EP2686234A1

EP2686234A1 - Method and arrangement for transporting cargo in cargo vessel

Info

Publication number: EP2686234A1
Application number: EP12758161.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans Langh
Original assignee: Langh Ship Oy AB
Current assignee: Langh Group Oy AB
Priority date: 2011-03-16
Filing date: 2012-03-14
Publication date: 2014-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-14
Also published as: FI20115261A; EP2686234B1; KR20140019384A; CN103459248A; PL2686234T3; CN103459248B; EP2686234A4; FI20115261A0; FI123124B; KR101749912B1; WO2012123637A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for loading reels (5), such as metal reels, into a cargo vessel and shipping them in the cargo vessel, the arrangement comprising reel troughs that are designed to keep the reels (5) to be positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and down- ward directions, and the reel troughs being arranged on an elongated cradle frame structure (4b) that is at the bottom (12) of the cargo hold and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel. So as to provide for efficient utilization of the cargo hold when transporting reels together with other cargo, such as containers, the arrangement comprises a second elongated cradle frame structure (4b), which comprises reel troughs designed to keep the reels (5) to be positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, the cradle frame structure being positioned transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel above the cradle frame structure at the bottom (12) of the cargo hold in such a manner that its bottom level is at most at a distance of 2 m from the top level of the cradle frame structure (4b) at the bottom (12) of the cargo hold.

Description

Method and arrangement for transporting cargo in cargo vessel

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for loading individual reels, such as metal reels, into a cargo vessel and shipping them in the cargo vessel, the method comprising positioning individual reels in an elongated cradle frame structure that is at the bottom of the cargo hold of the vessel and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel by positioning the reels in crosswise reel troughs in the cradle frame structure, which troughs are designed to keep the reels positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions. The reel troughs may be called reel holders.

[0002] The invention also relates to an arrangement for loading individual reels, such as metal reels, into a cargo vessel and shipping them in the cargo vessel, the arrangement comprising reel troughs that are designed to keep the individual reels positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions and the reel troughs are arranged in an elongated cradle frame structure that is at the bottom of the cargo hold and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

[0003] A method and arrangement of this type is known from patent publication EP 1478567 B1 . Even though this known method enables safe transport of reels by means of a cradle frame structure mounted at the bottom of a cargo hold, the method does not provide for the most efficient utilization of the cargo hold in transporting both reels and other goods, such as bulk goods or containers. Efficient utilization of the cargo hold refers herein to being able to load the bottom of the vessel's cargo hold, if the situation so requires, with surface loads that are close to the maximum allowable surface loads and exceed those possible with the arrangement of publication EP 1468567, to efficiently utilize the height of the cargo hold and, additionally, to utilize the total surface area of the cargo hold.

Brief description of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a method and arrangement that enable efficient loading of a vessel not only with reels but also other cargo, such as bulk goods.

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved by a method that is characterized by positioning a second elongated cradle frame structure, which comprises reel troughs designed to keep individual reels positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, into the cargo hold transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel and above the cradle frame structure at the bottom of the cargo hold in such a manner that the bottom level of the second cradle frame structure is at most at a distance of 2 m from the top level of the cradle frame structure at the bottom of the cargo hold, and that the reels are placed in the reel troughs of the second cradle frame structure. When implementing the invention, several cradle frame structures are typically arranged above or on top of the lowest cradle frame structure.

[0006] The second cradle frame structure is preferably positioned in the vertical direction as close as possible to the cradle frame structure at the bottom of the cargo hold so that the bottom level of the second cradle frame structure is as close as possible to the highest points of the reels on the cradle frame structure below.

[0007] The first and second cradle frame structures are preferably uniform, each being formed of one cradle frame, and the cradle frames preferably also extend from a first side wall of the cargo hold to a second, opposite side wall. Cradle frames of this type are easy to set in place and, after use, move in the cargo hold.

[0008] The cradle frame structure at the bottom of the cargo hold preferable comprises a longitudinal planar side, and the second cradle frame structure comprises a longitudinal planar side, whereby the second cradle frame structure is arranged on top of the cradle frame structure at the bottom of the cargo hold in such a manner that the sides of the cradle frame structures form a uniform vertical wall that extends from a first side wall of the cargo hold to a second, opposite side wall thereof. The wall forms a support wall for supporting bulk goods, if bulk goods are to be transported.

