| The thesis presents a survey of the lifting equipment that was available in ports and on ships in 1962. The information for ports concerns the amount of the equipment installed in 32 British and some foreign ports while the information on ships concerns the amount of the equipment fitted on 4718 ocean-going general cargo ships of all nationalities which were built between 1947 and 1962. An analysis is presented of the general cargo handling equipment available both in ports and on ships, several tables being included to show the number and capacity of cranes and derricks. A similar but more detailed analysis is made of the heavy-lift equipment available, with tables, giving relationships between the equipment fitted and the nationality, year of build and size of the ships. The general use of heavy-lift equipment together with the number and capacity of the loads haniled during 1962 is analysed for the 32 ports and some ships. The movement of all very heavy unit loads by road and rail is considered for 1962 in particular and reference is made to the methods of transporting these loads by sea. An assessment of the costs of the lifting equipment is made. In particular ports and ships are compared as regards the costs and revenue appropriate to the installation and operation of heavy-lift equipment. The thesis is concluded with a discussion of and suggestions for how and where lifting equipment should be provided to give greater efficiency, in particular for heavy-lift purposes. The types of lifting equipment are not described, but adequate descriptions are contained in references listed in a bibliograpy, which includes other relevant publications. |
