Mid-stream operation is the operation of loading and unloading
cargo containers
Containerization is a system of intermodal freight transport using intermodal containers (also called shipping containers and ISO containers). Containerization is also referred as "Container Stuffing" or "Container Loading", which is the pr ...
at the
container ship while at sea, with
barges or dumb steel
lighters
A lighter is a portable device which creates a flame, and can be used to ignite a variety of items, such as cigarettes, gas lighter, fireworks, candles or campfires. It consists of a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable liquid or ...
performing the transfer,
distribution Distribution may refer to:
Mathematics
*Distribution (mathematics), generalized functions used to formulate solutions of partial differential equations
* Probability distribution, the probability of a particular value or value range of a vari ...
or landing of containers to
piers nearby.
Although mid-stream operation has the significant advantage of low costs, it has been criticized for its dangerous operation where cargoes are transferred between two ships on sea, which make it very difficult to operate.
Hong Kong operations
Mid-stream operation has been abandoned almost everywhere except
Hong Kong, where land is insufficient and the fees for using the container pier are quite high. In Hong Kong, mid-stream operations occur at 12 different locations occupying a total land area of 34.6 hectares and water frontage of 3,513 metres.
Operators include:
* Fat Kee Stevedores Ltd.
* Tai Wah Sea/Land Heavy Transportation Ltd.
* Transward Ltd.
See also
*
Ship-to-ship cargo transfer
ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operation is the transfer of cargo between seagoing ships positioned alongside each other, either while stationary or underway. Cargoes typically transferred via STS methods include crude oil, liquefied gas ( LPG or LNG ...
*
Underway replenishment
*
Port of Hong Kong
*
Stevedore
External links
Mid-stream operation in Hong Kong
Freight transport
Transport in Hong Kong
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