[0009] The cradle frame structures are preferably arranged against a transverse wall of the vessel's cargo hold so as to form in the cargo hold a smaller cargo hold area for bulk goods or other cargo, and the cargo hold area is restricted in the transverse direction by the side walls of the cargo hold and at least in its first end by a wall formed by crosswise cradle frame structures that forms a bulk goods support wall facing the cargo hold area. Bulk goods are loaded in said cargo hold area, if necessary.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the method of the invention are disclosed in the attached claims 1 to 8. [0011] Correspondingly, the object of the invention is achieved by an arrangement that is characterized in that is comprises a second elongated cradle frame structure, which comprises reel troughs designed to keep individual reels positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, the second cradle frame structure being positioned into the cargo hold transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel and above the cradle frame structure at the bottom of the cargo hold in such a manner that its bottom level is at most at a distance of 2 m from the top level of the cradle frame structure at the bottom of the cargo hold.

[0012] The arrangement preferably comprises several cradle frame structures that are in a tower-like manner arranged on top of each other and each comprise crosswise upward-opening reel troughs designed to keep the reels positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, whereby the bottom part of each cradle frame structure further comprises crosswise, downward-opening troughs to permit the reception of the top parts of the reels in the cradle frame structure positioned below, and in adjacent cradle frame structures positioned on top of each other, the vertical symmetry planes of the downward-opening troughs are in line with the symmetry planes of the upward-opening reel troughs of the adjacent cradle frame structure. Thus, the reel troughs in the top part of the cradle frame structure are, in a way, offset from the reel troughs in the bottom part of the cradle frame structure so that the reel troughs in the top and bottom parts form a stepped structure. The cradle frame structures are preferably arranged on top of each other in such a manner that the crosswise troughs form tunnel-like spaces for the reels, which permits the loading of the reels tightly into the cargo hold and also keeps the reels well in place even in rough seas.

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the arrangement of the invention are disclosed in the attached claims 10 to 20.

[0014] The greatest advantages of the method and arrangement of the invention are that they provide for efficient utilization of the vessel's cargo hold and the transportation of reels and other cargo, such as bulk goods and containers.

[0015] The invention also relates to the cradle frame structure according to claim 21 for use in transporting reels in vessels, the cradle frame structure permitting tight loading of the reels. The cradle frame structure is exceptionally well suited for use in the method and arrangement of the present invention. The longitudinal sides of the cradle frame structure are preferably formed of a rectangular plate so that by stacking cradle frame structures of this type on top of each other, it is possible to form in the vessel's cargo hold a planar wall that serves as a cargo separation wall.

[0016] The method, arrangement and cradle frame structure of the invention provide for efficient utilization of the vessel's cargo hold in safely transporting reels together with other cargo, such as bulk goods and containers. With the solution of the invention, reels can be transported in such a manner that they require only a little surface area at the bottom of the cargo hold, whereby as much surface area and easily utilizable cubic volume as possible remain in the cargo hold for other cargo. In addition, the invention allows for easy and fast loading of a cargo vessel with the most varying cargo.

Brief description of the figures

[0017] The invention will now be described in greater detail by means of examples and with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an arrangement of the invention from the side, Figure 2 illustrates the arrangement of Figure 1 from the top along a section line ll-ll of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 shows a view along a section line Ill-Ill of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a side view that shows how cargo is arranged in the cargo hold of the vessel and illustrates a view along line IV— IV of Figure 2,

Figure 5 shows the arrangement of Figure 4 from above, Figure 6 shows a view along line VI-VI of Figure 5,

Figure 7 shows an alternative arrangement for Figure 6, and Figure 8 shows a view corresponding to Figures 6 and 7 and an alternative arrangement preferably for the transport of large reels.

