Module Loading contains many useful tools for exploiting specific characteristics of cargo types or loading tools, such as for container loading, RoRo loading, grain loading and shipboard cranes. All these categories have rather ship-specific features, such as container castings, power connections for reefer containers, decks and lanes for RoRo cargo, attachment points for the lashings of containers and trucks, crane dimensions and capacity, grain bulkheads etc. This is ship-specific input, and it has been considered to give it a place in other input modules, such as Hulldef or Layout. However, in order not to overload these modules with options, it was decided to segregate this input into a separate module, called Cargoquip.

The level of discussion in this module is somewhat more general than in the rest of this manual. After all, by the time the user has arrived at these static ship details, he or she will have gone through the entire cycle of hull and compartment input, as well as performing many calculations. For such a seasoned user, not every menu needs to be covered in great detail. Therefore, the concepts of and relations between the various data will be more important here than the precise menu structure.

Attention: Unless stated otherwise, all point coordinates must be given in the PIAS ship axis system.

Input of cargo equipment

1.	Input of spaces
2.	Input of panels
3.	Input of specific data per cargo type
4.	Input of IMDG data
5.	Create data files
6.	File Management

Input of spaces

In this menu you can define all spaces and their subcategories. You can add any number of spaces, the program will automatically select the necessary ones for every required process.

Name: Type a name for the space.
Compartment: Press space to choose from the available compartments defined in Layout. It is not necessary for a space to come from Layout, its solid shape can be manually defined in Solid shape definition.
Decks: Double-click or Enter in order to add deck data. Refer to Input of decks.
Panel positions: Double-click the cell in order to add panel positions, see Input of panel positions. The panels themselves are defined in Input of panels.
Type: Choose between [General] and [IMDG].
Location: Choose between [Above deck] and [Below deck].
Defined: If the selected compartment has been correctly defined in Layout , then green text With compartment will appear and the solid shape definition menu is not accessible. Otherwise, the solid shape needs to be manually defined. Double-clicking will enter a new menu to define the solid, see Solid shape definition.

Input of decks

In this menu you can define any number of decks that will belong to the selected space. Depending on the type of deck (RoRo or Container), some options might become unavailable. [Duplicate] will duplicate the selected deck, including all its points and settings.

For both types, you can define:

Name
Deck type
Contour points
Lashing points

For RoRo you can additionally define:

Floor points
Ceiling points
Maximum deck load
Load allowed : whether RoRo cargo can be loaded on the specific deck
Line pattern (for drawing)
Line type (for drawing)
Line colour (for drawing)
Line thickness (for drawing)

For Container cargo you can additionally define:

Castings
Grid points
Reefer points
Maximum stackload for 20ft containers (including types 1,A,B,C,D,E,F)
Maximum stackload for 30ft containers
Maximum stackload for 40ft containers (including types G,H,K,LM,N,P)
Tier offset : The standard offset for containers in the hold is 0. For containers on deck this is 80. Increase/decrease with steps of 2 for a raised/lowered deck.

Deck 3D points

By pressing Space you can connect any point to a reference plane. Not all of these points need to be defined. It depends on the type of vessel, type of space and type of deck.

Contour points: Contour points have to be manually defined. The first and last point are always identical, indicating a closed contour line.
Castings: Casting points can automatically derive a height from the solid shape if the latter has been defined properly. When filling up the castings list, please be aware to include the length and breadth offsets because they will not be automatically added later. You can also Use table to create castings from container slots. The user-defined points in the list will not be affected by the table.
Grid points: Grid points can automatically derive a height from the solid shape if the latter has been defined properly. A [Bay] and a [Row] also need to be entered.
Lashing points: Lashing points can automatically derive a height from the solid shape if the latter has been defined properly.
Reefer points: Reefer points can automatically derive a height from the solid shape if the latter has been defined properly.

Use table

In this table you can input the coordinates of 20ft container slots. New rows can be added by [New] or [Insert] and deleted by [Remove]. New columns can be added by [new Column] and deleted by [remove cOlumn]. The first row is the longitudinal coordinate (LCG), the first column the transverse coordinate (TCG). These coordinates can also be connected to a reference plane. For the height, you can either type the slot underside in the selected cell, or press Enter or double-click for a popup.

Point manipulation popup.

The slot point can be present or not. If it is, then you can select how the height coordinate is defined: automatically from the solid shape or manually. In [Edit height] you can connect the point to a reference plane. If the setting [Derive height from solid] is enabled, editing either the first row or the first column will automatically update the full column or row respectively. When exiting this table, 4 casting points are automatically generated for each existing slot. Please be aware that these 4 points are persistent to their slot and will be re-generated upon every exit of the table.

