Cargo Terminology (Part of Ch2)

Question 1

Bale capacity

Answer 1

the cubic capacity of cargo space inside cargo battens, ceiling and the
underside of deck beams.

Question 2

Block stowage

Answer 2

an even stack of cargo which makes efficient use of available cargo space.

Question 3

Bottom stow cargo

Answer 3

high density which can withstand crushing.

Question 4

Break-bulk

Answer 4

non-bulk cargo such as steel rods, pipes, construction equipment, which is
neither containerised nor unitised.

Question 5

Broken stowage

Answer 5

unused space in the hold due to the irregularity of the shape of the
cargo or hold, or due to the inability to reach remote parts of the hold. It is expressed as
a percentage of total cargo hold capacity.

Question 6

Cargo battens

Answer 6

longitudinal timbers (wooden pieces) fitted to the
inside of ship’s frames to keep cargo clear of the steel. More commonly called “dunnage”

Question 7

Ceiling

Answer 7

the timber placed along the bottom of the cargo space to protect the ship
(usually tank tops) from damage caused by cargo. More commonly called “dunnage”

Question 8

CKD

Answer 8

“completely knocked down” machinery, usually referring to motor vehicles or
electric scooters shipped in parts, typically in boxes or pallets.

Question 9

Deadweight

Answer 9

the weight of cargo, stores, bunkers and water. A measure of
the cargo carrying capacity of a ship. Often refers to the summer deadweight, namely the
deadweight when the ship is at her summer draft

Question 10

Drop stow

Answer 10

It is the cargo that is stowed in the square of the hatch directly under the
derrick/crane.

Question 11

Dunnage

Answer 11

It is material (often timber, rubber or plywood ) that is used to separate or
protect cargo. Where dunnage is required, it must be included in the space calculations.

Question 12

Grain capacity

Answer 12

The cubic capacity available for cargo that flows to the ship’s side.

Question 13

IBC

Answer 13

Intermediate bulk container used for the carriage of between
0.25 and 3m3
of bulk material.

Question 14

Measurement cargo

Answer 14

cargo on which freight is charged by space. It usually occupies
more than 1m3
of space per tonne weight.

Question 15

Optional cargo

Answer 15

cargo for which the discharge port is not certain at the time of
loading.

Question 16

Over-carried

Answer 16

Cargo which has been carried beyond its intended destination.

Question 17

Over-stowed

Answer 17

cargo which is blocked by cargo for a later port of discharge.
Either requires double handling of offending cargo or must be over-carried.

Question 18

Pre-slung

Answer 18

cargo which has lifting slings already attached.

Question 19

Short-shipped

Answer 19

Cargo that has been booked but not loaded.

Question 20

Short-landed

Answer 20

cargo which was not discharged at its intended destination.

Question 21

Spreader

Answer 21

a beam that is used below the cargo hook to keep lifting slings correctly
separated. A more mechanical version is used to load containers on cellular container
ships.

Question 22

Square of the hatch

Answer 22

area of the hold or ‘tween deck directly below the hatch
opening.

Question 23

Stowage factor

Answer 23

number of m3
occupied by 1 tonne of the cargo

Question 24

Taint

Answer 24

A trace of a contaminating substance found in cargo that is likely to render it unfit
for its intended purpose. Normally associated with smell.

Question 25

Tomming

Answer 25

Timber used to brace cargo and prevent it from shifting

Question 26

Transhipment

Answer 26

Transfer of cargo from one vessel to another for onward carriage. May be
done at the berth, or directly between ships at anchorage.

Question 27

Tween-deck

Answer 27

a deck located in the upper part of the cargo hold of some general
cargo ships. Can be folded in and out.