Stowage

Stowage refers to the process of reasonably arranging, stacking, and securing cargo within ships, containers, or other means of transport. Its core objectives are to fully utilize cargo space and deadweight capacity while ensuring navigational safety and preventing cargo from shifting, being crushed, getting damp, or being damaged. Use cases include bulk cargo, breakbulk, and container transport, and it is especially critical in commodity and project logistics. Precautions: consider cargo nature (e.g., segregation of dangerous goods), weight distribution (avoid center of gravity deviation), loading/unloading sequence (discharge before loading), and climate effects. Difference from 'Planning': planning is the advance planning of cargo positions, while stowage is actual execution and adjustment; difference from 'Loading': loading focuses on the act of loading onto the vessel, while stowage emphasizes scientific stacking and securing. Foreign trade contracts often specify who bears the stowage fee and liability for improper stowage.