DK178972B1

DK178972B1 - Container ship with increased capacity for reefers

Info

Publication number: DK178972B1
Application number: DKPA201670447A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Troels Posborg; Toby Austin-Fraser
Original assignee: Maersk Line As
Priority date: 2016-06-21
Filing date: 2016-06-21
Publication date: 2017-07-17
Also published as: CN106043595A; KR101777341B1; JP2017226404A; DK201670447A1; CN106043595B; JP6170598B1

Abstract

A hull (2) for a container ship (1). The hull (2) has a cargo hold for stowing non-refrigerated intermodal containers (19) and refrigerated intermodal containers (21). The refrigerated containers (19) have a refrigeration unit (30) at one of their longitudinal ends. The hull (2) has a plurality of transverse bulkheads (16,17) dividing the cargo hold longitudinally in a plurality of container bays (12). A box beam (20) is associated with each transverse bulkhead (16,17), and each box beam (20) runs the full breadth of the hull (2) and connects the sides (5) of the hull at or near the upper edge of the hull (2). The breadth of said container bay (12) is divided into a plurality of container rows with a pitch P between the container rows that somewhat exceeds the breadth of a single intermodal container (19,21). The box beams (20) have a hollow rectangular cross-section with four sides (25,26,27,28). At least one of the four sides (26,27) that faces a container bay (12) of at least one of the box beams (20) is provided with a row of service openings (22) spaced with the pitch P between neighboring service openings (22) in the row, and the service openings (22) are shaped and sized to allow a refrigeration unit (30) of a refrigerated intermodal container (21) facing a service opening (22) to be accessed and serviced through the service opening (22) concerned.

Description

CONTAINER SHIP WITH INCREASED CAPACITY FOR REEFERS TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a container ship, i.e. a marine vessel configured for storage and transport of shipping containers. The disclosure relates in particular to a container ship with an increased capacity for stowing a high intensity of refrigerated containers (reefers).

BACKGROUND

Container ships are marine vessels (cargo ships) that are designed and constructed for storing and transporting shipping containers (intermodal containers). Typically, container ships carry all of their load in truck-size intermodal containers. Container ships are a common means of commercial intermodal freight transport and now carry most seagoing non-bulk cargo. Container ship capacity is measured in 20-foot equivalent units (TEU). Typical loads are a mix of 20-foot and 40-foot (2-TEU) ISO-standard containers, with the latter predominant. Modern container ships may have a capacity of more than 20.000 TEU.

Shipping containers are stowed in the cargo hold in the hull, i.e. below the main deck and above the main deck of a container ship. In the longitudinal direction of the container ship storage space is divided into container bays, in the transverse direction of the hull the storage space is divided in a number of rows, and in the vertical direction the storage space is divided in a number of horizontal container layers called tiers.

The shipping containers are stowed as high as possible with some container ships operating with up to ten or eleven tiers above the main deck. A refrigerated container or reefer is an intermodal container (shipping container) used in intermodal freight transport that is refrigerated for the transportation of temperature sensitive cargo. A reefer has an integral refrigeration unit, and relies on external power from electrical power points at a land based site, a container ship or on quay.

Some reefers are equipped with an air cooling system, other reefers are equipped with a water cooling system. If the reefers are stored below deck in a container ship vessel, a water cooling system can significantly reduce the ventilation capacity required to remove the heat from the cargo space generated by the reefers, compared to air cooling alone.

The refrigeration system of a reefer is placed at one of the longitudinal ends of the container, with the opposite longitudinal end being provided with access doors to the inner space of the container. The refrigeration unit typically comprises the compressor and one or more fans, i.e. components that may fail in operation, thereby damaging the content of the container which needs cooling. Therefore, the longitudinal end of the reefer with the refrigeration unit needs to be accessible during transport for various reasons. Firstly, access is needed to connect the refrigeration units to the electrical power points, and for water cooled reefers access is needed to connect the hosing for the water cooling.

