Loading/Discharging Plan
The document that turns a commercial operation into a safe one: stability, structural stresses and an operational sequence agreed before work begins.
Operational Explanation
The loading/discharging plan sets out the sequence of operations, the quantities per hold/tank, and the stability and structural stress checks needed to keep the ship in a safe condition at every stage of the operation, not only once it is complete.
The main risk is not a non-compliant final load, but the intermediate conditions: a poorly planned loading/discharging sequence can generate excessive bending or shear moments, or critical stability conditions, even if the final state falls within the limits.
Regulatory Reference
SOLAS Chapter VI (Carriage of Cargoes) and, for dry cargo ships, the IMSBC Code (International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code): the loading plan must be agreed between ship and terminal before operations begin, and must ensure compliance with stability limits and permissible structural stresses at every stage.
Scope of Application
Every loading or discharging operation, for every ship type (bulk carrier, container ship, general cargo, tanker), with additional specific requirements for bulk carriers under the IMSBC Code.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Agree the loading/discharging plan with the terminal before operations begin, including sequence, quantities per hold/tank and expected timing.
- Verify with the ship's loading software that every intermediate stage respects the stability limits (GM, metacentric height) and the permissible structural stresses (shear force, bending moment).
- Communicate any operational constraints to the terminal (e.g. a mandatory sequence for structural reasons) before the start, not during the operation.
- Monitor the operation as it proceeds, checking that the actual sequence matches the agreed plan.
- Record any deviations from the original plan and the corresponding authorisation/safety assessment.
Practical Example
Example: a loading plan for a bulk carrier with 5 holds, with a sequence agreed to avoid excessive amidships bending moment during the intermediate stages, verified with the ship's loading computer before starting, with estimated loading times for each hold communicated to the terminal.
Real Cases
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Plan agreed only for the final state, not for the intermediate stages | Excessive structural stresses during the operation, even with a compliant final state | Verify every intermediate stage with the loading computer, not just the final result |
| Actual sequence different from the agreed plan, due to terminal requirements | Unforeseen and unverified stability or stress conditions | Formally authorise and verify every deviation from the original plan before proceeding |
| Structural constraints communicated to the terminal only after operations have begun | Difficulty correcting a sequence that is already under way | Communicate all operational constraints before loading/discharging begins |
PSC Observations
Operational Tips
- Always verify the intermediate stages with the loading computer, not just the final state of the cargo.
- Communicate every structural constraint to the terminal before operations begin, not during.
- Formally document every deviation from the original plan together with the corresponding safety assessment.
Checklist
- Plan agreed with the terminal before operations begin
- Intermediate stages verified with the loading computer
- Structural constraints communicated in advance
- Actual sequence monitored against the plan
- Deviations from the plan documented and authorised