Splash247: DNV rolls out AI-powered steel coil loading planner upgrade

Published by Splash247

DNV has unveiled a major upgrade to its Steel Load Planner, introducing AI-driven loading optimisation that can generate a fully assessed steel coil loading plan in less than five minutes.

The classification society launched version 2.0 of the application during Posidonia this week, expanding the tool beyond bulk carriers for the first time and bringing automated steel coil planning to general cargo and multipurpose vessels.

The move comes as owners face mounting pressure to maximise cargo intake from existing ships amid tight vessel supply, limited newbuilding availability and rising regulatory costs linked to emissions compliance.

Steel coils remain one of shipping’s most challenging cargoes to handle, with planners needing to account for significant differences in weight, dimensions and stowage behaviour while ensuring vessels remain within structural limits.

DNV said the new version automates work that has traditionally depended on manual calculations and specialist experience. Users simply enter vessel details and cargo dimensions, with the software identifying stronger and weaker structural areas before optimising dunnage arrangements and cargo placement.

The system then produces a complete loading plan together with a structural assessment.

Morten Løvstad, DNV Maritime’s vice president and global business director for bulk carriers, said operational feedback from more than 100 vessels using the original application shaped the latest release.

“When we launched Steel Load Planner, we had great feedback, but the real test would be how it performed for our customers,” Løvstad said.

“The main request was, can we unlock more vessel capacity, while continuing to maintain the highest safety standards. SLP V2.0 does this, enabling owners to carry more cargo while staying inside structural compliance limits.”

The original Steel Load Planner was launched in 2023 and went on to win the IT Solution award at the International Bulk Journal Awards.

The latest version reflects a broader trend across shipping as owners increasingly turn to digital tools and artificial intelligence to improve vessel utilisation and reduce operational inefficiencies.

Norwegian owner Belships, which operates a fleet of 39 geared ultramax bulkers, participated in testing the upgraded system across its fleet.

The company said one of the key benefits was the speed at which loading plans could be developed while maintaining confidence in structural compliance.

“Having the structural assessment built in means decisions can now be made on the spot, with confidence and the documentation to support them,” Belships said.

DNV has also redesigned the reporting interface around a single-page dashboard, giving planners an overview of cargo distribution, coil placement, shipment weight and centres of gravity for loading computer input.

The application supports mixed coil stowage and non-standard tier arrangements while making fuller use of available hold space.

Additional features include the ability to account for reduced dynamic accelerations on shorter voyages in calmer seas and recognition of documented coating and corrosion conditions, allowing operators in some cases to utilise up to 50% of the vessel’s corrosion allowance.

The latest release underscores the growing role of digitalisation in cargo planning as shipowners seek practical ways to improve earnings without adding tonnage.

For owners carrying steel products, where every extra tonne can improve voyage economics, DNV is betting that faster planning, better hold utilisation and built-in structural verification will prove increasingly valuable as market conditions tighten.