Further, access is needed for maintenance and replacement of e.g. the compressor and the fans. Thus, the access must be such that it allows the compressor or other parts of the refrigeration unit to be replaced by the ship's on-board electrician while the container is stowed in the cargo bay.

The number of reefer containers has in the past increased at a higher rate when compared to regular containers. Therefore, there is a need to increase the capacity of container ships for carrying 'reefer intense' loads.

Reefers can be stowed in the hull or above deck. However, the highest tiers above deck can typically not be used for refrigerated containers because the lashing bridges or reefer access platforms are not high enough for crewmembers to reach the containers on the highest tiers above deck. Similarly, the highest tiers in the hull cannot be used for refrigerated containers because the box beams (also referred to as torsional beams) at the upper part of the transverse bulkheads prevent access to the longitudinal ends of the containers in the tiers that are in the same level as the box beams. WO0213/053437 discloses a container ship, with a cargo hold for stowing intermodal containers, a plurality of transverse bulkheads dividing the cargo hold longitudinally in a plurality of container bays, a box beam 35 associated with watertight transverse bulkheads 8, the box beams 35 having a hollow cross-section with at least one side that is parallel with the transverse bulkheads 8. This known container ship also has supply channels 12 associated with open bulkheads 10. In this known containership refrigerated intermodal containers cannot be stowed in the tier with a height corresponding to the box beam 35/supply channel 12 since the refrigeration unit of refrigerated containers in this tier would not be accessible, i.e. not be serviceable.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to provide a hull for a container ship that overcomes or at least reduces the problems above .

The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures .

According to a first aspect, there is provided a hull for a container ship, the hull comprising: a cargo hold for stowing non-refrigerated intermodal containers and refrigerated intermodal containers, the refrigerated containers having a refrigeration unit at one of their longitudinal ends, a plurality of transverse bulkheads dividing the cargo hold longitudinally in a plurality of container bays, a box beam associated with each transverse bulkhead, each box beam running the full breadth of the hull and connecting the sides of the hull at or near the upper edge of the hull, the box beams having a hollow cross-section with at least one side that is parallel with the transverse bulkheads, the breadth of the container bay being divided into a plurality of container rows, characterized in that the at least one side of at least one of the box beams is provided with at least one service opening, in that the service opening is aligned with one of the rows, and in that the service opening is shaped and sized to allow a refrigeration unit of a refrigerated intermodal container facing a service opening to be accessed and serviced through the at least one service opening.

By providing the box beams with service openings that allow access to the refrigeration unit of a refrigerated container that is placed with its refrigeration unit facing a service opening, it becomes possible to stow refrigerated containers in the upper tiers in the cargo hold that are at level with the box beams, since such a refrigerated container can be serviced by a crew member like an on-board electrician through the service opening. Thus, one or two additional tiers can be used to stow refrigerated containers, whilst only nonrefrigerated containers could be stowed in the uppermost tiers in the cargo hold of a prior art hull for a container ship.

In a first possible implementation form of the first aspect there is a pitch P between the container rows that somewhat exceeds the breadth of a single intermodal container, and wherein the at least one of the four sides that faces a container bay of at least one of the box beams is provided with a row of service openings with each service opening in the row being aligned with one of the container rows, and spaced with the pitch P between neighboring service openings in the row, and in that the service openings are shaped and sized to allow a refrigeration unit of a refrigerated intermodal container facing a service opening to be accessed and serviced through the service opening concerned.

In a second possible implementation form of the first aspect the service openings are rectangular openings with rounded corners .

In a third possible implementation form of the first aspect the rounded corners have a radius of 200 mm or more.

In a fourth possible implementation form of the first aspect a preferably circumferential reinforcement rim is welded to the outline of the service opening.

In a fifth possible implementation form of the first aspect the service opening has a breadth of at least 1500 mm, preferably at least 1750 mm, and even more preferably at least 1890 mm.

In a sixth possible implementation form of the first aspect the service opening has a height of at least 400 mm, preferably at least 1200 mm and more preferably at least 2075 mm.