Detailed description of the invention

[0018] The vessel shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises two cargo holds 1 , 2 that are separated from each other by a separation structure 3 comprising walls 7, 8. Reference number 4 indicates in general the cradle frame structure entities referred to as cradle frame structure towers, positioned in the cargo holds 1 , 2 and formed of cradle frame structures 4a to 4d arranged on top of each other. The cradle frame structures 4a to 4d are typically similar, but they may also differ in detail so as to best correspond to the transportation requirements at each time. The number of cradle frame structure towers 4 typi- cally varies according to the transportation requirements. The number of cradle frame structures 4a to 4d in the cradle frame structure towers 4 may also vary, and it will affect the height of the cradle frame structure towers 4. The determining factor here is the size of the reel cargo being transported, the type of other cargo, the strength of the vessel's hull and the tonnage of the vessel. In the example of Figure 1 that illustrates loading, five cradle frame structures 4a are positioned against the crosswise front-most wall 6 of the first cargo hold 1 , and two cradle frame structures 4b are positioned against the back wall 7. Four cradle frame structures 4c are positioned against the extreme front wall 8 of the rear cargo hold 2, and five cradle frame structures 4d are positioned against the back wall 9. In the case of the figure, the cradle frame structures 4a and 4b are loaded with reels. No reels have yet been loaded on the cradle frame structures 4c and 4d. There may be several containers 1 1 on the weather deck 10 of the vessel. These are loaded after the cargo holds 1 and 2 have been loaded with reels and any other cargo.

[0019] A quantity of cradle frame structures 4 corresponding to the transportation requirements are arranged into the cargo holds 1 , 2 in the vessel of Figure 1 . Thanks to the fact that the cradle frame structures 4 - with the exception of the lowest cradle frame structures - are at a distance from the bottom of the cargo hold of the vessel, the metacentric height (GM) of the vessel can be reduced when loading heavy reels on the cradle frame structures in comparison with a situation where heavy reels are arranged in one tier over the entire bottom of the cargo hold, in other words, a situation that is normal in transporting reels. A reduced metacentric height means, in practice, that the sideways rolling movements of the vessel subside and slow down, whereby the transverse loads directed to the reels and other cargo diminish in the swell of the sea.

[0020] Figures 4 to 6 show in more detail than Figure 1 loading into the cargo hold 1 and especially close to the back wall 7 of the cargo hold 1 .

[0021] The cradle frame structure 4b is positioned against the bottom 12 of the cargo hold with one of its longitudinal sides 18 against the back wall 7 of the cargo hold. The width of the cradle frame structure 4b corresponds to that of the cargo hold 1 , that is, it extends from a first side wall 15 to an opposite side wall 16 of the cargo hold. The lowermost cradle frame structure 4b is at its bottom end detachably attached to the bottom 12 of the cargo hold. The bottom level 70 of the cradle frame structure 4b is against the bottom 12 of the cargo hold. The attachment is preferably done with fastening members (reference number 31 in Figure 6) intended for fastening containers. Twelve reels 5 are set on top of the cradle frame structure 4b. After loading the lowermost cradle frame structure 4b, a second cradle frame structure 4b is set on top of the lowermost cradle frame structure 4b. The latter rests on the cradle frame structure 4b set at the bottom of the cargo hold, and the cradle frame structures 4b are fastened to each other with detachable fastening arrangements (reference numbers 33 and 31 in Figure 6). The bottom level 70 of the upper cradle frame structure 4b is on the top level 60 of the lower cradle frame structure 4b in such a manner that there is no appreciable clearance between the bottom and top levels, in other words, no clearance or a very small one. Fastening arrangements of the same type are preferably used as in fastening containers to each other. For this, the top level 60, or top ends, of the cradle frame structure has fastening means (reference number 33 in Figures 5 and 6) that are arranged to receive the fastening members (reference number 31 in Figure 6) at the bottom ends of the cradle frame structures. The cradle frame structures 4b have several fastening members 31 and fastening means 33 that are positioned in such a manner that they permit the reception and fastening of containers to the cradle frame structures. The width of the cradle frame structure 4b corresponds approximately to the length of a 20-foot standard container, whereby several containers may be set crosswise and side by side on the cradle frame structure; the arrangement of Figure 5 permits seven containers to be set side by side (not shown). The length of the cradle frame structures 4b corresponds to the width of the cargo hold of the vessel and is 18 m, for instance.

[0022] The sides 19 of the cradle frame structures 4b are planar and form a uniform vertical wall when the cradle frame structures are on top of each other. The sides 19 are formed of a planar steel plate. This cargo hold wall with a height corresponding to the height of two cradle frame structures 4b acts, if necessary, as a support wall for bulk goods 20, such as ore; see Figure 4.

