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BAY PLAN

Also known as: bay plan, stowage plan, plan, container stowage plan

A diagram or electronic stowage plan showing the planned location of cargo or containers on a vessel using bay, row, and tier positions.

A bay plan is the primary document used by vessel planners, terminals, and ship officers to determine where each container or cargo unit will be loaded onboard. It identifies every container's location by bay, row, and tier while also indicating container size, weight, type, hazardous cargo, and special handling requirements. Bay plans are essential for maintaining vessel stability, ensuring efficient loading and discharge operations, minimizing re-handling, and complying with safety and regulatory requirements throughout the voyage.
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