In a seventh possible implementation form of the first aspect the four sides of a box beam are formed by steel plates, and wherein the plate thickness of the side with the row of service openings is formed by a steel plate with a thickness that is higher than would be required for a side at the same position in the box beam without the service openings.

In an eighth possible implementation form of the first aspect the hull is provided with connection points in the vicinity of a service opening for connecting to cooling water hosing of the refrigeration unit and/or wherein the hull is provided with electrical power points in the vicinity of a service opening for supplying a refrigeration unit with electrical power .

In a ninth possible implementation form of the first aspect the box beam is provided with an access opening in the upper side of the box beam and a staircase in the box beam leading from the access opening to the lower side of the box beam.

In a tenth possible implementation form of the first aspect the distance between opposing sides of the box beam that face the container bays is sufficient for accommodating a compressor of a refrigeration unit of the refrigerated containers .

In an eleventh possible implementation form of the first aspect a box beam forms the upper portion of a bulkhead.

In a twelfth possible implementation form of the first aspect the pitch P is equal to or greater than 2438 mm. The pitch can be slightly larger than the breadth of an intermodal container which has a breadth of 2438 mm or the pitch can be a multiple of the breadth of the intermodal container. The aim is to align the service openings with the rows of containers in the container bay.

In a thirteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect the pitch P is equidistant for all service openings in a row.

In a fourteenth possible implementation form of the first aspect the height of service openings closest to the longitudinal ends of the box beam is less than the height of the other service openings.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a container ship with a hull according to any the first aspect or any one implementation thereof.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the embodiment (s) described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a container ship according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container ship of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an elevated view of the hull of a container ship according to an embodiment, also showing the superstructures, Fig. 4 is a cutaway view of a section of the hull of Fig. 3 illustrating a container bay between a watertight bulkhead and an open bulkhead,

Fig. 5 is an elevated view of the open bulkhead of Fig. 4 illustrating the position of containers relative to the bulkhead and box beam,

Fig. 6 is an elevate view of a bulkhead with its box beam illustrating a row of service openings in the box beam in accordance with an embodiment,

Fig. 7 is a frontal view of a service opening according to an embodiment,

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the service opening of Fig. 7 showing a portion of a refrigerated container placed with its longitudinal end with its refrigeration unit facing the service opening,

Fig. 9 is a frontal view of a service opening according to another embodiment,

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the service opening of Fig. 9 showing a portion of a refrigerated container placed with its longitudinal end with its refrigeration unit facing the service opening,

Fig. 11 is a side view on the longitudinal end of a refrigerated container with its refrigeration unit,

Fig. 12 is a perspective side view of a transverse bulkhead according to another embodiment, and

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a section of the hull of Fig. 3, showing two container bays between open and closed bulkheads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figs. 1 and 2 show a container ship 1, i.e. a ship that is suitable for stowing and transporting a large number of shipping containers, in a side view and stern view, respectively.

The container ship 1 comprises a hull 2 that extends over the full length of the container ship 1 between the bulbous bow 7 and the stern 8. The hull 2 houses one or more engine rooms, fuel tanks and other facilities required for the operation of the container ship 1. A major part of the hull 2 is used for stowing containers and a small portion of the cargo hold is shown by the cutaway view 11. The container ship 1 is provided with one or more large internal combustion engines for propulsion, or driving the propellers (s) 9, and there will be one or more auxiliary engines (generator sets) that provide electrical power and heat for various consumers of electrical power and heat aboard the container ship 1. One or more rudders 10 provide for directional control of the container ship 1.

The container ship 1 is provided with a bridge 3 and one or more funnels 4. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the superstructure of the bridge 3 is separate from the superstructure of the funnels 4, and therefore the design of this type of container ship 1 is called "twin island", but it is understood that the container ship can also be of the so-called "single island" design where the bridge and the funnel are a single unit.

