The modern general-cargo ships that are used in the liner trades have several decks and, with deadweights ranging from 9,000 to 15,000 tons and speeds of 17 to 22 knots, they have reached a stage of development that has undergone no significant change for several years now.
Inqanawa yomthwalo jikelele yangoku ezisetyenziswa kuthengiso lomgca inemigangatho emininzi, kunye nobunzima obufileyo obusuka kumawaka alithoba ukuya kumawaka alishumi elinesihlanu leetoni isantya esilishumi elinesixhenxe ukuya kumashumi amabini anesibini omlinganiso wesantya esibekiweyo, bafikelele kwisigaba senkqubela-phambili ebesingahambanga ndlela ingako ebalulekileyo yokutshintsha iminyaka emininzi ngoku.