How to utilise maximum hold space in ships loading ? What is broken stowage?
Cargo ships guideline
The shipowner is generally
responsible for the stowage of cargo
onboard the vessel. In the handling of
stowage and carriage of cargo, the
following general principles will
apply:
The safety of ship and crew
The safety of the cargo
The highest possible port speed
The most efficient use of space
When loading a general cargo at a variety of ports for a variety of ports, the problem
of where to place the individual cargoes must be solved to secure minimum time in
port. The cargo must be stowed in reverse order of the intended discharge to avoid
rearrangements of the consignments. At the same time the amount of unused space
should be kept as low as possible to obtain the best economical use of the vessel.
It is common to distinguish between horizontal and vertical stowage of general cargo
in a ship. With horizontal stowage the cargo is spread over a relatively large area, while
in vertical loading the consignments are stacked on top of each other so that space
can be better utilised.
cargo stowage
Bulk cargoes present little difficulty in stowage, as they can fill
up the holds as appropriate. In some cases the cargo needs to be trimmed, i.e.
shovelled by hand from high piles in the centre of the hold to the perimeter so that
the vessel can be filled up and best utilised.
The given stowage factor of a particular cargo will normally take what is called broken
stowage into account.
Broken stowage is space lost because of the shape of the
cargo and/or particular requirements in regard to stowing it in the cargo holds. For
example, there may be limitations on how many units or consignments which may be
placed on top of each other. For homogeneous bulk commodities, broken stowage is
usually small. For irregular packages, as often found in typical general cargo lot, it may
be substantial.
Broken stoage of paper rolls
The stowage factor of any cargo is the volume which a certain amount in weight of
that cargo occupies. It is usually measures in cubic feet per long ton or alternatively in
cubic metres per metric ton. If the stowage factor is 20, it indicates a heavy cargo. If it
is 100, it indicates that the cargo is light.
The stowage factor is important for the loading of cargo in the various means of
transport, as it indicates the amount of the cargo which can go into the holds. Either
the volume or the weight will be the limiting factor. The stowage factors of various
products are given in published stowage tables.
While stowage of goods is important for the utilisation of space in containers and
holds, packaging and stowage must also be carefully considered in relation to
marketing and the needs and specifications of the customers as well as in relation to
minimising damage.
Broken Stowage
Any break in stowageor broken stowagecaused by the presence of pillars, stanchions, brackets, web
frames, etc., for the filling of which certain packages are not available, or space which is unsuitable to
receive a package of cargo, should be packed firmly with suitable dunnage or airbags, in order to prevent
movement of cargo in a seaway and to afford a stable and level platform for the next tier.
The loss of valuable cargo space, where the nature of the cargo justifies economy, is best avoided by:
Compactness of stowage.
Selecting packages which, by the nature and value of their contents and their construction, are
suitable for filling broken stowage. Reels of barbed wire, bales of binder twine, coils of small wire,
for example, are very useful for this purpose.
Always keeping a supply of such packages, or of low freighted goods, ready at hand in the holds,
for use when wanted.
Stowing casks and drums upright rather than on their sides.
Nesting and/or stowing pipes "bell and cantline". Blocking in spaces left between large cases with
smaller packages. Care should be taken that these packages cannot become crushed.
Special selection of cargo suitable for filling beam spaces, i.e. cargo which is not liable to chafe or
damage by sweat, if moist or heated cargo is carried in the same compartment, or refrigerated cargo
in the compartment above. It should be borne in mind that 68% of the hold capacity in `tween
decks may be contained between the deck beams.
Loadlines are marks punched into and painted on the sides of general cargo ships.The assigning of the vessels loadline and the issue of the Certificate is the
responsibility of the Marine Authority of the country. . More .....
closely monitor the ship's condition during cargo
operations to ensure that if a significant deviation from the agreed loading/unloading
plan is detected all cargo and ballast operations must STOP.. More .....
Packing a container should always be done on level plane either on the ground,on a railcar, or on a trailer. In the case of a trailer, care should be taken to ensure the trailer cannot tip whilst being packed especially if a forklift truck is being used. If necessary the trailer should be propped. Brakes should be securely applied and wheels choked. More .....
Where relevant, stowing should be carried out in a sequence which will permit
rapid checking and storage operations during and after unloading. Should the
consignment include cargo subject to customs pre-entry procedures, customs
examination would be made easier and unloading avoided if the cargo were
stowed at the end of the container by the door. More .....
Containers have very little strength in any direction other than vertically
through the corner posts thus it is necessary to provide substantial support
to the containers when they are on the ship. Stowage of containers is with
their longer dimension fore and aft since the ship motion transmitted to
cargo is greater in rolling than pitching and it is therefore prudent to limit
any possible cargo movement within the container to the shorter transverse
dimension. More .....
The access shall be separate from the hatchway opening, and shall be by a stairway if possible. A fixed ladder, or a line of fixed rungs, shall have no point where they fill a reverse slope
. More .....
Cargo gear is designed for speed and flexibility for handling breakbulk, palletized, or container cargo. Various combinations of derricks,
winches, and deck cranes are used for the handling of cargo. Cranes are fitted on many vessels to reduce manpower requirements. Some ships
have special heavy-lift derricks that may serve one or more holds. Booms are rigged for either yard and stay (burton) or swinging-boom
operation. More .....
Structural plans, sometimes called scantlings plans, show dimensions of the ships framing and plating. The midships section drawing, generally available for all ships More .....
General Cargo Ship.com provide information on cargo ships various machinery systems -handling procedures, on board safety measures and some basic knowledge of cargo ships that might be useful for people working on board and those who working in the terminal. For any remarks please
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