BAPLIE
BAPLIE (Bay Plan) is the UN/EDIFACT message used between shipping lines, terminals and ports to communicate the complete stowage plan of a container vessel — every container's slot position (bay/row/tier), weight, hazardous goods status, reefer status, port of discharge and other operational attributes.
BAPLIE is fundamental to terminal operations: stevedores use it to plan discharge sequences and crane allocation; port authorities use it for safety and DG segregation checks; downstream terminals use it to plan their own loading. The message is exchanged at each port call — first as a "stowage as loaded" snapshot, updated en route as containers are loaded/discharged.
The current version, BAPLIE 3.1.1, is published by SMDG (Shipping Message Design Group), the maritime industry's EDI standards body.
BAPLIE is the vessel's stowage map — which box sits in which slot, with weight, dangerous-goods and reefer status. Terminals plan discharge sequences and crane work from it, and port authorities check DG segregation against it. Without an accurate BAPLIE a terminal cannot safely or efficiently work the ship.
stowage plan
pre-arrival
discharge done
What does a BAPLIE contain?
Every container's slot position (bay/row/tier), weight, hazardous-goods and reefer status, and port of discharge — the complete stowage plan of the vessel.
Who publishes the BAPLIE standard?
SMDG (the Shipping Message Design Group), the maritime industry's EDI standards body; the current version is BAPLIE 3.1.1.