Session 2: Stowage Factor

Question 1

What is stowage factor?

Answer 1

Volume in cubic meters required to store one metric ton

• It tells you how many cubic meters of space are needed to stow one metric ton (or another unit of weight) of that cargo. For example, if a cargo has a stowage factor of 1.5 cubic meters per metric ton, it means that for every metric ton of that cargo, you’ll need 1.5 cubic meters of space to store it on a ship. This helps in planning how to load different kinds of cargo efficiently on a ship.

Question 2

Stowage factor can depend on what factors?

Answer 2

1. Nature of the Cargo: The physical characteristics of the cargo play a significant role. Different cargoes have varying densities and shapes, which affect how efficiently they can be stowed.
2. Packaging: How the cargo is packaged or containerized can impact its stowage factor. Loose cargo may have a different stowage factor than cargo packed in bags, barrels, containers, or other forms.
3. Moisture Content: The moisture content of certain cargoes, like grains or minerals, can affect their density and, consequently, their stowage factor.

Question 3

What is “measurement cargo” or “measurement freight”?

Answer 3

Charged for carriage based on its volume or measurement rather than its weight.

Let’s say you have a shipment of lightweight but bulky items like foam mattresses. Even though the total weight of the mattresses is relatively low, they take up a significant amount of space in the cargo hold due to their size. In this case, the shipping company may charge you based on the volume or measurement of the cargo rather than its weight, as the volume more accurately represents the space they occupy on the ship. The rate could be quoted as a price per cubic meter or another suitable unit of measurement.

Question 4

what is “deadweight rate” ?

Answer 4

cost of shipping the goods will be determined based on the weight of the cargo

Question 5

What is freight?

Answer 5

charge made by ship owner for carriage of cargo. Can be calculated based on deadweight rate or measurement rate.

Question 6

Cargo ship lower hold capacity is 4000 m3, is to be compactly stowed with cases of machinery. How many tones can be carried in the space? Allow 5% broken stowage. SF for machinery is 1.32m3/t.

Answer 6

So, the cargo hold can carry approximately 2878.79 tonnes of machinery when allowing for 5% broken stowage.

Question 7

A cargo hold has a capacity of 7500m3. it currently contains 1500 tones of tea. SF 1.63 m3/t.
broken stowage 10%. Calculate how much baled cotton can be loaded SF 2.105 m3/t, allowing 5% broken stowage for the cotton.

Answer 7

so, you can load approximately 2177.96 tonnes of baled cotton into the cargo hold, taking into account the broken stowage for both the tea and the cotton.

Question 8

A general cargo ship alongside a terminal, is going to load to her summer load line(Total DWT 8100 tons which includes 500 tonnes of fresh water, fuel, stores and spares)

She has three cargo holds with capacities as follows and cargo to load:
No.1 2500 m3 Grain in bags (SF 1.9 m3/t)
No.2 3200 m3 Tin plate (SF 1.2 m3/t)
No.3 3700 m3 Baled cloth (SF 1.8 m3/t)

Assuming maximum use of cargo space:

a) Calculate how many tonnes of cargo can be loaded in each hold?

Answer 8

the ship will be able to conform with the requirements because its total cargo weight will be 6038.02 tonnes which is below its max capacity of 8100 tonnes