Both refrigerated containers 21 and non-refrigerated containers 19, are stowed inside the hull 2 and on the main deck 29 in a plurality of bays 12 distributed over the length of the container ship 1. The stowed containers are arranged in a plurality of rows 15 distributed over the width of the container ship 1 and arranged in a plurality of tiers 14 in the direction of the height of the container ship 1. The bays 12 are typically separated by lashing bridges 13 above deck and are separated by transverse bulkheads 16,17 in the cargo hold below deck. The lashing bridges 13 extend approximately four tiers high and serve to secure the intermodal containers by lashing.

As shown in Fig. 3, the hull 2 has an elongated shape with a length, breadth and height. The hull 2 is in an embodiment built around the keel/double bottom sections. The hull 2 is a complex arrangement of steel plates and strengthening beams resembling ribs/frames, and fastened at an angle to the keel are the frames that form the sides 5 of the hull 2. The main deck 29, the metal platework/plate construction/weatherdeck that covers the top of the hull framework, is supported by box beams 20 that are attached to the tops of the frames 31 and the box beams 20 run the full breadth of the container ship 1. The box beams 20 contribute to the overall strength of the hull 2 and thus not only support the main deck 29, but along with the deck, frames, and transverse bulkheads, strengthen and reinforce the hull 2.

Transverse bulkheads 16,17 divide the cargo hold longitudinally into container bays. Typically, the distance between the bulkheads corresponds to two 20-foot intermodal containers 19, 21 or to one 40-foot intermodal container 19, 21. The transverse bulkheads 16,17 extend between the sides 5 of the hull 2 and from the bottom 6 of the hull 2 to the box beams 20. The transverse bulkheads 16,17 are connected by welds to the sides 5 (frames 31), to the bottom 6 of the hull and to the box beams 20. Each transverse bulkhead 16,17 is connected to a box beam 20. Thus, a box beam 20 forms a part of each transverse bulkhead 16,17. The transverse bulkheads 16.17 can be closed or open. In the Figs, reference numeral 16 is associated with a closed transverse bulkhead and reference numeral 17 is associated with an open transverse bulkhead. Typically, the cargo hold in the hull 2 is longitudinally divided into container bays 12 by alternating open transverse bulkheads 17 and close transverse bulkheads 16.

As shown in more detail in Figs. 4 and 5, the closed transverse bulkheads 16 are provided with a plurality of stringer decks 18 at levels that correspond roughly to tiers 14. The stringer decks 18 serve as platforms for the crew, and together with vertical beams the stringer decks form a frame for the traverse bulkheads 16, 17. The closed transverse bulkheads 16 are open to one side and closed to the other side by steel plating that is welded to the stringer decks 18 and to the vertical beams. The crew can access and service the longitudinal end of intermodal containers 19, 21 that face the open side of the closed bulkheads 16 from the stringer decks 18. The open bulkheads 17 are open to both sides and therefore the crew can access and service the longitudinal end of intermodal containers 19, 21 at both sides of the open bulkhead 17.

The box beam 20 at the upper end of the transverse bulkheads 16.17 is a hollow beam constructed from metal plates, such as e.g. mild steel plates normally used in the construction of the hull of a marine vessel, although other materials could be used, such as e.g. high-grade steel or composite materials. The box beam 20 has a substantially hollow rectangular cross section. In an embodiment the box beam 20 has four sides 25,26,27,28 with one side 26,27 having a service opening 22 facing a container bay 12. However, it is understood that the cross-section does not need to be perfectly rectangular, i.e. the beam should merely be substantially box shaped and one or more of the sides of the box beam can have a screened angle relative to a neighboring or opposing side.

In an embodiment, the he box beam 20 has four sides, each side formed by steel plates. The lower horizontal side 28 of the box beam 20 is welded to the upper end of a bulkhead 16,17. The upper side 25 of the box beam 20 is substantially level with the main deck 29. At least one of the opposing vertical sides 26,27 of the box beam 20 faces a container bay 12 and this side 26,27 can be provided with a service opening 22 for accessing and servicing the refrigeration unit 30 of a longitudinal end of a refrigerated intermodal container 21 by a crew member. The inside of the box beam 20 forms a passageway for the crew, and typically there is provided a staircase that allows access from the upper side 25/main deck 29 into the box beam 20.

