Freighter voyage

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As a voyage by freighter or freighter travel to travel as a passenger is on a cargo ship called. Corresponding possibilities are currently offered by around 50 shipping companies on around 150 to 200 ships in Germany . Some shipping companies have decades of tradition in this area. These trips are brokered by specialized tourism companies or directly by the shipping companies. There are no precise statistics on the annual number of passengers on cargo ships. Estimates assume around 5,000 travelers per year for Germany, and the trend has been rising for several years.

Used ship types

The different types of cargo ships have special characteristics that shape cargo ship travel. The rough division can be made into ships of the scheduled and demand traffic. Only certain types of ships are used for each of these categories. As a result, the general conditions for a freighter voyage in the areas of travel duration, route planning, port lay times, etc. can vary. The type and requirements of the respective cargo determine the type of ship and thus the itinerary. Scheduled services in the sea freight market include (semi-) container ships , general cargo carriers , RoRo ships and refrigerated ships . A certain regularity in route and time planning is typical for line traffic. On the other hand, there are bulk carriers and tankers , which are assigned to demand traffic and are also referred to as tramp ships . Short-term changes in the route and in the port idle times are characteristic here. Freight ship journeys on tankers are prohibited by law due to safety precautions.

Accommodation and meals

Passengers on cargo ships are mostly accommodated in unoccupied crew or officers quarters. As a rule, these are double cabins. The standard accommodation is mostly suite-like rooms with separate living and sleeping areas, which are much more spacious than standard rooms on cruise ships . The cabin equipment is often simple. For some years now, however, cargo ships with special passenger cabins have also been built, the equipment of which is correspondingly comfortable. Wardrobe, refrigerator , sofa, armchair, table, chairs and desk are usually part of the basic equipment of the cabins, often also satellite TV with DVD and stereo - radio with CD player . A cleaning of the cabins by the ship's personnel is not usual on a freighter voyage; it is up to the guest to ensure that the accommodation is in perfect condition. However, towels, bed linen and cleaning utensils are provided on board free of charge. The number of cabins available for passengers varies depending on the crew, depending on the duration and purpose of the journey.

The supply corresponds to the catering for the crew. Passengers usually take their meals in the officers' mess. The meals often correspond to good home cooking . There is no own restaurant available to guests and an à la carte menu cannot be prepared. Neither can special requests such as diabetic food or vegetarian food be fulfilled. As a rule, meals consist of three meals a day, breakfast , lunch and dinner . Coffee and cake are also served in the afternoon. Drinks such as water, tea, coffee or the occasional glass of wine during meals are included in the price. Other drinks or alcohol can usually only be bought in the on-board shop.

Service and leisure offer

In principle, the service and leisure facilities offered on a cargo ship are limited and can hardly be compared with those on a cruise ship. Some, especially younger, cargo ships have a small library. A swimming pool and a sauna have recently been found on the ships. Shared use by passengers is possible free of charge. In some of the crew's lounges, there is a television with a DVD player and board games. An on-board program or even animation is not offered on a cargo ship. The passengers are left to fend for themselves most of the time.

Passengers are given extensive access to most areas of the ship. After consultation with the responsible ship personnel or after consulting the captain or the technical officer, it is often possible to enter sensitive areas of the ship such as the bridge, the hold or the engine room when accompanied. The relationship between the crew and the passengers is usually characterized by openness and friendliness. If you stay in a port for a longer period, it is also possible to go ashore , i.e. leave the ship temporarily , by arrangement . Various safety rules and regulations must be observed.

Cost and duration

The cost of a freighter voyage is usually between 60 and 100 euros per person per day. Full board is included in this price. Cooperation according to the principle of "hand for berth" within the scope of the usual activities on the ship for partial or full payment of the costs is generally not possible on freighter voyages.

The duration of a transatlantic trip, for example to North or South America , is around four to six weeks. Shorter trips of seven to ten days are possible on trips within Europe, for example from Germany to Finland or Ireland .

Other framework conditions

When entering other countries, there are often different / stricter visa regulations for passengers than for air traffic and ferries. The USA, for example, generally requires a B1 / B2 tourist visa , an ESTA approval is not sufficient. A passport is generally required for a freighter voyage. This also applies if only EU countries are visited or passed through.

The number of passengers on a cargo ship is seldom more than ten, usually significantly less, since a ship with 13 passengers or more is considered a cruise ship . The shipping company would then have to meet other requirements regarding the equipment and crew of the ship, such as the presence of a doctor on board. For health reasons, some shipping companies have set an age limit of 75 to 79 years for passengers or require a medical certificate. For legal reasons, the lower age limit is usually 14 to 18 years. On some trips it is possible to take children from the age of six with you.

The travel agents must take out deviation insurance for the passenger . This is mandatory and covers the additional costs for the shipping company if the ship has to be diverted due to an urgent illness of a passenger. In addition, proof of health insurance abroad is usually required, including repatriation service. In addition, the traveler must make a binding declaration before departure that there are no physical defects that could hinder the journey and that they want to do without a doctor on board.

literature

  • Peer Schmidt-Walther: Freighter trips. As a passenger on board. Koehlers Verlagsgesellschaft, 2nd revised edition, Hamburg 2010, ISBN 978-3-7822-1016-4 .
  • Peter Biebig, Wolfgang Althof, Norbert Wagener: Maritime transport economy. Fourth edition. Oldenbourg Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 3-48-658247-X .
  • Jörn W. Mundt: Freighter trips. In: Fuchs, Mundt, Zollondz (Ed.): Lexicon Tourism. Oldenbourg Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-486-25069-5 , p. 275.
  • Otto Schüssler: Passenger Shipping. A handbook for travel agents in training and practice. Second edition. DRV, Frankfurt / Main 2005, ISBN 3-92-983529-0 .
  • Hugo Verlomme: Traveling by cargo ship. Umschau Buchverlag, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse 2001, ISBN 3-82-956706-5 .
  • Lutz Woitas: Fascination with seafaring. Cargo Ship Travel Secrets of the Sea Ports. , ISBN 978-1-4819-2803-8 .

Web links

Wikivoyage: Freighter  Travel Guide