Sequencing alternate blocks in ASC areas

When you plan stowage to or from an ASC area in the yard, you can use the XPS client to minimize congestion on any ASC block by dispersing ship plans across the ASC blocks. When you select the first container that is in or planned to an ASC block, XPS alternates blocks and fills blocks one after another. Although this behaviour applies to both loads and discharges, XPS does not arbitrarily alternate between blocks for discharges. This is because there are Expert Decking parameters that consider allocations, block fullness, distance, and other variables to minimize congestions in blocks.

In Debug mode, you can view the order of the selection using the Write Selection List to Notices option in the Debug menu. This list has a limit of 150. You use this feature by either selecting containers with a flow tool or by selecting Planning Alternate Rows and then selecting Debug Write Selection List to Notices.

To sequence alternating blocks in an ASC area:

1. Select some load list containers in ASC blocks.

2. Press Shift+Ctrl+S to select scan (and filter).

3. Deselect.

4. Take a stack-wise flow. Select through the scan across all sections. This selects the filtered containers from top down in each vertical stack.

5. From the Planning menu, select Alternate Rows.

This changes the order of the selected containers to take one from the first block, one from the second block, and so on, cycling around.

6. Plan/flow to the ship bay. XPS disperses ship plans across the ASC blocks and minimizes congestion on any ASC.