Cargo Transport

Introduction

Cargo transport is one of the foundations of international maritime trade. From raw materials to manufactured products, from grain to containerized goods, and from conventional packages to bulk cargoes, maritime transport enables large volumes of goods to be carried between the world's major ports. This activity relies on a complex technical and regulatory framework involving the ship, the cargo, port operations, the crew and the wider logistics chain.

The “Cargo Transport” category of the Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop covers publications and technical documents dealing with the carriage of goods by sea, including cargo loading, discharge, handling, stowage, lashing and securing. These references are particularly relevant to Masters, deck officers, cargo officers, shipping companies, terminal operators, inspectors, maritime instructors and logistics professionals.

The carriage of cargo by sea is governed by numerous international conventions and requirements. The SOLAS Convention is a major reference: Chapter VI addresses the carriage of cargoes, while Chapter VII addresses the carriage of dangerous goods.

Maritime carriage of goods

Cargo ships can carry many different types of goods. Depending on the nature of the cargo and the characteristics of the vessel, goods may be transported in ISO containers, packages, solid bulk form, wheeled units or other specialized forms.

Major cargo categories include:

• general cargo and packaged goods;

• ISO containers;

• agricultural products and grain;

• ores and raw materials;

• coal and other solid bulk cargoes;

• timber and timber deck cargoes;

• vehicles and wheeled equipment;

• heavy industrial equipment and project cargo;

• dangerous goods;

• cargoes requiring special handling precautions;

• cargoes requiring specific monitoring during the voyage.

The choice of ship, packaging, handling method and securing arrangements depends directly on the characteristics of the cargo. Heavy, oversized, fragile, corrosive, dangerous or moisture-sensitive cargoes require different procedures from conventional general cargo.

Cargo ships and types of cargo vessels

The term cargo ship covers several vessel categories. Container ships carry standardized containers between major commercial ports. Bulk carriers transport solid bulk cargoes such as grain, coal and certain ores. Roll-on/roll-off vessels, or ro-ro ships, are designed to carry vehicles and wheeled units.

Multipurpose cargo ships can carry a wide range of goods, including heavy-lift and project cargo. Specialized vessels are designed for particular cargoes and therefore operate under specific technical and operational requirements.

Loading and discharge operations must take account of ship stability, weight distribution, structural limitations, deck and tank-top strength, and the weather conditions likely to be encountered during the voyage.

Loading, discharge and cargo handling

Cargo transport is not limited to the passage between two ports. A significant part of cargo safety is determined before the ship even sails.

Loading must be planned according to:

• cargo weight and volume;

• destination;

• compatibility with other cargoes;

• sensitivity to moisture or temperature;

• handling requirements;

• securing arrangements;

• ship stability;

• structural limitations;

• loading and discharge sequence.

The cargo plan must maintain acceptable stability and structural loading conditions. Weight distribution directly affects draft, trim, stability and stresses acting on the hull.

For bulk carriers, loading and discharge operations require particular precautions. The BLU Code provides guidance for Masters, bulk carrier operators, terminal representatives and other parties involved in the safe loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes.

Cargo stowage and securing

Cargo securing is a fundamental aspect of maritime safety. During a voyage, a ship is exposed to rolling, pitching, heaving and significant accelerations. Cargo must therefore be positioned and secured to minimize movement.

The CSS Code, or Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing, provides international principles for the safe stowage and securing of cargoes. It emphasizes the need to adapt securing arrangements to the sea and weather conditions that may reasonably be encountered during the voyage.

For containers, securing arrangements may include twistlocks, lashing bars, turnbuckles, wires, chains and other equipment appropriate to the ship and cargo configuration.

Poor cargo securing can result in cargo shift, loss of stability, local structural overload, cargo damage or, in severe cases, containers being lost overboard. The IMO therefore emphasizes proper planning, execution and supervision of cargo stowage and securing operations.

Containers and maritime transport

The container has fundamentally transformed international maritime trade. Standardized transport units facilitate the movement of goods between ships, port terminals, railways and road transport.

Container safety nevertheless depends on several factors: correct packing, proper weight distribution, internal cargo securing, accurate declaration of contents, verified gross mass and proper securing of the container on board.

SOLAS requirements include the verification of the gross mass of packed containers, improving the safety of loading and stowage operations. This information helps ensure correct weight distribution and container stacking.

Dangerous goods

The maritime carriage of dangerous goods is a highly regulated field. Flammable, corrosive, toxic, explosive, pollutant or otherwise hazardous substances must be identified, packed, declared, marked, labelled, documented and stowed in accordance with the applicable requirements.

The IMO International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, or IMDG Code, is the international reference for the maritime carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form. It establishes requirements concerning classification, packing, marking, labelling, documentation, stowage and segregation of incompatible substances.

The 2026 edition of the IMDG Code, incorporating Amendment 43-26, was published in September 2026 and is an important current reference for professionals involved in the maritime transport of dangerous goods.

Carriage of solid bulk cargoes

Solid bulk cargoes present specific hazards. Their behaviour can vary according to particle size, moisture content, density and physical or chemical properties.

The IMSBC Code, or International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code, governs the safe maritime carriage of solid bulk cargoes. It addresses risks including structural damage caused by improper cargo distribution, loss or reduction of stability and chemical reactions.