Input of panel positions

Here you can input panel positions per space. These panel positions will become available to choose from in the Input of panels.

Solid shape definition

If the space is not connected to a compartment from Layout , then for full functionality the solid shape has to be manually defined. The solid shape is either a rectangle or a set of merged/connected rectangles. These rectangles are defined by 6 points: [Aftside], [Left], [Underside], [Foreside], [Right], [Topside].

Solid shapes are defined by 2 points.

A more complicated shape created by merging. Each pair of points is coloured differently.

If the space is defined by more than 1 rectangle, exiting the solid shape definition menu will automatically create the solid shape by merging all the solids. If the merging operation is successful, the text in the Input of spaces menu will be green, otherwise red. Solid shapes that cannot be created by one or more rectangles have to be defined in Layout .

Input of panels

You can define all panel data in this menu. The length, breadth and height positions of the panel are given in the PIAS ship axis system.

Attention: The axial system of a panel is Aftside, CenterLine, Underside. LCG, TCG, VCG and Castings' coordinates must be given in this local axis system.

In [Positions], you can double-click to select from a list of available positions defined in Input of panel positions.

Input of specific data per cargo type

Main screen

Here you can define the window layout for the Main screen of Locopias by Double-clicking in [Number of defined windows]. [Use default] in the menubar for a default window configuration.

Weight list

Here you can set minimum and maximum values for (free) weight items in the weight list.

Tanks

Here you can define the window layout for the Tanks module by Double-clicking in [Number of defined windows]. [Use default] in the menubar for a default window layout.

Containers

Weightgroup

Choose an existing weightgroup or create a new one.

Default VCG %

Default spacer

Seagoing

Transverse oriented slots present

If the vessel has transverse slots, set this to Yes. If Yes, there will be an option in the Settings of the Container module to turn them on/off.

Upper side hold

Fill in the underside of slot for tier 82. You can also press space to connect this entry to a reference plane.

Bays above deck, Bays below deck

It is not necessary to fill up these lists; you can enter one, neither or both, depending on the geometry of the vessel. [Reference point] is a single coordinate, LCG of the bay. [Bay prientation] can be longitudinal or transverse (rotated 90°).

Rows above deck, Rows below deck

Enter the maximum number of rows. If the number of rows changes from odd to even (or vice versa) then set this to -1.

Example 1 : bays 01 to 03 have 5 rows, bays 05 to 23 have 6 rows = set this to -1.
Example 2 : bays 01 to 03 have 4 rows, bays 05 to 23 have 6 rows = set this to 6.

Note: The rotated slots are not included in this, ignore them for this entry.; If this concerns a vessel without castings, set this to -1.

Default weights per type

Double-click to fill in the table.

Cell guides

Double-click to enter cell guides. This is currently only used in the lashing module. For the cell guides that occupy 2x20ft bays, please add the bay number on the aft (larger bay number).

Note: If you wish for the calculations to take into consideration the cell guides only if there are 40ft containers loaded in the bay, then use the even bay numbering. In the case of a mixed stack (2x20ft together with at least one 40ft) then input the odd aft bay.

Blind frames

Double-click to enter blind frames. This is currently only used in the lashing module. Please note that the bay always starts with a 0. Consider blind frames the positions where there would be imaginary containers, always 20ft normal height.

Example : Blind frames shown in yellow for bay 001.

General cargo

Weightgroup: Choose an existing weightgroup or create a new one.
Minimum, maximum allowable weight: Set the minimum and maximum allowable weight for all general cargo.
Visible compartments in sections: Double-click to enter a list of visible compartments in sections.
Heights: Double-click to enter a name and a height for predefined-selection for free placement of cargo in the General cargo module.
Contour points: Double-click to define contour points. Please be aware that the first and the last point should be identical, indicating a closed contour.
Number of defined windows: Double-click to set the window layout for General cargo. [Use default] in the menubar for a default window layout.

RoRo cargo

Weightgroup: Choose an existing weightgroup or create a new one.
Landing crafts: Double-click to define any number of landing crafts.

Grain

To load grain graphically, it is required to define the geometry of the holds and bulkheads and possible positions. In Layout, make sure you have defined a compartment 1 metre long with the outline of the straight section in the grain hold. If there are also non-parallel sections, you need to define these as a separate compartment. This can be done from the aft/fore of the hold to where it runs parallel again. In the compartment list, you can set the tank to No so it is not counted twice.

Weightgroup grain bulkheads

Choose an existing weightgroup for grain bulkheads or create a new one.

Weightgroup grain holds

Choose an existing weightgroup for grain holds or create a new one.

Tanktop height

Lower limit of hold.

