DNV has introduced a significant upgrade to its Steel Load Planner, rolling out artificial intelligence–driven optimisation capabilities that can generate a fully assessed steel coil loading plan in less than five minutes.
The classification society unveiled version 2.0 of the application during Posidonia this week, marking a key expansion of the tool’s scope beyond bulk carriers for the first time. The updated system now brings automated steel coil planning to both general cargo and multipurpose vessels, reflecting growing demand for efficiency gains across wider segments of the fleet.
The launch comes at a time when shipowners are under increasing pressure to maximise cargo intake from existing tonnage, as vessel supply remains tight, newbuilding availability is limited, and regulatory costs linked to emissions compliance continue to rise.
Steel coils, in particular, remain one of the most complex cargo types in maritime transport due to variations in weight, dimensions and stowage behaviour, all of which must be carefully balanced against vessel structural limits.
DNV said the upgraded system automates processes that have traditionally relied on manual calculations and highly experienced planners. Users simply input vessel specifications and cargo dimensions, after which the software evaluates structural strength zones, optimises dunnage placement and determines the most efficient cargo distribution.
The result is a complete loading plan accompanied by an integrated structural assessment, significantly reducing planning time while maintaining compliance standards.
According to Morten Løvstad, vice president and global business director for bulk carriers at DNV Maritime, the development was heavily shaped by operational feedback from more than 100 vessels using the original version.
“When we launched Steel Load Planner, we had great feedback, but the real test would be how it performed for our customers,” Løvstad explained. “The main request was whether we could unlock more vessel capacity while maintaining the highest safety standards. SLP V2.0 does this, enabling owners to carry more cargo while staying inside structural compliance limits.”
The original version, launched in 2023, previously received industry recognition by winning the IT Solution award at the International Bulk Journal Awards, establishing its position as a leading digital planning tool.
The latest release also reflects a broader shift across the shipping industry, where digitalisation and artificial intelligence are increasingly being used to improve vessel utilisation and reduce operational inefficiencies.
Norwegian shipowner Belships, which operates a fleet of 39 geared ultramax bulk carriers, participated in testing the upgraded system. The company highlighted the speed of generating loading plans as a major advantage, alongside the ability to maintain 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 into a single-page dashboard, allowing planners to view cargo distribution, coil positioning, shipment weight and centres of gravity for direct loading computer input.
The system supports mixed coil stowage and non-standard tier arrangements, while also enabling more efficient use of available hold space.
Additional functions include the ability to account for reduced dynamic accelerations on shorter voyages in calmer sea conditions, as well as recognising documented coating and corrosion conditions. In some cases, this allows operators to utilise up to 50% of a vessel’s corrosion allowance.
Overall, the upgrade highlights the increasing role of digital tools in cargo planning as shipowners seek ways to improve earnings without expanding fleet size.
For operators carrying steel products—where even marginal increases in payload efficiency can materially impact voyage economics—DNV is positioning the tool as a way to combine speed, safety and optimisation at a time when market pressures are intensifying.