Grain, ores, coal, metal concentrates and other bulk commodities therefore require appropriate preparation before loading. Cargo information must enable the ship and terminal to determine suitable handling and carriage conditions.

Cargo documentation and cargo management

Documentation is an essential part of cargo transportation. It identifies the cargo, provides information about its characteristics and ensures operational traceability.

Depending on the type of shipment, documentation and cargo information may include:

• description and quantity of the goods;

• gross mass;

• dangerous goods classification;

• packing information;

• cargo plan;

• stowage instructions;

• transport documents;

• information required by the terminal;

• inspection and verification records;

• loading and discharge information.

Such documentation is also essential during inspections, port State control and safety audits.

Cargo transport and maritime safety

Cargo transport safety requires a comprehensive approach. Cargo cannot be considered independently from the vessel and its operating environment.

Weather conditions, sea state, voyage duration, route, port calls and vessel characteristics can all influence the forces acting on cargo.

A North Atlantic voyage between Le Havre and New York does not present the same operating conditions as a North Sea service between Rotterdam and Hamburg or a trade route linking Singapore, Shanghai and ports in the Indian Ocean.

Technical publications on cargo transport therefore help explain the relationship between cargo, vessel, terminal operations, regulations and maritime safety.

Major ports and trade routes

Maritime cargo transport is organized around major ports and international trade routes. In Europe, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Le Havre and Marseille-Fos are major centres for cargo flows.

Worldwide, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Panama and Santos also play major roles in international trade.

Key maritime areas include the North Sea, English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

Knowledge of cargo characteristics and transport procedures is particularly important for ships engaged in international voyages and calling at different port systems and regulatory jurisdictions.

Who uses cargo transport publications?

Publications dealing with cargo transport can be useful to a wide range of maritime professionals:

• Masters and deck officers;

• cargo officers;

• merchant ship crews;

• shipping companies and fleet managers;

• port terminal personnel;

• ship agents;

• cargo handling operators;

• marine surveyors and inspectors;

• QHSE professionals;

• dangerous goods specialists;

• maritime instructors and trainers;

• merchant navy and maritime transport students.

They may also be used for professional training, examination preparation, regulatory updating, audits and inspection preparation.

Essential documentation for the maritime logistics chain

Cargo transport depends on the continuous interaction between navigation, cargo handling, regulations, logistics and safety. A correctly declared cargo can still be dangerous if it is improperly secured; technically adequate securing cannot compensate for an incorrect cargo declaration; and an efficient cargo plan must always remain compatible with the characteristics and limitations of the vessel.

Technical documentation therefore provides a common framework for the different participants in maritime transport. It helps harmonize working practices and supports the application of international requirements in widely differing operational environments.

Conclusion

Cargo transport is a major field of merchant shipping, combining navigation, logistics, cargo handling and international maritime regulation. From cargo preparation to delivery at the destination port, every stage must take account of cargo characteristics, weight, packaging, stowage, securing, vessel limitations and voyage conditions.

Technical publications dedicated to maritime cargo transport provide essential knowledge concerning cargo ships, container vessels, bulk carriers and other cargo vessels. They address loading, discharge, stowage, lashing, containers, dangerous goods and solid bulk cargoes within the framework of international instruments such as SOLAS, IMDG, IMSBC and CSS.

FAQ – Cargo Transport

What is cargo transport?

Cargo transport is the carriage of goods by sea aboard cargo vessels. Cargo may be transported in containers, packages, solid bulk form or specialized transport units.

What are the main types of cargo carried by sea?

Cargo ships may carry containers, grain, ores, coal, agricultural products, vehicles, industrial equipment, general cargo and dangerous goods.

Which regulations govern maritime cargo transport?

The SOLAS Convention is a fundamental reference. Chapter VI addresses cargo carriage and Chapter VII addresses dangerous goods. Other instruments, including the IMDG, IMSBC and CSS Codes, provide additional requirements and guidance.

What is the IMDG Code?

The IMDG Code is the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. It establishes requirements for the classification, packing, marking, labelling, documentation, stowage and segregation of dangerous goods carried by sea in packaged form.

What is the IMSBC Code?

The IMSBC Code governs the safe carriage of solid bulk cargoes by sea. It addresses hazards related to stability, cargo distribution and the physical or chemical properties of bulk cargoes.

Why is cargo securing important?

Cargo securing prevents goods from shifting under the motions of the vessel. Cargo movement can cause damage, loss of stability or excessive structural loads.

What is the CSS Code?

The CSS Code is the IMO Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing. It provides international principles and recommendations for the safe stowage and securing of cargoes on board ships.

Which ships carry solid bulk cargoes?

Bulk carriers are primarily designed to transport solid bulk cargoes such as grain, ores and coal. Loading and discharge methods must be adapted to the characteristics of each cargo.

Why is container weight important?

The verified gross mass of a packed container is essential for determining its correct position and securing arrangement on board. Incorrect weight information can compromise ship, crew and port-operation safety.

Who uses cargo transport publications?

They are used by Masters, deck officers, cargo officers, shipping companies, port personnel, inspectors, maritime trainers, students and other professionals involved in maritime cargo transport.