Freight-and-Passenger Ship

a vessel equipped for the simultaneous transport of cargo and passengers. A cargo vessel carrying more than 12 passengers is considered by the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea to be a passenger vessel and is subject to stricter safety requirements. However, there is no strict differentiation between passenger and freight ships, since baggage, mail, and other cargo are almost always transported along with passengers. Usually a vessel whose cargo-carrying activities take precedence over its passenger-carrying activities is termed a freight-and-passenger ship. Freight-and-passenger ferries are also included in this category.

A modern freight-and-passenger ship may accommodate up to 1,000 people and have a cargo capacity of 500–17,000 tons with a cargo volume of 1,000–20,000 cu m (including a refrigerated hold with a volume of 400–1,500 cu m). In addition, it may have a cruising speed of 13–20 knots (24–37 km/hr) and, usually, a diesel or steam-turbine power plant.