Business activities have now expanded the borders of continents. One company situated in one continent is engaged in business deals with another company situated in another continent. Trade between them takes place in many forms and the goods are supplied via air or sea transport. The medium in between i.e. the one providing logistics to the both parties is responsible for protecting the goods. The cheaper medium of transport is via sea route or also termed as the maritime industry. Sending goods through air is fast and expensive, but it has a limit of weight an airplane can carry.

When goods are being transported for business purposes, the first choice of both the parties is the sea route because it is cheap. But a ship cannot travel at the speed of an airplane hence it takes more time to deliver. Also the customs and clearance tasks can take an extra day or two. Goods while being shipped are at a risk of getting damaged by the water. Since a ship has to sail for many days or even weeks to make a delivery, it needs to be completely sealed. There should be no leak in any part of the ship or else the goods can be water damaged.

To ensure that the goods remain safe during the voyage, the ship’s crew checks tightness of hatch with ultrasound. As we know that hatch covers are used to seal the open cargo holds, they act just the way a lid does for a jar. It seals the insides and keeps the goods inside safe and dry. The extremely humid air of the seas can easily damage the covers of goods which are mostly of hard paper. Cardboard and wooden boxes are usually used for packing goods and both of these are easily damaged by humidity.

During the voyage a ship can encounter sea storms. The high waves and the uncontrolled rain wets the entire ship like it is a part of the sea. If there is any kind of leak in the ship’s body, it can easily allow a path to the water to enter. After the water has entered in the cargo holds, there is no limit to the damages it can cause to the goods. The ship’s management is keen to take a test of hatch cover ultrasonic tightness testing before and after every voyage. It helps them to maintain a standard in their transport business and also provides peace of mind to their customers.