Cargo Operations and Stowage Basics, Including Dangerous Goods Awareness
Domain 8 tests safe stowage, basic calculations, and awareness of dangerous goods rules rather than detailed chemistry.
Stowage and stability
Stowage factor is volume per unit weight, in m³/t. Broken stowage is unusable space in a hold. Cargo weight and position affect KG and GM; heavy cargo high up reduces stability. Lashing and securing must follow the Cargo Securing Manual. Ventilation and dew-point control reduce condensation damage.
Dangerous goods
IMDG Code classes: 1 explosives; 2 gases; 3 flammable liquids; 4 flammable solids; 5 oxidizing substances; 6 toxic and infectious substances; 7 radioactive material; 8 corrosives; 9 miscellaneous. A dangerous goods declaration gives the UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group and emergency information. Segregation terms include away from, separated from, separated by a complete compartment or hold from, and separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold from. Check the segregation table and class compatibility.
Worked example
500 t of cargo with a stowage factor of 1.5 m³/t requires 750 m³. A hold of 900 m³ leaves 150 m³ broken stowage, which is 150/900 = 16.7% of the hold volume.
Traps
Using weight instead of volume in the stowage-factor calculation; ignoring broken stowage; assuming all class 9 goods are harmless; misreading the segregation table; forgetting that away from is the weakest segregation; failing to check the Cargo Securing Manual and approved stability booklet.