What is PCC in Shipping?

Have you ever read the abbreviation PCC when researching your shipping options and needed clarification? Don't worry if you have; many folks need to learn what PCC stands for.

PPC is an abbreviation for a type of cargo ship. At first glance, a PCC may seem like any other cargo ship. Look a little closer; you'll find significant differences from conventional cargo ships.

For one, PCCs have unique features that allow them to securely hold vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

Additionally, the logistics of loading and unloading thousands of cars from a single ship require intricate planning and coordination.

Read on to find out what PCC stands for and its importance to the global auto transport industry.

What Is A PCC?

The PCC shipping abbreviation stands for Pure Car Carriers (PCC). These multi-layered deck-structure vessels are specially designed to move a large volume of passenger automobiles, making them ideal for automakers that need to get their products where they need to go.

An average modern PCC can hold over 6,000 cars across 13 stacked decks, creating a veritable skyscraper on the ocean waves.

As such, these ships are strong enough to withstand the harsh conditions of long ocean voyages while maintaining the integrity and delicate nature of passenger motorcars.

Several features make PCCs very desirable in the shipping industry. They consume low fuel regardless of whether they run empty or load engines for deliveries and have more efficient turning characteristics than other vessels.

Additionally, their large capacity means fewer trips back and forth for stocking purposes and potentially reducing overall distribution costs in bringing motorcars from distant countries worldwide.

Overall, it's not hard to see why Pure Car Carriers have become indispensable tools for international automotive markets. PCC & RORO ships are the same and an integral part of the shipping industry.

A Brief History of PCC's

For most of the 20th century, car transportation at sea revolved around heavy bulk carriers such as Panamax and Supramax vessels, which could manage load and unload operations with onboard derrick cranes.

Such ships were also equipped with portable motorcar platforms to assist in their process, making freight transfers easier.

However, it soon became apparent that this laborious (albeit effective) conveyance system was no longer plausible due to the high global demand for cars from many different sources. This prompted the invention of something new: the purpose-built Pure Car Carrier ship.

The first bow doors on a RoRo ship were seen on the 1963 Aniara vessel and paved the way for further improvements and innovations over the next decade.

Vessel designs were altered to add extra decks capable of carrying up to 6,000 - 8,000 automobiles.

The PCC model would transform motorcar shipping by sea with its wide range of improved safety regulations, multi-layer deck design, fuel economy, and space savings.

Nowadays, these reliable cargo carriers are seen in every major port worldwide, managing ever-increasing loads of motorcars that need to be transported overseas efficiently.

How Are Cars Loaded?

Car carriers are specialized vessels designed to transport cars and other vehicles worldwide. A large team of drivers usually waits when loading an automobile carrier at the port.

Every car that needs to be loaded must already have the keys—this is an essential precondition for quick, successful cargo ship loading and unloading operations.

Once the car is in its designated space on board the ship, it must be securely fastened with straps. This ensures that the vehicle remains inside its compartment and that no other items will be damaged due to the ship's movement during its journey.

When all vehicles have been appropriately loaded onto the motorcar carrier, highly trained personnel will use special cranes or forklifts to ensure complete and safe sealing of each deck before departure. The ship will then set sail with all its precious four-wheeled cargo safely secured and ready to reach its final destination.

Unloading operates similarly, with each vehicle carefully lowered off-board and driven away. Car carriers thus present an invaluable service to companies who need to haul their goods across oceans efficiently and safely.

The Design & Technical Features?

Car carriers are unmistakable due to their high side walls, which protect vehicles during transport and reduce wind resistance. This vast expanse of side walls also provides an excellent challenge for captains when navigating in storms, as the ships can easily drift off course if not appropriately handled.

Inside these vast car carriers, several tween-decks allow vehicles to be loaded atop one another to maximize the available cargo space. Additionally, ramps have been installed inside these vessels so that cars can easily be taken up and down different decks.

The ingenious design of these car carriers ensures that space is used optimally with low-height tween decks and adjustable ones, too, in some cases. This attention to detail allows for a higher capacity of cars per ship while still keeping as much free room as possible on board.

"So, What's a Specialized Vehicle Transport Ship?"

The pure car truck carrier (PCTC) is a specialized vessel designed to haul various rolling cargo items such as cars, trucks, construction equipment, and other heavy goods.

These vessels feature up to 13 decks engineered explicitly for vehicle loading and haulage, with axle counts ranging from 1.2 tonnes to 22 tonnes or more, depending on the specific requirements.

By nature, PCTCs are large, multi-decked ships capable of oscillating between port-side ports to deliver goods worldwide safely and efficiently.

PCTC vessels include an impressive suite of amenities, including ramp doors fore and aft on separate weather decks. This provides excellent safety protection by enabling goods to be safely loaded on sheltered decks without any possible bad weather conditions.

Furthermore, vehicles can be safely fastened into place through hook points that suspend them over the loading deck, allowing them to remain motionless during the voyage.

All these features make PCTCs ideal vessels for cargo transportation by sea internationally due to their superior engineering design and increasingly advanced loading techniques employed when handling goods.

What Other Vehicle Carrier Boats Are There?

Smaller operations may use barges and ferries for shorter distances between ports, while tugboats can facilitate vessel navigation in shallow waters or narrow channels that larger ships cannot cross.

Each type of vessel has its advantages depending on size, range, and payload needs, allowing businesses to access efficient transportation solutions when needed.

Advantages of Using

Ro-ro ships have several advantages, making them popular for hauling cars and lorries. The first advantage for the shipper is speed.

Cars and lorries can drive straight onto the ship at one port, sail to their destination, and then drive off at the other port within a few minutes of the ship docking. This means that entire caravans or truckloads can be loaded quickly, saving time and effort on both sides.

The next advantage is their integration with other modes of transport, such as containers. The vehicle decks can easily be fitted with customs-sealed containers to cross frontiers with minimal delays.

This has made Ro-Ro ships ideal for rapid international trade, allowing items such as cars and automotive parts to move quickly without too much paperwork or bureaucracy.

Additionally, thanks to efficient loading techniques, less space is needed for vehicles on board, making more cargo space available for additional goods.

Wrapping Up

In the end, PCC in shipping is a complex concept, but it's just a smart way to transport vehicles safely and efficiently.

Whether you're a car manufacturer, a dealership, or just an individual looking to move your vehicle, PCC may be the solution you've been looking for. So next time you ship a car, remember PCC and choose the best option.

A-1 Auto Transport uses different methods to haul your precious automobile. Check out our services to find the most appropriate for you and get a free quote today.