Stowage
Stowage is the planned arrangement and securing of cargo aboard a ship — deciding where each container or parcel of cargo goes to keep the vessel safe, stable and efficient to work. Good stowage balances the ship (weight distribution, stability and stress), segregates incompatible or dangerous goods, and sequences cargo so that boxes for the next port are accessible without re-handling.
On container ships this is captured in a stowage plan (bay plan) produced with the terminal; on break-bulk and bulk ships it involves dunnage, lashing and trimming. Stowage must respect the ship's stability limits, the IMDG Code segregation rules for dangerous goods, weight limits per stack and reefer-plug positions. Poor stowage risks instability, cargo damage, delays and — with dangerous goods — serious casualties, so stowage planning is a core skill in cargo operations and closely tied to lashing and securing.
How cargo is stowed decides whether a ship is stable, whether the right boxes come off at the right port without costly re-handling, and whether dangerous goods stay safely apart. Bad stowage causes instability, damage and even casualties. Stowage planning is where cargo operations, safety and port efficiency all meet.
What is a stowage plan?
A plan (bay plan on container ships) showing where every unit of cargo is placed aboard, for stability, safety and efficient discharge.
Why does dangerous-goods stowage matter?
The IMDG Code requires incompatible dangerous goods to be segregated; incorrect stowage can cause fires or explosions.