Steel Slabs – California Block Stowage

The California Block Stowage (CBS) method of stowing steel slab cargoes. CBS was developed by shippers and carriers involved in the regular transport of steel slabs between Brazil and California and allows for quicker loading and discharge of cargo.

The essential elements of the CBS method are:

• semi-finished steel slabs are loaded onto the hatch square tank top area as a free-standing stow
• slabs are loaded fore & aft with minimum dunnage under and between slabs
• minimal lashing - upper and outer tiers only - by metal bandings and clips.
• stow is held in place by the inertia of its own mass and the friction between the semi-finished slabs
• weight of stow is centred on half of the tank top area, thus lift is limited to half hold capacity

The CBS method was designed for a particular cargo from a particular industry and for a particular route with stowage carried out under the supervision of those with specialist knowledge of the method. It cannot be transplanted to other situations without serious safety risks associated with the collapse of the stow.

The Club does not recommend the use of the CBS method and would advise that members do not agree, by charterparty or otherwise, to use the CBS method.

If, nonetheless, members find themselves under pressure to agree to the CBS method, they should ensure that they do so only if all the circumstances of carriage are those for which the method was originally designed. It is also recommended that members contact the Club before agreeing to use the CBS method.