[0023] The described cradle frame structures 4b thus permit that both bulk goods and reels 5 as well as containers or other cargo are loaded into and transported in the cargo hold 1 . Thanks to the cradle frame structures 4b (and 4a, 4c, and 4d) the cargo hold becomes a multipurpose cargo hold. If there is no need to transport bulk goods or any other cargo directly at the bot- torn of the cargo hold, it is possible to arrange for instance two or more tiers of cradle frame structures that cover the entire bottom 12 of the cargo hold 1 . This type of arrangement can also be made in the cargo hold 2. The cradle frame structures on the lowest tier are detachably attached to the bottom 12 of the cargo hold, as stated above, and the cradle frame structures higher up may rest on the ones below or they may alternatively rest on the supports on the walls of the cargo hold (supports 17 and 17' in Figure 4 and 7, respectively).

[0024] Figure 6 illustrates by dashed lines the cradle-like reel troughs 30 that keep the reels 5 positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions. The reel troughs are formed of oblique steel surfaces that are preferably designed to receive reels of different sizes. The structure surrounding the reel troughs is also made of steel. The reel troughs 30 are part of the cradle frame structure. The cradle frame structure is a welded structure, in practice. It is possible to load containers on top of the cradle frame structures 4b loaded with reels 5, because the top surfaces of the cradle frame structures have fastening means 33 for this purpose. The number and position of the fastening means 33 may vary, in which case it is preferable that they permit the reception of different standard containers. In Figures 5 and 6, the fastening means 33 permit the fastening of several 20-foot containers (not shown) crosswise to the cradle frame structure 4b in such a manner that the fastening points at the corners of the containers are fastened to the fastening means 33. If containers are to be fastened longitudinally to the cradle frame structure, between the sides 18, 19 of the cradle frame structure, there may be a longitudinal support structure (not shown) which is arranged in the top part of the cradle frame structure and to which such fastening means 33 are arranged. Correspondingly, fastening members 31 may be arranged to a support structure (not shown) which is arranged between the sides 18, 19 of the cradle frame structure and to the bottom part thereof.

[0025] Figure 7 shows an arrangement especially for transporting large-scale reels 5' on the cradle frame structures 4b'. The figure shows that the cradle frame structure 4b' above the cradle frame structure 4b' at the bottom of the cargo hold 12' is not set straight on the cradle frame structure 4b' below, but is at a distance from it. The cradle frame structure 4b' higher up rests on supports 17' on the side walls 15', 16' of the cargo hold. The supports 17' are preferably turnable or movable so that they are not in the way when they are not needed. In the figure, there is between the cradle frame structures 4b' an opening 100' as wide as the cargo hold and its height corresponds to the distance L between the bottom level 70' of the upper cradle frame structure 4b' and the top level 60' of the lower cradle frame structure 4b'. This is no problem as long as the sides 19' need not act as walls that separate bulk goods. The distance L must not be long so as not to lose the advantage sought for with the invention, that is, efficient utilization of the cargo hold volume for different cargo types. The distance L must, if necessary, be sufficiently long that there is enough room for large reels 5', the highest points of which may extend relatively high above the top level 60' of the cradle frame structure. Therefore, the distance L may be given a maximum value 2 m that covers all practical needs. Preferably, the distance L is considerably smaller than said maximum value 2 m.

[0026] The support of the cradle frame structure 4b' with supports 17' shown in Figure 7 is typically suitable when the reels 5' below are so large that they do not completely fit inside the cradle frame structure and their top parts protrude from the top surface of the cradle frame structure. The support of the cradle frame structure 4b' on the supports 17' on the side walls 15', 16' is also suitable when one does not want to burden the cradle frame structure below and typically when one wants to prevent the cradle frame structure from being burdened too much by too many cradle frame structures on top of each other.

[0027] Naturally, the cradle frame structures of Figure 7 can be modified as shown in Figure 6 to comprise elevated sides so that the upper cradle frame structure 4b' rests on the cradle frame structure 4b' at the bottom of the cargo hold. However, the elevated sides add extra weight and space, in case they are not utilized. Therefore, it is sensible that for large reels 5', there are cradle frame structures 4b' with low sides in proportion to the diameter of the reel to be transported.