As shown in Figs. 4 to 13 a box beam 20 is provided with at least one service opening 22. The service opening 22 is placed such that it is aligned with a row 15 and with a tier 14 of intermodal containers 19, 21 in the container bay 12 that the side 26, 27 concerned of the box beam 20 is facing. The box beam 20 can be provided with a plurality of service openings 22, with each service opening 22 aligned with a row 15 and with a tier 14 of intermodal containers.

In an embodiment at least one box beam 20 is provided with at least one service opening 22. In another embodiment two or more box beams 20 are provided with at least one service opening 22. In an embodiment at least one box beam 20 is provided with a row of service openings 22, with each service opening being aligned with a row 15 and with a tier 14 and thus a pitch P between the service openings will be the same as the pitch P between the rows 15 of intermodal containers 19,21. Since intermodal containers 19,21 have a breadth of 2438 mm, the pitch P between the rows 15 and the pitch P between the service openings 22 is at least 2438 mm. A box beam 20 can be provided with one or more service openings 22 in one of its side surfaces 26, 27 facing a container bay 12 or be provided with one or more service openings 22 in both of its side surfaces 26, 27 facing a container bay 12.

The plate thickness of the side 26,27 of the box beam 20 with a service opening 22 or with a row of service openings 22 is formed by a steel plate with a thickness that is higher than would be required for a side 26,27 at the same position in the box beam 20 without service openings 22.

In an embodiment, the distance between opposing sides 26,27 of the box beam 20 that face the container bays 12 is sufficient for accommodating a compressor of a refrigeration unit 30.

In an embodiment most or all of the service openings 22 have the same shape and dimensions. However, in particular the service openings 22 that are located closest to the sides 5 of the hull 2 may be required to have a lower height for constructional (strength) reasons. Fig. 6 illustrates a box beam 20 with a row of equidistant spaced service openings 22. Each of the service openings 22 is aligned with a row 15. The height of the more centrally located service openings 22 is significantly larger than the height of the outermost located service openings 22. In this embodiment, the breath B of the service openings 22 in the row is equal for all of the service openings 22.

The height at which a service opening 22 is placed relative to a container bay 12 (or relative to the bottom 6) is chosen such that it is most likely for the service opening 22 concerned to be properly aligned with a tier 14, as e.g. illustrated in Figs. 8 and 10. Since there are two different heights for intermodal containers (2591 mm for regular intermodal containers and 2896 mm for high-cube intermodal containers), planning is required during construction of the hull 2 and during stowing in order to ensure that the position (is in height) of the service openings 22 match the height of a tier 14.

Fig. 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment of a service opening 22, and in particular, these figures illustrate the shape of the outline of the service opening 22. Figs. 7 and 8 also illustrate how the position of the refrigerated intermodal container 21 is aligned with the position of the service opening 22. The service opening 22 is placed at a height above the bottom 6 of the container bay 12 that substantially corresponds to a tier 14, so that a refrigerated intermodal container 21 can be placed with its refrigeration unit 30 facing a service opening 22 in a box beam 20.

The service opening 22 shown in this embodiment has a rectangular outline with a height H and a breath B. However, it is not a requirement that the service openings are rectangular and the outline of the service opening 22 can have other shapes, such as e.g. oval or elliptical or triangular. The service opening 22 can also be formed by a plurality of smaller openings sized and shaped to provide access for each piece of serviceable equipment of a refrigeration unit 30. The service openings 22 can be provided with a structural hatch (not shown), i.e. a cover that structurally engages the service opening and thereby reinforces the box beam 20 to compensate for the weakening caused in the box beam 20 by the provision of the service opening 22. Further, increased end supports and or vertical supports can be provided in the transverse bulkhead 16, 17 or in the box beam 20 in order to reinforce the structure and to compensate for the weakening caused by the introduction of the service openings 22 in the box beam. Similarly, the main deck could be extended into the box beam to some distance in order to reinforce the structure and compensate for the weakening caused by the introduction of the service openings 22 in the box beam

