What is the hold of a ship?

The hold of a ship is the large interior space below the main deck where cargo is stored during transportation. The hold is typically accessed through large hatch covers on the deck and is divided into one or more compartments to separate different types of cargo. The hold is designed to be strong enough to withstand the different types of stress that may arise from the movement of the vessel at sea, as well as to protect the cargo from damage caused by saltwater, humidity, and other environmental factors. It may also be equipped with hermetic sealing to create a controlled atmosphere for certain types of cargo, such as perishable goods. Cargo ships of different sizes and types have different configurations of hold spaces, depending on the nature of their intended cargo and the specific requirements of the vessel.