The engine of global commerce, moving over 90% of the world's goods daily, operates largely unseen, hidden from the public eye. Yet, a recent eleven-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the container ship "Sine A" offered a rare, immersive look into this massive, often overlooked industry. Presented by a team led by Enes Yilmazer, this "adventure of a lifetime" voyage from Spain to New York City provided an unparalleled, intimate perspective on the intricate workings of global shipping and the dedicated individuals who sustain it. The project, a culmination of over a year of planning, was deeply personal for Yilmazer, stemming from a lifelong fascination with the industry and a profound connection to the sponsoring company, Arkas, which had previously sponsored him as a windsurfing athlete in his youth.
The "Sine A" itself is a marvel of engineering, a 730-foot-long vessel built from steel, equivalent to two football fields in length. Designed for purpose and endurance, this ship, constructed by Hyundai in South Korea in 2008, can transport over 2,000 containers packed with billions of dollars' worth of goods. It can hold a total of 2,824 twenty-foot containers, with 833 reportedly on board during this particular crossing. The containers vary in size—20, 40, and 45 feet long, and in two heights: standard (8 feet 6 inches) and high cube (9 feet 6 inches)—and are meticulously secured using lashing bars with turnbuckles and twist locks. Some are even equipped with GPS trackers or built-in refrigeration units for temperature-sensitive cargo. The ship's structure maximizes storage, with massive steel beams extending to the edges to support containers. Propelled at speeds up to 23.6 knots by an immense engine operating at 90% performance, the "Sine A" demands significant fuel: 185 tons of diesel for coastal areas and 3,135 tons of fuel oil for the open sea, the latter of which is heated for optimal efficiency. Safety is paramount, with features like 7.2-ton anchors and heavy chains to keep the vessel stationary, a massive wind and water breaker at the bow, and specialized relief valves designed to prevent extensive damage in the event of an engine explosion.
Related article - Uphorial Radio
At the literal and figurative core of the "Sine A" is its engine room, described as a "self-sufficient floating city". This colossal 44-foot-tall engine, featuring seven pistons each supported by three massive fuel injectors, powers the ship, generates electricity, produces fresh water from seawater using engine combustion heat, processes waste, and provides climate control throughout the vessel. Four massive diesel generators, each producing 1,730 kilowatts, ensure continuous power, with just one capable of supplying the entire ship's needs while underway. Within this complex space are essential facilities, including a fully equipped workshop for repairs, a refrigeration plant, and a fuel treatment room where fuel oil is filtered and heated before combustion. Maneuvering the immense vessel in tight spaces or during docking is aided by the bow thruster, an electric motor-powered propeller located at the ship's front, drawing 1,200 kilowatts of energy. The "brains" of the vessel reside in the engine control room and the navigation deck. The control room, a cooler and quieter space, is fitted with panels, gauges, and Rolls-Royce steering gear, equipped with an alarm system that alerts engineers and, if ignored, the navigation deck, ensuring constant monitoring. The navigation deck, high above, utilizes advanced communication systems like long-distance satellite (Inmarsat) and short-range VHF radio for communicating with ports or nearby ships. Its radar systems, including the S-band, can reveal the profound isolation of the open ocean, sometimes showing no other vessels within a 96-mile radius. The helm station features an autopilot and the main steering wheel, while the "Monkey Deck," the highest point on the ship, houses X-band and S-band radars and offers unparalleled views of the vessel and the endless Atlantic.
The true strength of this operation lies with its small, dedicated crew, typically 22 to 25 men, who are the "unspoken heroes" of global trade. These individuals operate and maintain the "floating colony" non-stop, 24/7, often under contracts lasting up to six months, facing intense physical and mental demands and profound solitude. Their daily lives are rigidly structured, from early wakeups to precise mealtimes and work schedules. Despite these hardships, a strong sense of camaraderie thrives, fostered by shared meals, games like ping-pong, and watching soccer matches. Each crew member, including the visitors, has a private cabin on the C and E-Decks, providing essential personal space and a sense of normalcy. Leadership positions, such as the captain and chief engineer, enjoy more spacious quarters, often equipped with radar monitors for continuous oversight. Onboard facilities include a functional gym, laundry rooms, a ship's office with crucial Load Master computers for cargo balancing and anti-heeling systems, and a well-stocked hospital for any medical emergencies. The galley, managed by a creative chef, ensures the crew is well-fed with diverse meals from fresh and frozen stores, capable of sustaining them for months in multiple walk-in fridges and freezers. Safety is paramount, with regular fire and lifeboat drills that underscore the extreme isolation at sea, where the crew must rely solely on their training and each other. Two lifeboats, each accommodating 25 people and three days' worth of supplies, serve as their last resort in the face of the unthinkable.
Beyond observation, Enes Yilmazer and his team actively participated in the crew's demanding work. Yilmazer undertook a challenging and potentially dangerous task in the engine room: cleaning a clogged seawater filter, a job that vividly illustrated the intense realities of their daily responsibilities. The team also ventured into the ship's most hidden areas, including a perilous crawl through the "bottom of the ship," a confined space barely five feet high, highlighting the vessel's engineering marvels and the extreme environments faced by those maintaining it.
Upon their arrival in New York City after 11 days, the journey concluded, leaving Yilmazer with a profound and lasting shift in perspective. He departed with immense admiration for the crew's unwavering commitment, resilience, and extraordinary ability to keep the world moving, recognizing them as true inspirations. This "once in a lifetime opportunity" not only documented a vital industry but also cast a much-deserved spotlight on the "unspoken heroes" who make global trade possible.
