Ports of the World

[ombugge]

We have threads dedicated to many places in the the world but there doesn't appear to be any dedicated to Ports of the World, which is a shame in a maritime slanted forum.

It is time to correct that, so here is some pictures from one of the oldest and best known ports in the world, Shanghai.

During a recent visit to Shanghai I did not get to see any of the new Container Ports, now the World's busiest, (It overtook Singapore last year) and said to be equipped with the latest and the best of facilities and equipment. Steadily expanding to accommodate the new generation of giant Container Vessels.

I visited Longwu Port, which is just about as far up the Huangpu River as you can get with an Ocean going ship of any size.
This is a conventional port, mainly dedicated to Logs and Bulk cargoes, but also used for Project Cargo.

Here is the Multi-purpose Cargo vessel MV "BBC Thames" alongside to load 3 Heli-Rigs for Manaus, Brazil:

[ombugge]

The cargo had been trucked in from Sichuan Province, some 1,500 km. away as the crows fly:


And was loaded on board over a period of 4 days:

[ombugge]

But the main cargo handled at Longwu Port was logs, as can be seen in the background here:



That would be a pretty good size forest right there.

[ombugge]

Handled by Front loaders:


Mostly from North America:

An attempt to be a bit Artistic. (Maybe influenced by CVF??)

[ombugge]

Most leave the port area on trucks, but some were loaded on river barges:

[ombugge]

There are also coal barges being marshaled at this port:


And other vessels arriving and leaving:

This one carried Railroad tracks from Spain.

More of the river traffic later.

[Ralf__]

Perfect idea for a new thread! Thank you for showing these pictures to us. Especially the non-container-business in ports will show us the differences between the various parts of the world. Look at these antique barges! I don't think the people are able to earn reliable moneys with them!

[Steve.B]

I do not think i have ever seen so many logs in one place. I agree that we must be looking at a fair sized forest laying there. I wonder how long it would take that port to 'turn around' that amount of logs? Just wondering how many forests a port like this can handle each year?

[pakarang]

Mostly from North America:

An attempt to be a bit Artistic. (Maybe influenced by CVF??)

This is a very cool picture ombugge!

It reminds me of a nightmare from my childhood.... the screaming people down in h3ll stretching their arms trying to pull me down into the well....

[pilotdane]

Thanks for the views of the port.

I am still wondering what they are doing with so many logs from North America? Lumber for houses, furniture or maybe even pallets to ship goods back to N. America. I always assumed China had a lot of forest but with such a large and growing population & economy maybe their trees were all cut long ago.

[ombugge]

Thanks for the views of the port.

I am still wondering what they are doing with so many logs from North America? Lumber for houses, furniture or maybe even pallets to ship goods back to N. America. I always assumed China had a lot of forest but with such a large and growing population & economy maybe their trees were all cut long ago.

Maybe it is re-exported as "Swedish furniture" and sold by IKEA world wide???

[ombugge]

Look at these antique barges! I don't think the people are able to earn reliable moneys with them!

These small river barges are numerous and used all over China. Very basic but efficient for their purpose. Mostly family owned and operated by female crew for a large part.

Here is a closer look at the Log Carriers.

The living quarters aft is very basic:


Spring in the air. Time to air out the beddings:

[ombugge]

Life is full of hard knocks:


Light and loaded:

[ombugge]

The wheel house is low to pass even the lowest of bridges on the Grand Canal:

Mooring ropes and slings are one and the same.

A look inside the wheel house:


Overview of the three barges featured above:

Also shown earlier.

[ombugge]

A couple more river barges seen at Longwu Port, Shanghai:




To finish off the Log barge saga, here is one of "ours" heading up river:

[pilotdane]

...

....

I especially like the nice leather chair, GPS, digital chart plotter and autopilot.

[ombugge]

A patrol boat from China Maritime Security Authorities heading up river:


Another one heading down river:

[ombugge]

Water Boat:


The same Water Boat alongside MV BBC Thames:

[ombugge]

An empty River barge heading up river:


And a similar one loaded with Steel Wire Coils heading in the same direction:

[ombugge]

As does this better looking Container Barge:


Passing by a Dredger working in the river: