A Stowage Plan is a detailed diagram used in international ocean shipping, prepared by the vessel or terminal planner based on factors such as ship stability, cargo characteristics, and port of discharge sequence, showing the specific stacking positions of cargo within the ship's holds. It indicates each shipment's hatch location, tier, port and starboard side, and fore-and-aft position, and serves as a key basis for loading, discharging, and navigational safety. Use cases include: pre-loading stowage planning, tallying at discharge ports, re-stowing at intermediate ports, and maritime claims. Precautions: the stowage plan must be consistent with the bill of lading and manifest; dangerous goods must be separately marked and comply with IMDG rules; refrigerated cargo must avoid heat sources. Difference from 'pre-stowage plan': the pre-stowage plan focuses on planning, while the stowage plan reflects the actual loading result; different from a 'container packing plan,' which concerns the interior of a container. Foreign trade practitioners should verify the stowage plan against bill of lading information to avoid mis-discharge or delays.
📝 Examples
1. Please confirm based on the final stowage plan whether our cargo is loaded in the bottom tier of Hatch No. 2, so that we can arrange the pickup plan at the port of discharge. (Used to verify the actual cargo position with the shipping agent)
2. Because the stowage plan shows dangerous goods in the same hold as food, the consignee raised an objection and requested the carrier to provide segregation certification. (Used to handle disputes over cargo segregation compliance)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
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