Why is knowing the *exactstowage factor more critical for break bulk cargo than containerized cargo?

Knowing the exact stowage factor is more critical for break bulk cargo than containerized cargo because break bulk involves individual, non-standardized cargo units loaded directly into a ship's hold, making accurate space estimation essential for efficient stowage planning and ship stability. Stowage factor refers to the volume occupied by one ton of a particular cargo. Containerized cargo, conversely, consists of standardized containers with known dimensions, simplifying space calculations. With break bulk, the shape and size of individual items vary widely, leading to irregular stowage patterns and broken stowage, which is the wasted space between cargo units. An inaccurate stowage factor for break bulk can result in underestimation of the space required, leading to cargo being left ashore or inefficient stowage that compromises the ship's stability. Precise knowledge of the stowage factor allows planners to optimize cargo placement, minimize broken stowage, and ensure that the ship's weight distribution is within acceptable limits, preventing trim and list issues. For example, if the stowage factor for a specific type of machinery is underestimated, the actual volume occupied could exceed the planned space, disrupting the entire stowage plan and potentially affecting the ship's seaworthiness. In contrast, containers have fixed dimensions, so only the number of containers needs to be accurately calculated, simplifying the process.