[0028] So as to be able to position the cradle frame structures on the supports 17' at a desired height and point in the longitudinal direction of the vessel, several supports are arranged at different heights on the side walls 15', 16' of the cargo hold. As seen in elevation, the distance between the supports 17' is selected according to the transportation requirements. The distance may correspond to the height of the cradle frame structure 4b', for example 1 m, whereby the cradle frame structures may be arranged tightly on top of each other. The distance is typically bigger than the height of the cradle frame struc- ture, if the reels to be transported are large. For space saving reasons, the aim is to arrange the cradle frame structure 4b' as close as possible to the cradle frame structure 4b' below it. In the case of Figure 7, the bottom level 70' of the upper cradle frame structure 4b' is very close to the highest points or uppermost parts of the reels 5' positioned below it. The distance between the bottom level 70' and the uppermost parts of the underlying reels permits the flexing of the cradle frame structure above the highest point of the reels without its bottom contacting the highest points of the reels below it. The distance is 10 cm, for instance. If, instead of reels, containers are to be placed between two cradle frame structures close in elevation, the distance between the supports 17' will preferably be selected in such a manner that a space of 2.5 to 3 m in height remains between the cradle frame structures, whereby a standard container can be placed in this space without appreciable waste space.

[0029] So as to place cradle frame structures in the cargo hold of the vessel in a desired position longitudinally, several supports 17' are arranged horizontally at a distance from each other on the side walls 15', 16' of the cargo hold; see supports 17' in Figure 4. The supports 17, 17' allow the cradle frame structure to be supported both at a desired height and in a desired longitudinal position in the cargo hold of the vessel.

[0030] If only containers are to be transported, the cradle frame structures 4a to 4d can be distributed at the bottom of the cargo hold of the vessel and containers can be fastened on top of them.

[0031] Figure 8 shows an embodiment that differs from Figures 6 and 7. The cradle frame structure 4b" of the figure comprises troughs 30" in its upper part and troughs 40" in its lower part. The upper cradle frame structure 4b" is positioned on top of the cradle frame structure below (also designated 4b") so that the distance between the bottom level 70" of the upper cradle frame structure and the top level 60" of the lower cradle frame structure is practically non-existent. As seen in the figure, reels 5" have been loaded into the troughs 30" of the upper cradle frame structure 4b" and the troughs 40" of the upper the cradle frame structure 4b" receive the top parts of the reels 5" loaded into the lower cradle frame structure 4b". This arrangement permits the loading of the reels 5" in an overlapping manner so that they only take a little space in elevation. The reels 5" are arranged partly within each other, as is done in conventional loading of reels, whereby a large number of reels can be accommodated in a small volume. The essential difference over the conven- tional arrangement is that the reels 5" are each separately well supported. With the cradle frame structures 4b" on top of each other, the reels 5" can be arranged in a honeycomb structure and well supported while the volume of the cargo hold 1 is utilized to the maximum. It should be noted that the cradle frame structures 4b" of Figure 8 are alike: the upper cradle structure is just turned upside down in view of the lower cradle frame structure. Thus, the troughs 30", 40" of the cradle frame structures 4b" are arranged symmetrically. Like the cradle frame structures of Figures 6 and 7, the cradle frame structures of Figure 8 comprise a stiffening side 19". In addition to this, it should be ensured that the troughs 30, 40" on opposite sides are sufficiently strong. The strengthening may be provided with one or more longitudinal walls, for example, that extend along the entire length of the cradle frame structure.

[0032] Since the idea is that the cradle frame structures 4a to 4b, 4b', 4b" positioned lowest in the cargo hold can, if necessary, be used to load the bottom of the cargo hold evenly and greatly, the bottoms of the cradle frame structures comprise a structure suitable for the purpose. The structure preferably comprises not only longitudinal edge supports but also crosswise supports. The latter are preferably made of the strengthened bottom levels of the reels troughs which are arranged on the same level as the bottom surfaces of the longitudinal supports.

[0033] The details of the invention may vary in many ways within the scope of the independent claims. Therefore, for instance the cradle frame structures need not be formed of one uniform cradle frame, even though this is preferable so as to make the mounting of the cradle frame structure in place and moving it (without a reel load) easy and fast. Thus, the cradle frame structure may have two or three parts. If the cradle frame structure is formed of more than three parts, its construction, mounting in place and moving is arduous and time-consuming. The number of reels to be placed in the cradle frame structure varies depending on the size of the cradle frame structure and the reels. The cargo hold 1 , 2 may, if desired, be divided into two or more parts with one or more cradle frame structure towers that are preferably positioned crosswise in the cargo hold. Different cargo, for instance various bulk goods, may be transported in the different parts of the cargo hold. The reel troughs of the cradle frame structures are most preferably transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cradle frame structures, as stated above, but the reel troughs might also be parallel to the cradle frame structures.