The corners of the outline of the service opening 22 are rounded, with a radius of R to avoid cracks in the metal plating running from these corners. In an embodiment, the radius R is at least 200 mm. In an embodiment the service openings 22 have a breadth of at least 1500 mm, preferably at least 1750 mm, and even more preferably at least 1890 mm. In an embodiment, the service openings 22 have a height of at least 400 mm, preferably at least 1200 mm and more preferably at least 2075 mm.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of the service opening 22 that is essentially identical to the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8, except that in this embodiment the edge (inner side) of the service opening 22 has been reinforced by a circumferential flange 24. The circumferential flange 24 is in an embodiment a steel plate that is welded to the inner side of the service opening 22, i.e. welded to the plate 26, 27 of the box beam 20. The reinforcement flange 24 reinforces the service opening 22 and allows the radius R at the corners of the service openings 22 to be less than 200 mm.

The size of a service opening 22 is preferably chosen such that all of the serviceable components of a refrigeration unit 30 can be properly accessed and serviced. The refrigeration unit 30 comprises a compressor, fans 33 and controllers, displays, expansion valves, data logger and others parts. Fig. 11 illustrates some of the serviceable components of an example refrigeration unit 30. The serviceable components comprise e.g. fans 33 and the compressor .

The outline of the compressor is shown in Fig. 11 by the dotted rectangle 34. The hatched area 35 illustrates a typical location of connection points for connecting the hosing of the ship's water cooling system to the refrigerated intermodal container 21. The service opening 22 should be sufficiently large and correctly positioned to allow the compressor to be serviced, but also for it to be removed and replaced. The rounded rectangle 32 illustrates the outline of a service opening 22 that has as a suitable size and shape and proper alignment for servicing and access to the components of the refrigeration unit 30.

Fig. 13 illustrates two container bays 12 between three transverse bulkheads 16, 17 with intermodal containers 19,21 stowed in the container bays 12. The central transverse bulkhead 17 is an open bulkhead and the outer two transverse bulkheads 16 are closed bulkheads. In Fig. 13 six tiers of intermodal containers 19, 21 are stowed in the container bays 12. The height of each tier corresponds roughly to a stringer deck 18 for the lower tiers and corresponds roughly to the height of the service openings 22 for the uppermost tier. 20-foot intermodal containers 19, 21 are shown stowed in the container bay 12 on the left side of Fig. 13, and 40-foot intermodal containers 19, 21 are illustrated stowed in the container bay 12 on the right side of Fig. 13. It is understood that either of these bays 12 can be used for 20-foot intermodal containers 19, 21 or 40-foot intermodal containers 19, 21; this is simply a matter of choice during stowing. Fig. 13 also illustrates the access points X for connecting the refrigerated intermodal containers 21 to the electrical system of the container vessel 1 and in case the container ship 1 is provided with a water cooling system and the refrigerated intermodal shipping container 21 is suitable for water cooling the access points X illustrate hosing of the ship's water cooling system. The access points X are located in the vicinity of the service openings 22 to allow the refrigerated intermodal containers 21 concerned to be easily connected to the ship's power grid and/or to the ship's water cooling system by the crew.

Fig. 13 illustrates an embodiment with service openings 22 on each side 26, 27 of each box beam 20. However, it is understood that this is a matter of design choice, and it would be possible to have only one box beam 20 of the hull 2 provided with one or more service openings 22. The number of box beams 20 with service openings 22, the number of sides 26,27 of the box beams 20 provided with service openings 22 and the number of service openings 22 in a side 26, 27 can be chosen in accordance with the need to stow refrigerated intermodal containers 21 in the tier or tiers 14 that are at the same height as the box beams 20. Although not shown, in case of a large box beam 20 with a height that covers several tiers 14, the service openings 22 can be provided at multiple levels in the box beam 20 to correspond to multiple tiers 14.

