Ship anchor chains come in a variety of specifications, primarily defined by the diameter of the chain links. Common diameters include 12.5mm, 16mm, and 22mm, among others. International standards, such as those set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and various classification societies (like China Classification Society CCS and Lloyd's Register LR), govern the manufacturing and usage of anchor chains. These standards outline specific requirements for size, strength, material quality, and other key factors to ensure the safety and reliability of the chains.
The size of the ship directly determines the tension that the anchor chain needs to withstand. The size of a ship is usually measured by its displacement.
Generally speaking, the larger the displacement of a vessel, the larger the required specifications of anchor chains. For example, ships with a displacement of 1000-5000 tons may use anchor chains of AM2-AM3 specifications; Large vessels with a displacement exceeding 100000 tons often require anchor chains of AM3-AM4 or even larger specifications to ensure anchoring safety.
The size of the anchor chain (reflected mainly by the diameter of the chain ring) directly determines its strength and weight.
Larger size anchor chain can withstand greater tensile force and is more reliable in transmitting the anchor grip.
For large ships or ships anchored in harsh environments, such as ocean-going oil tankers anchored in deep waters, large-size anchor chains can better withstand external forces such as strong winds and strong currents to ensure the stability of the ship.
At the same time, the heavier weight of the anchor chain itself can also increase the stability of the ship at anchor and reduce the possibility of the ship drifting due to external forces.
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