but locking mechanisms, ropes, nets and others. The cargo ship also has equipment that helps it complete its task in an efficient manner. 

Let's see how many parts of this equipment you can guess from an image!

Good luck. 

Cargo crane
Thierry Dosogne / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Identify this piece of equipment found on cargo ships.
Cargo crane
Hatch cover
Cargo net
Lifeboat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Large container ships have their own cargo cranes to move containers into position. On smaller ships, this is usually done by cranes on the land.

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Hatch cover
Wiki Commons by Wjwalrus
Any idea what piece of equipment is shown in this image?
Cargo crane
Hatch cover
Cargo net
Lifeboat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many containers are stored below decks in special holds. These are covered with hatch covers which can close and open through the use of a motor and hydraulics.

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Cargo net
skeeze / Pixabay
This is found on cargo ships all over the world, actually on most ships. What is it?
Cargo crane
Hatch cover
Cargo net
Lifeboat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This net is made of heavy duty rope and is normally square in shape. The ropes inside the net form smaller squares and it is used as a way to move containers onto cargo ships.

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Lifeboat
Image Source / Getty Images
Essential in an emergency, what is shown in this image?
Cargo crane
Hatch cover
Cargo net
Lifeboat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In case of emergencies, the life boats on the ship will be dropped in the ocean and the crew will abandon ship if it is sinking.

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Base twist lock
Wiki Commons by Eduard47
This is found on the deck of cargo and container ships. Name this piece of equipment, please.
Base twist lock
Lifeboat
Cargo crane
Hatch cover
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found on the deck of a cargo ship, containers are placed over this lock and then it is locked in position, holding the container fast.

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Mooring gear
Wiki Commons by Buonasera
This helps secure a ship in the harbor. Do you know what the piece of equipment in the image is called?
Hatch cover
Base twist lock
Cargo crane
Mooring gear
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While in harbor and taking on cargo, a cargo ship must be securely fastened to the wharf. This is achieved by the use of mooring gear, which usually takes the form of large ropes which are securely fastened to special mooring stations on the wharf.

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heavy lifting rig
Anucha sirivisansuwan / Moment / getty Images
This consists of an arm and plenty of strong wires. What is it?
Mooring gear
Heavy lift rig
Base twist lock
Cargo net
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A heavy lift rig on a cargo ship consists of an arm and heavy duty wires. This rig is like a mini-crane and can lift smaller containers and move them around the ship.

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Ladder
Wiki Commons by Petty Officer 2nd Class Gloria J. Barry, U.S. Navy
This makes traversing the different levels of the ship all that easier. Name it, please.
Heavy lift rig
Mooring gear
Ladders
Cargo net
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ladders on deck allow crewmen to traverse between the different levels of the cargo ship quickly.

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Cargo Hooks
boonchai wedmakawand / Moment / Getty images
Identify these, which are often used on cargo and container ships.
Cargo hooks
Ladders
Base twist lock
Heavy lift rig
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cargo hooks can be used to attach to wooden boxes and other forms of cargo. This is just one way to move these types of loads onto a cargo ship.

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Palette
supersizer / E+ / getty Images
This square piece of wood is called a ________
Heavy lift rig
Cargo hooks
Ladders
Pallet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sometimes, cargo is stacked on wooden pallets. These need to be lifted onto the cargo ship, which is normally done using hooks or a cargo net.

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lifting sling
wwing / E+ / Getty images
In this image, we have a piece of equipment used to pick up cargo. What is it?
Pallet
Lifting sling
Mooring gear
Hatch cover
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just another way of moving cargo, lifting slings are heavy-duty and able to pick up enormous amounts of weight. They are used in conjunction with cranes.

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Semi-automatic twist lock
Wiki Commons by selbst
These are used to secure containers together. What are they called?
Semi-automatic twist lock
Cargo crane
Ladder
Lifting sling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Semi-automatic twist locks are used in between containers, locking them together.