Claims

1 . A method for loading individual reels (5, 5', 5"), such as metal reels, into a cargo vessel and shipping them in the cargo vessel, the method comprising positioning the reels (5, 5', 5") on an elongated cradle frame structure (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") that is at the bottom of the vessel's cargo hold (1 , 2) and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel by positioning the reels into crosswise reel troughs (30, 30', 30") in the cradle frame structure, which are designed to keep the reels (5, 5', 5") positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that a second elongated cradle frame structure (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b"), which comprises reel troughs (30, 30', 30") designed to keep individual reels (5, 5', 5") to be positioned therein in place at least in the longitudinal and downward directions, is positioned transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel above the cradle frame structure (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") at the bottom of the cargo hold in such a manner that a bottom level (70, 70', 70") of the second cradle frame structure is at most at a distance (L) of 2 m from a top level (60, 60', 60") of the cradle frame structure (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") at the bottom of the cargo hold, and that the reels (5, 5', 5") are placed in the reel troughs (30, 30', 30") of the second cradle frame structure.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the second cradle frame structure (4b, 4b') is placed as close as possible in elevation to the cradle frame structure (4b, 4b') at the bottom (12, 12') of the cargo hold so that the bottom level (70, 70') of the second cradle frame structure is as close as possible to the highest points of the reels (5, 5') on the cradle frame structure below.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the first and second cradle frame structures (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") extend from a first side wall (15, 15', 15") of the vessel's cargo hold to a second, opposite side wall (16, 16', 16") of the cargo hold.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r - i s e d in that the cradle frame structure (4b, 4b") at the bottom (12, 12") of the cargo hold (1 ) comprises a longitudinal planar side (18, 19, 19") and that the second cradle frame structure (4b, 4b") comprises a longitudinal planar side (18, 19, 19"), whereby the second cradle frame structure (4b, 4b") is arranged on top of the cradle frame structure (4b, 4b") at the bottom (12, 12") of the cargo hold (1 ) in such a manner that the sides (18, 19, 19") of the cradle frame structures (4b, 4b") form a vertical uniform wall that extends from the first side wall (15, 15") of the cargo hold to the second, opposite side wall (16, 16") of the cargo hold.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second cradle frame structures (4b, 4b', 4b") are each formed of one uniform cradle frame.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one cradle frame structure (4a, 4c, 4d) is positioned on top of the second cradle frame structure (4a, 4c, 4d) to form a high cradle frame structure entity (4) comprising at least three tiers.

7. A method as claimed in any one of preceding claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the cradle frame structures (4a, 4b, 4b', 4b") are arranged against a transverse wall (6 to 9) of the vessel's cargo hold (1 , 2) so as to form in the cargo hold (1, 2) a smaller cargo hold area for bulk goods or other cargo, and the cargo hold area is restricted in the transverse direction by the side walls (15, 16, 15', 16', 15", 16") of the cargo hold and at least at its first end by a wall (19) formed of crosswise cradle frame structures that forms a bulk goods (20) support wall facing the cargo hold area.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that bulk goods (20) are loaded into the cargo hold area.

9. An arrangement for loading individual reels (5, 5', 5"), such as metal reels, into a cargo vessel and shipping them in the cargo vessel, the arrangement comprising reel troughs (30, 30', 30") designed to keep the reels (5, 5', 5") to be positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, the reel troughs (30, 30', 30") being arranged on an elongated cradle frame structure (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") that is at the bottom (12, 13, 12', 13') of the vessel's cargo hold (1, 2) and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel, characterised in that the arrangement comprises a second elongated cradle frame structure (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b"), which comprises reel troughs (30, 30', 30") designed to keep individual reels (5, 5', 5") to be positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, the second cradle frame structure (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") being positioned transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel above the cradle frame structure (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") at the bottom (12, 13, 12', 13') of the cargo hold in such a manner that its bottom level (70, 70', 70") is at most at a distance (L) of 2 m from the top level (60, 60', 60") of the cradle frame structure (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") at the bottom of the cargo hold.

10. An arrangement as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the first and second cradle frame structures (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") extend from a first side wall (15, 15', 15") of the vessel's cargo hold to a second, opposite side wall (16, 16', 16") of the cargo hold.

