Building a Top-Line Vessel

Constructing a top-line vessel is essential if you want to transport goods for a long period successfully without lingering issues. Ships that carry passengers or cargo are generally built in marine manufacturers’ shipyards. Construction of vessels could also be from a boatyard or smaller private facilities. Usually, the facility to be used depends on the ship’s specifications and the number of vessels scheduled for construction. 

Those who work in these yards are called shipwrights. Their expertise also extends to ship repairs or construction of smaller marine vessels. 

How Are Ships Constructed?

Like other vessels, ship construction begins with the design of the vessel’s parts. Naval architects usually do the design, and once the design is complete, construction of the parts follows. Most boat parts use bronze or stainless steel as their raw materials. 

Generally, the hull is the first part of the construction process. Parts of the hull have steel plates pressed by hydraulic presses. Mechanized rollers then bend the hulls and give them contours. In most shipyards, steel plates pass through at least three rollers to put pressure onto the plates and shape them. 

Once the hulls are complete, the construction of frames begins. Frames reinforce the hull’s structure on the ship. They are bent to the hull’s shape using heat and pressure. Shipwrights bolt the hulls and frames together so they will not fall apart once the ship sets sail. Other shipyards use steel fasteners, the most common being the Alloy 20 head cap screws.

Assembly of the hull is done in phases or also known as sub-assemblies. One sub-assembly is usually equivalent to one section of the boat, whether for the first-class section or the crew’s cabin. 

The Construction Process

Generally, each sub-assembly involves tons of steel being brought together and fastened in a shipyard. Once fastened together, transport vehicles move them to the dock to fill in the ship’s body. 

Once the shipwrights have completed a sub-assembly, trucks transport these to the dock. On the dock, cranes lift the sub-assemblies where a different group of shipwrights would fasten them to create a watertight body. 

After the hull, the rest of the ship sections would follow suit. Their order of construction depends on the naval architect in charge. 

Some shipyards construct ship sections using pre-installed equipment, electrical wires, and mechanical lifts to help the shipwrights. This equipment allows speedy installations without sacrificing the hull’s stability. This method is called block construction.

Aside from pre-installed equipment in block construction, sections could also be pre-built. Some of the more advanced shipyards can mechanize the construction of ship sections so that upon arrival of such sections to the building dock, the shipwrights will be the ones to finish the job. 

One advantage of the block construction method is that shipyards could add more components into the hull sections without relying much on manual work. This method reduces the risk of accidents, required time, and the chance of errors. 

Block construction also eases the effort required during the final assembly, where the whole hull section is welded and tested for durability. Almost all ships constructed with block construction methods pass the test without the need to replace hull sections.  

What Type of Marine Manufacturer’s Insurance Can You Offer Your Client?

One good example of marine insurance could be a policy that covers the liability of the manufacturers in terms of materials used in the construction. Insurance companies would cover theft or delivery of damaged and faulty materials. Aside from the value of the materials, insurance companies may extend the coverage to protect the ship manufacturer from accidents that may occur during construction. 

To determine which insurance is best for individuals and private entities in the marine industry, the Scope of Marine Insurance is essential. This document contains the scope of the insurance company’s contractual obligations towards their clients. 

Here are other marine insurance that provides holistic benefits to those in the maritime vessel industry.

Freight Insurance

Freight insurance provides coverage for damaged cargo during transit, whether due to natural calamities such as storms or human errors that could cause an accident. The freight operator would give proportionate compensation for the damage received. 

Liability Insurance

Liability Insurance usually shifts the legal liability from the shipping company to the insurance company. The insurance company would shoulder the liability to compensate passengers and their families should accidents and disasters occur while aboard the ship.

Hull Insurance

Hull insurance provides manufacturers with coverage that protects the transport of hull parts. The coverage includes the vehicle used. The manufacturer could file a claim for any accidents or unexpected damages to the vehicle. 

About Merrimac Marine Insurance

At Merrimac Marine, we are dedicated to providing insurance for the marine industry to protect your clients’ business and assets. For more information about our products and programs, contact our specialists today at (800) 681-1998.