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Anchor
Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images
An easy one, all ships have this, not just cargo ships. What is it?
Hatch cover
Semi-automatic twist lock
Lifting sling
Anchor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If a cargo ship has to wait outside a harbor, it may need to ensure it remains in the same place. In this situation, it drops its anchor.

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Chain sling
mikeuk / E+ / getty Images
Which piece of equipment used on a cargo or container ship is shown here?
Semi-automatic twist lock
Anchor
Chain sling
Palette
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A chain sling is one of many ways in which containers of various sizes are picked up by booms, lifting rigs or cranes.

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Lashing rods
Wiki Commons by Hervé Cozanet
Another way of securing containers to the deck of the ship is with these. What are they?
Cargo crane
Hatch cover
Chain sling
Lashing rods
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lashing rods are of various lengths. They are used to hold containers on a cargo ship and are tied to them on one end and to the deck of the shop at the other end.

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Hanger stalker
Wiki Commons by joost j. bakker
This helps secure 20-ft containers on all sides. What is it?
Hanger stalker
Hatch to the hold
Ladders
Cargo hold
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hanger stalker - This piece of equipment on a cargo ship is used to secure a 20-ft container on all four sides.

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Grease
Dibjo / Pixabay
Name this lubricant often used on cargo ships.
Base twist lock
Grease
Hanger stalker
Lashing rods
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With plenty of moving equipment on the deck of a cargo ship, grease is applied to moving parts and lashing equipment to keep it in perfect working order.

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Cargo winch
Didgeman / Pixabay
The equipment in this image is called a ________
Anchor
Mooring gear
Grease
Cargo winch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cargo winches are used to arrange containers on the deck of the ship.

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Timber Hooks
PIRO4D / PIxabay
Specifically used to hold onto wood, what are these?
Timber hooks
Cargo winch
Life boat
Bridge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Timber hooks are attached to wooden cargo to help lift it onto the cargo ship.

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Funnel
Wiki Commons by AlfvanBeem
Can you name this part of the ship, vital equipment in keeping it running.
Funnel
Lifting sling
Timber hooks
Palette
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

- Also known as a stack, the funnel allows the exhaust gases or boiler steam to escape the ship.

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Hydraulic systems
lappes / E+ / Getty Images
These are found throughout the ship and are used to help power cranes, for example. What are they?
Funnel
Hydraulic systems
Hatch cover
Cargo winches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A cargo ship has various hydraulic systems, not only to run the ship itself but to power the many lifting devices on it.

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Spammer
Wiki commons by LineGrip G3
This is used to tighten certain locking mechanisms linked to containers. What is it called?
Spammer
Lifeboat
Hydraulic systems
Grease
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also known as a tightening tool, this piece of equipment is used to tighten turnbuckle and bottle screws, ensuring containers remain under tension and do not move.

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Stacking Crane
Monty Rakusen / Cultura / Getty Images
These are massive! Can you name them?
Spammer
Stacking crane
Timber hooks
Chain sling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This crane is used to stack cargo containers on top of each other. These cranes normally straddle the ship, dropping the cargo onto them from above.

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Derrick Boom
Malorny / Moment / Getty Images
Name this lifting device found on cargo and container ships.
Stacking crane
Hydraulic systems
Funnel
Derrick boom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another lifting device, a derrick boom consists of a self-supporting tower and an articulated boom that does the lifting.

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Midlock
Wiki Commons by Hervé Cozanet
Used to secure a container to the deck of a shift, can you name this piece of equipment?
Midlocks
Derrick boom
Cargo crane
Hatch cover
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are used on containers of 20 feet in size and lock them to the deck of the ship.

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Lifting beam
Ezra Bailey / DigitalVision / Getty Images
This piece of equipment is used for placing containers on ships. What is it called?
Spammer
Cargo hold
Midlocks
Lifting beam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This long beam helps to lift containers onto ships after it has been attached to them.

