Stowage plan for ships

Stowage plan for ships or bay plan is the plan and method by which different types of container vessels are loaded with containers of specific standard sizes. The plans are used to maximize the economy of shipping and safety on board.

Purpose
In order to maximize the economy of handling and shipping of containers on a ship, stowage plans sometimes known as bay plans, have become essential in the shipping trade. The plans are also vital for safety on board the ship and it is recommended that personnel working on ships are familiar with them.

Containers and ship sections


Due to the hazardous Space environment, spaceflight, and Ship motions it has become necessary to put and secure storage container in cells or racks aboard ships.

The Abh, at least on their military ship, have implemented a rail based automated storage and retrieval system which allows ease of transfer between ships and stations. However, ordinary ships don't have the necessary complex and bulky bridging equipment.

However, an automated system does not reduce the complexity of cargo handling and management.

Problems
As stowage plans are transmitted electronically as data files between ships and terminals, they can be intercepted by modern pirates working with organized crime syndicates.