Coaming height

Upper limit of hold

Movable grain bulkheads

Double-click to define any number of movable grain bulkheads. Each grain bulkhead can be given its own name and weight.

Grain bulkhead positions

The user can define all possible positions of the grain bulkheads here, both of movable bulkheads and static hold bulkheads. For each position, the following must be entered:

Position name: The name of the position.
Bulkhead type: Choice of static aft, static fore or movable. In the case of a fixed bulkhead, only 1 number (rear or front respectively) needs to be entered.
Aft: The rear of the position in metres.
Fore: The front of the position in metres.
Underside: The bottom of the position in metres.
Topside: The top of the position in metres.
Breadth: The breadth of the position in metres.
VCG: The VCG of the movable grain bulkhead above the base in this position.
LCG: The LCG of the movable grain bulkhead from the APP in this position.
TCG: The TCG of the moveable grain bulkhead from the CL in this position.

'Basis' grain holds

To define grain holds, they must be available as compartments in Layout. For the part, or parts of the hold that have a simple rectangular cubic cross-section, define a rectangular compartment (hold/metre) in Layout and select this compartment here, where you set the [variable] column to "Yes" and set the length to 1 metre. This compartment is then used for all rectangular cuboid parts of the hold, for which no other compartments are set. If the hold, or parts of it, is not rectangular cuboid, then this part of the hold must be defined separately in Layout. Add these compartments in this menu, and specify the aft and forward boundary of the positions between which this grain hold is to be used.

Variable: A variable compartment ("yes") is used between all defined positions of the grain hold, for which no other (non-rectangular cubic) hold is defined. It is then usual to define a compartment of the parallel part (hold/metre) with a length of 1 metre. The length of this defined compartment should be specified in the column [length] (typically 1 metre). A non-variable part of the hold is used between the positions specified.
Name: Here the user can select the relevant grain hold from the compartment list by name.
Length: If "Yes" is selected for variable, the length of the selected compartment should be specified here.
Bulkhd. name aft: Here the user can select the name of the respective grain bulkhead position from the list as defined under [Grain bulkhead positions] which selects the rear of the hold.
Bulkhd. name fore: Here the user can select the name of the relevant grain bulkhead position from the list as defined under [Grain bulkhead positions] which selects the front of the hold.
Pos. aft: This is automatically filled in after selecting a position in the column "blkh. Name aft".
Pos. fore: This is automatically filled in after selecting a position in the column "blkh. name fore".
Startrecord: This is the line number in the grain moments table, where the table of moments for this particular part of the grain hold begins. This is useful if you want to edit or view the grain moments table manually.
Contour points: A "0" means that no contour has been created. If a contour has been defined, the number of defined points is displayed here. You can click through on this column. You will then get an input menu, in which contour points can be defined. This contour is only used in the graphical interface to display the grain space in the side view.

Hold(s) excluded for loading of grain

It may happen that a part of the hold arises between two grain bulkhead positions where it is not desired to load grain with the graphical grain module. These parts can be specified here by specifying an aft and fore position.

Selection and definition of grain holds

Double-click to define void spaces and tables of grain holds defined in ['Basis' grain holds]. For details, refer to Selection and definition of grain holds

Note: You can import an existing graphical grain file (.gr4) by selecting [File]–>[Import existing grain data file (.gr4)].

Input of IMDG data

Transverse bulkheads: Double-click to enter (length) coordinates for transverse bulkheads.
Longitudinal bulkheads: Double-click to enter (breadth) coordinates for longitudinal bulkheads.
Decks: Double-click to enter (height) coordinates for decks.
DOC table: Double-click to fill in permissible substances per space. In order for a space to appear in this table, it has to be defined as a DOC space in Input of spaces then [Type of space].

Create data files

Cargoquip can generate the following files:

Create tanks window definition file

Create a .tkc file

Create container definition file

Create a .cas file

Create IMDG definition file

Create a .imdg file

Create general cargo definition file

Create a .sg2 file

Create general cargo window definition file

Create a .sgc file

Create panel definition file

Create a .hch file

Create RoRo cargo definition file

Create a .ro1 file

Create RoRo landing craft definition file

Create a .ro6 file

Create damage control definition file

Create a .dmg file

Create grain definition files

Create a graphical grain definition file (.gr4), grain moments table or edit grain moments table.

Create graphical grain definition file : create a .gr4 file.
Create grain moments table : if a .gr4 file exists, this will create a .gr2 file.
Edit grain moments table : Here you can edit the grain moments table. Changes are saved on exit.

It is highly advised to check these files for consistency.

File Management

Backups of all data can be made and restored here. For details, refer to Data storage and backups.