The provision of service openings 22 in the box beams 20 allows refrigerated intermodal shipping containers 21 to be placed in the tiers that are at the same level as the box beams when such an intermodal shipping container 21 is facing a service opening 22 in a box beam 20 with its longitudinal end that comprises the refrigeration unit 30. The number of refrigerated intermodal containers 21 that can be stowed can thus be increased by providing service openings 22.

The invention has been described with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

Hull (2) for a container ship (1), comprising: a cargo compartment for storing non-refrigerated containers (19) for combined transport and refrigerated containers (21) for combined transport, which refrigeration containers (21) have a cooling unit ( 30) at one of their longitudinal ends, a plurality of transverse shutters (16, 17) dividing the cargo space longitudinally into a plurality of container compartments (12), a box beam (20) connected to each transverse shutter (16, 17) , wherein each box beam (20) runs the full width of the hull (2) and connects the sides (5) of the hull at or near the upper edge of the hull (2), which box beams (20) have a hollow cross-section of at least one side (26, 27) parallel to the transverse shutters (16, 17), wherein the width of the container compartment (12) is divided into a plurality of container rows (15), characterized in that the at least one side (26, 27) at least one of the box beams (20) is provided with at least one service opening (22), in that the service opening (22) is aligned with one of the rows (15) and in that the service port (22) is shaped and sized to enable a cooling unit (30) for a refrigerated container (21) for combined transport facing a service port ( 22) to be accessed and serviced through the at least one service port (22). Hull (2) according to claim 1, wherein there is a distance (P) between the container rows (15) which exceeds to some extent the width of a single container (19, 21) for combined transport and wherein the at least one of the four sides (26, 27) facing a container section (12) of at least one of the box beams (20) is provided with a series of service openings (22), each service opening in the row being aligned with one of the container rows (15) and arranged with the distance (P) between adjacent service openings (22) in the row, and wherein the service openings (22) are shaped and dimensioned to enable a cooling unit (30) of a combined transport refrigeration container (21) facing a service opening (22), to be accessed and serviced through that service opening (22). Hull (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one service opening (22) is a rectangular opening with rounded corners. Hull (2) according to claim 3, wherein the rounded corners have a radius (R) of 200 mm or more. Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a preferably peripheral reinforcing edge (24) is welded to the contour of the service opening (22). Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the service opening (22) has a width (B) of at least 1500 mm, preferably at least 1750 mm, and even more preferably at least 1890 mm. Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the service opening (22) has a height of at least 400 mm, preferably at least 1200 mm and more preferably at least 2075 mm. Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the four sides of a box beam (20) are formed of steel plates and the plate thickness of a side with the row of service openings (22) is formed of a steel plate with a thickness greater than what would be required for a side at the same position in the box beam (20) without the service openings (22). Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hull (2) is provided with connection points (X) in the vicinity of a service opening (22) for connection to a cooling water hose for the cooling unit (30), and / or where the hull (2) is provided with electrical power points (X) in the vicinity of a service opening (22) for supplying a cooling unit (30) with electric current. Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the distance between opposite sides (26, 27) of the box beam (20) facing the container compartments (12) is sufficient to accommodate a compressor for a cooling unit. (30) of the cooling containers (21). Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the box beam (20) has a hollow rectangular cross-section of four sides (25, 26, 27, 28), one side (26, 27) of the service opening ( 22) faces a container section (12). Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the box beam (20) is provided with an access opening in the upper side of the box beam (20) and a staircase in the box beam leading from the access opening to the lower side of the box. box bar (20). Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a box beam (20) forms the upper part of a transverse shutter (16, 17). Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the distance (P) is at or greater than 2438 mm. Hull (2) according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the distance (P) is the same distance for all service openings (22) in a row. Hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the height of service openings (22) closest to the longitudinal ends of the box beam (22) is less than the height of the other service openings (22). Hull container (1) with hull (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.