Lloyd's Register and Jurong Port in Singapore have revised the Best Practice Guidelines for Stowage and Securing of Steel & General Cargoes, putting personnel safety at the centre of cargo operations in a segment still plagued by avoidable damage claims and discharge disruption.

The update comes despite decades of advances in vessel design and cargo handling equipment. Poor stowage, inadequate securing arrangements and inconsistent cargo presentation continue to drive cargo damage, operational delays and safety incidents across general cargo and steel supply chains.

The stakes are rising. As supply chains grow more complex and project cargoes and steel products increase in both size and value, how cargo is prepared before it reaches the port has become a decisive factor in whether discharge operations run to schedule.

What the guidance covers

The revised guidelines take a consistent, practical approach to cargo preparation, stowage and securing. They offer concrete recommendations for every party in the chain: cargo owners, shippers, vessel operators, stevedores and terminal operators.

LR's review concentrated on the practical realities of transporting and discharging general cargoes. It addresses cargo accessibility, segregation, dunnage arrangements, bundling methods, lashing practices and how cargo is presented for safe and efficient stevedoring. The revision also folds in lessons learned from operational experience and common deficiencies observed in general cargo shipments.

Benchmarked against regulation

The updated guidance was assessed against the key international regulatory framework, including the IMO Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (the CSS Code), IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1353 on Cargo Securing Manuals, relevant provisions of the ISM Code and recognised industry best practice for the transport and handling of general cargo.

Taylor Wamburg, Regional Advisory Lead at Lloyd's Register, said the industry continues to see avoidable cargo damage, safety risks and operational disruption resulting from poor stowage, inadequate securing arrangements and insufficient consideration of discharge requirements.

"Good guidance bridges the gap between regulatory requirements and the practical realities of cargo operations," Wamburg said. "By working with Jurong Port to update these guidelines, we are helping the industry adopt safer, more consistent practices that protect people, cargo and vessels while supporting more efficient port operations."

Willie Liao, Senior Manager, Strategic Port Planning & Transformation at Jurong Port, said careful preparation upstream determines outcomes downstream. "Good stowage, adequate securing and careful planning for discharge requirements are critical to safe and efficient cargo operations," he said.

"By working with Lloyd's Register to strengthen these guidelines, we aim to promote greater consistency in industry practices that reduce safety risks, cargo damage and operational disruptions, while improving the productivity and reliability of cargo handling," Liao added.

Commercial implications

For cargo owners and shippers moving steel and project cargo, the guidance signals a firmer expectation that cargo arrives at the port properly prepared, bundled and presented. Failures at this stage have a direct cost: damaged product, disputed claims and hours lost at the quay while stevedores work around inaccessible or badly secured loads.

For carriers and vessel operators, more consistent cargo presentation reduces the risk of shifting loads and the liability that follows, while terminals and stevedores benefit from faster, safer discharge cycles. Forwarders arranging breakbulk and project shipments should expect shippers and terminals to reference the revised guidelines more frequently when setting out responsibilities for cargo preparation.

The collaboration between a classification society and one of Asia's key general cargo and bulk terminals gives the guidance practical weight. Jurong Port handles a significant share of Singapore's non-containerised cargo, and deficiencies observed there reflect patterns seen across the global breakbulk trades.

As project cargo and steel consignments continue to grow in size and value, the industry can expect preparation standards upstream of the port to come under closer scrutiny — and operators who align early with the revised guidelines will be better placed to avoid the damage claims and discharge delays that continue to dog the general cargo trades.