What is stowage factor nedir?

Stowage factor, often referred to as stowage efficiency, is a characteristic of a cargo that indicates how much space the cargo will take up on a vessel. It is expressed in cubic meters per metric ton (m³/t) or cubic feet per long ton (ft³/l.t.). The stowage factor of a cargo depends on its physical properties, including weight per unit volume, mode of packaging, and the shape and size of individual units.

Stowage factor plays a critical role in determining the amount of cargo a vessel can carry, as well as the layout of the cargo hold. It is an important consideration for shippers, shipping companies, and cargo handlers because it affects the cost of transportation and storage.

For example, commodities with high stowage factors, such as bulk grain, require more space on a vessel, resulting in lower cargo density and higher shipping costs. Conversely, products with low stowage factors, such as steel coils, occupy less space, enabling more cargo to be loaded and potentially reducing transportation costs.