Steel pipes and line pipe for oil, gas, water and construction ship on general cargo vessels, MPPs and barges. Common lengths are about 6 or 12 m, with diameters from a few inches to over a metre. Line pipe is often coated with FBE, 3LPE or concrete weight coating that must be protected from impact and abrasion.
Pipes are stowed fore-and-aft on lines of dunnage, in layers with each pipe seated in the hollow between two pipes below. Stack height limits depend on diameter, wall thickness and coating, following the owner’s specification and industry guidance such as API RP 5LW for transporting line pipe on barges and marine vessels.
To save space, smaller pipes can be nested inside larger ones (telescoping). This lowers the stowage factor but adds work at the discharge port and requires an accurate nesting list and securing of the inner pipes.
Cargo characteristics
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Diameter ~2–60 inches; common lengths ~6 m or ~12 m |
| Coating | Bare, FBE, 3LPE/3LPP or concrete weight coating |
| Weight per joint | Hundreds of kg to > ~10 t for large concrete-coated pipe |
| Stowage factor | Varies widely; large thin-wall pipe is hollow so SF is high, nesting reduces it |
| Stack limit | From the owner’s specification and guidance such as API RP 5LW; prevents ovality and coating damage |
| Pipe ends | Bevels protected with end caps or bevel protectors |
Stowage & securing principles
Fore-and-aft on dunnage
Pipes are stowed along the ship’s length on evenly spaced lines of dunnage so they do not sag and the load spreads into the tank top or deck.
Layers and hollows
Each layer sits in the hollows of the layer below. Outer pipes of the bottom layer are held by wedges or chocks so the stack cannot spread.
Stack height limits
The number of layers stays within the limit for that diameter, wall thickness and coating. Coated pipe uses rubber-faced dunnage or soft separators.
Nesting
Small pipes inside large ones are chocked so they cannot move and are recorded per joint. The combined weight is used for loads and lift plans.
Securing on deck and barges
On deck or barges, stacks are held by side stanchions and lashed athwartships. Coated pipe gets webbing or protectors under chains.
Longitudinal stops
Pitching pushes pipes toward bow or stern. End stops or timber bulkheads at the stack ends stop pipes sliding.
Pre-loading checks
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Pipe list: OD, wall thickness, length, weight, coating
Why it matters: Sets stack limits, loads and protection needs.
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Stack height limit from the specification
Why it matters: Over-stacking causes ovality that gets pipes rejected.
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Dunnage, separators and wedges suited to the coating
Why it matters: Hard or nailed dunnage damages the coating.
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Nesting list per joint
Why it matters: The discharge port needs to know which pipe is inside which.
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End caps and bevel protectors fitted
Why it matters: Damaged bevels must be re-cut in the field.
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Stanchions, lashings and end stops for deck or barge
Why it matters: Stacks on open decks are the most prone to shifting.
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Discharge order per project or spread
Why it matters: Pipes for the first site must be liftable without breaking down other stacks.
Common risks
- Bottom pipes going oval because the stack exceeded its limit.
- Coating damaged by chains in direct contact or unsuitable dunnage.
- Pipes sliding fore-and-aft in pitching because there were no end stops.
- Nested pipes moving inside larger ones and damaging the internal coating.
- Stacks on barges spreading because stanchions were too weak.
- Seawater entering open pipes on deck, adding weight and corrosion.
Frequently asked questions
Why are pipes stowed fore-and-aft?
Pipes along the ship’s length can only roll athwartships, which wedges and the stack sides resist. Pipes stowed athwartships would roll fore-and-aft when pitching and are hard to hold.
Is nesting always worthwhile?
Nesting saves volume but adds stuffing and unstuffing time, needs internal chocking and risks internal coating damage. The decision is made with the cargo owner, weighing space cost against handling cost.
Are pipe load calculations in STOWAGE.ID official?
No. Deck load, stowage factor and stability checks are shore-side planning. The Cargo Securing Manual, the class-approved onboard loading computer and the stability booklet remain the official reference.
General guidance for education. Follow the vessel’s Cargo Securing Manual, the shipper’s instructions and the surveyor’s directions.
Shore-side planning & decision support. The class-approved onboard loading computer remains the official reference.