The Baltic is Europe's timber store. Sawn timber, pulp and pellets move from Finland, Sweden and the Baltic states to North-West Europe and the Mediterranean – a segment where cargo frequently goes above the hatch covers onto the deck, and therefore brings its own rules.
Typical cargoes
- Sawn timber, logs and planed goods
- Wood pellets and chips
- Pulp, paper and board in reels
- Panel products and plywood
What matters
- Deck cargo under the Timber Deck Cargo Code: stability calculation, securing and the winter icing allowance belong in the planning.
- Moisture is the main enemy – ventilation, covering and a realistic weather window decide the condition on arrival.
- Pulp and paper reels are pressure-sensitive: the stowage plan and dunnage determine how damage develops.
- Plan Baltic load ports with their ice window and draft limits well ahead.
Timber forgives poor planning less readily than bulk: what rides on deck is exposed to weather and sea directly – here the route is chosen together with the season, not after it.
Frequently asked
What has to be considered when carrying timber as deck cargo?
Deck cargo falls under the Timber Deck Cargo Code. In practice that means a stability calculation allowing for water absorption and, in winter, for icing; securing arrangements that hold; and sight lines and accesses that stay clear. We settle these points with the owner before the cargo is booked.
When is the Baltic critical for timber shipments?
In winter. Ice conditions can restrict load ports in the northern Baltic and the Gulf of Bothnia, while at the same time the icing allowance in the stability calculation rises for deck cargo. Both affect availability and rate – which is why we plan winter business with a wider time buffer.
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