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the cradle frame structure (4b, 4b") at the bottom (12, 12") of the cargo hold comprises a longitudinal planar side (18, 19, 19") and that the second cradle frame structure comprises a longitudinal planar side (18, 19, 19"), whereby the second cradle frame structure (4b, 4b") is arranged on top of the cradle frame structure (4b, 4b") at the bottom (12, 12") of the cargo hold (1) in such a manner that the sides (18, 19, 19") of the cradle frame structures (4b, 4b") form a uniform wall that extends from the first side wall (15, 15") of the cargo hold to the second, opposite side wall (16, 16") of the cargo hold.

12. An arrangement as claimed in any one of preceding claims 9 to

11, characterised in that the first and second cradle frame structures (4b, 4b', 4b") are each formed of one uniform cradle frame.

13. An arrangement as claimed in any one of preceding claims 9 to

12, characterised in that the cradle frame structure (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) at the bottom (12, 13, 12', 13') of the cargo hold comprises at its bottom end fastening members (31 , 31 ', 31 ") for fastening to fastening means (32, 32', 32") at the bottom of the cargo hold.

14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the cradle frame structure at the bottom (12, 13, 12', 13') of the cargo hold comprises at its top end fastening means (33, 33', 33") for receiving the fastening members (31, 31', 31") at the bottom end of the second cradle frame structure (4a, 4b, 4b', 4b") for fastening the second cradle frame structure to the cradle frame structure at the bottom of the cargo hold.

15. An arrangement as claimed in claim 13 or 14, c h a r a c t e r - i s e d in that the width of the cradle frame structures (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4b', 4b") corresponds to the length of a 20-foot standard container.

16. An arrangement as claimed in any one of preceding claims 9 to 15, characterised in that the side walls (15, 16, 15', 16') of the cargo hold (1, 2) have several supports (17, 17') vertically at a distance from each other for supporting several cradle frame structures (4a to 4d, 4b', 4b") at a desired height in the cargo hold.

17. An arrangement as claimed in any one of preceding claims 9 to 15, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the side walls (15, 16, 15', 16') of the cargo hold (1 ) have supports (17, 17') vertically at a distance from each other and supports (17, 17') horizontally at a distance from each other for supporting cradle frame structures (4b, 4b') at a desired height and in a desired longitudinal position in the cargo hold of the vessel.

18. An arrangement as claimed in claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it comprises several cradle frame structures (4b") that are arranged on top of each other in a tower-like manner and that each comprise crosswise, upward-opening reel troughs (30") designed to keep reels (5") positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, that each cradle frame structure (4b") further comprises crosswise, downward-opening troughs (40") to permit the reception of the top parts of the reels (5") in the cradle frame structure (4b") positioned below, and that in adjacent cradle frame structures (4b") positioned on top of each other, the vertical symmetry planes (X-X) of the downward-opening troughs (40") are in line with the symmetry planes (Y- Y) of the upward-opening reel troughs (30") of the adjacent cradle frame structure.

19. An arrangement as claimed in claim 18, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the cradle frame structures (4b") are arranged on top of each other in such a manner that the crosswise reel troughs (30") and troughs (40") form tunnellike spaces (50") for the reels (5").

20. An arrangement as claimed in claim 18, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the cradle frame structures (4b") are turnable upside down so that the downward-opening troughs (40") open upward and form upward-opening reel troughs to keep reels (5") positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, whereby after said turning, the reel troughs (30") that were originally in the top part of the cradle frame structure form downward- opening troughs to permit the reception of the top parts of the reels (5") of the cradle frame structure (4b") to be positioned below.

21 . A cradle frame structure for use in transporting reels (5") in vessels, the cradle frame structure (4b") being intended for positioning in the cargo hold of the vessel and comprising crosswise reel troughs (30") designed to keep the reels to be positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, characterised in that the bottom part of the cradle frame structure (4b") comprises crosswise, downward-opening troughs (40") which are designed to receive at least the top parts of reels positioned below the cradle frame structure and which, by turning the cradle frame structure upside down, open upward and form reel troughs designed to keep the reels to be positioned therein in place at least in the horizontal and downward directions, and after said turning, the reel troughs (30") originally in the top part of the cradle frame structure form downward-opening troughs that are designed to receive at least the top parts of the reels to be positioned below the cradle frame structure.

22. A cradle frame structure as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that the longitudinal sides (19") of the cradle frame structure are formed of a rectangular plate.