Here's how they will work

The Tarros class container ship combines the qualities of the RO-RO ship (stern loader) and the lift on-lift off cellular vessel. It is essentially a feeder class carrier designed for low-cost operation, independent of sophisticated shore-based cargo handling equipment.

Sea Containers Inc. of New York and its British branch, Sea Containers Ltd. of London have done much pioneering work with the class. The company has 13 small container ships in its fleet and nine more on order. Sea Containers first saw the Tarros class operating on short sea hauls between Genoa and Sardina. They saw its potential and placed orders for their own ship.

There are now six Tarros class in the company fleet and another eight on order from Dutch builders. It is claimed that the Tarros class can discharge and load a cargo of 111 20 ft containers in one eight hour working shift. Sea speed is given as 15.5 knots.

The on-ship cargo handling is particularly interesting. Trucks drive on via a stern ramp to an open vehicle deck. Containers are off-loaded from them by the ship’s overhead gantry crane and stowed in a manner similar to that used in deck loads carried by large cellular vessels.

Clearly the Tarros is a well-tested container carrier of unique design particularly suited to short-haul sea trades such as those in the Pacific Islands.