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Fore mast
Wiki Commons by Pjotr Mahhonin
Name this piece of equipment found at the front of a cargo ship?
Fore mast
Lifting beam
Hydraulic systems
Rudder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The fore mast is the mast found at the front of a cargo ship.

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Bridge
Monty Rakusen / Cultura / Getty Images
This area is where the captain runs the cargo ship from. What is it called?
Anchor
Fore mast
Bridge
Funnel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The main base of operations on a cargo ship, the captain will be on the bridge while the ship is at sea, moving toward its destination.

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Fork lifts
Alistair Berg / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Can you name this piece of equipment that is actually mobile?
Spammer
Cargo crane
Fork lifts
Bridge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Larger cargo ships may have their own fork lifts to move smaller cargo around while out at sea. Otherwise, you will see these in the harbor when the ship is been loaded.

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Semi-automatic base twistlock
Youtube by mdiddams
This secures containers to the lowest tier of the cargo ship. Name it, please.
Fore mast
Semi-automatic base twist lock
Fork lifts
Funnel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another form of locking mechanism, these are used on the lowest tier of the container ship to lock containers in place.

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Box hooks
Wiki Commons by TSgt Tony Tolley
Name the equipment shown in this image, please.
Lifeboat
Semi-automatic base twist lock
Box hooks
Lifting sling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Box hooks are attached to wooden cargo to help lift it onto the cargo ship.

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Side loader
Wiki Commons by Cjp24
Another method of getting containers on a ship is to use one of these. What is it?
Side loader
Hydraulic systems
Stacking crane
Box hooks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a specialized truck that helps to load containers on and off a cargo ship, especially to levels of the ship that line up with the dock.

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Propeller
Adie Bush / Cultura / Getty Images
This helps the ship move forward. What is it?
Bridge
Side loader
Rudder
Propeller
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The engine turns the propeller, which in turn makes the cargo ship move forward.

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Rudder
Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images
Once moving, this piece of equipment helps steer the cargo ship.
Side loader
Propeller
Rudder
Bridge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rudder is connected to the bridge and the ship's wheel and determines the direction the cargo ship is moving.

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Main mast
Pexels
What is the cargo ship part in the image called?
Main mast
Anchor
Bridge
Rudder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No, cargo ships don't have sails but they still do have masts. This could have an observation post but generally is used for rigging.

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Cargo hold
Monty Rakusen / Cultura / Getty Images
A massive space, can you name it though?
Timber hooks
Cargo hold
Main mast
Palette
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although containers are often packed above deck, some smaller ones may be placed in the cargo hold of the ship.

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Hold ventilators
mikroman6 / Moment / Getty Images
This piece of equipment moves clean, fresh air around. What is it?
Cargo hold
Hold ventilators
Fore mast
Funnel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many cargo ships have ventilators in their holds to keep fresh air coming in and expelling older air. This is especially important when transporting items which can decompose, for instance food stuffs.

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Radar mast
Wiki Commons by Hervé Cozanet
Any idea as to what this is called?
Hold ventilators
Radar mast
Funnel
Rudder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The radar mast on a cargo ship will contain all the navigational equipment used for plotting the course for the ship.

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Twistlock emergency tool
Youtube by Cargotec
This is used in certain situations to release containers. Can you name it?
Twist lock emergency tool
Mooring post
Radar mast
Ladder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If a twist lock cannot be opened using the usual method (releasing a wire), this tool can open the twist lock and keep it open to allow the container to be moved.

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Turnbuckle and bottle screw
Wiki Commons by Ammodramus
The piece of equipment found on cargo ships pictured here is a ____________
Turnbuckle and bottle screw
Cargo net
Twist lock emergency tool
Cargo winch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another way of keeping tension on secured containers is through a turnbuckle and bottle screw. These ensure the containers don't become loose.

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You Got:
/40
Michael H / DigitalVision / Getty Images