Cargo Operations and Carriage of Goods
Cargo care and cargo documents
This domain tests stowage, securing, ventilation, dangerous goods segregation, draft survey and the carrier's documentary duties.
- Stowage factor is volume per unit weight; compare it with hold bale or grain capacity before accepting a cargo.
- Cargo securing must follow the Cargo Securing Manual; lashings need adequate MSL and regular re-tightening.
- IMDG Code segregation applies to dangerous goods; the DG list and stowage plan must match.
- Ventilation controls condensation and cargo sweat; hygroscopic cargoes need careful dew-point management.
- A bill of lading is a receipt, evidence of contract and document of title; 'said to contain' does not protect against false description.
Worked example
A ship displaces 5000 t with KG 6.80 m. It loads 400 t of cargo at VCG 3.00 m. New KG = (5000 × 6.80 + 400 × 3.00) / 5400 = (34,000 + 1200) / 5400 = 35,200 / 5400 = 6.52 m. If KM is 7.20 m, final GM = 7.20 − 6.52 = 0.68 m. The low cargo improves stability; free surface in partly filled tanks would still reduce the effective GM.
Traps
Using displacement without deductibles in a draft survey. Treating stowage factor as density. Ignoring IMDG segregation because the cargo is 'only' in transit. Accepting a clean bill of lading for visibly damaged cargo.