156. You are preparing to load a heavy cargo with abnormal physical dimensions onboard your vessel. Which of the following is of primary importance when planning the load?

Maintaining adequate vessel stability throughout the voyage is the primary concern when loading heavy cargo with abnormal dimensions. This is due to the potential for increased center of gravity and reduced metacentric height, which can lead to list, excessive heel, or capsizing. Stability must be prioritized over stowage efficiency, paperwork, or stacking considerations to ensure the safety of the vessel, cargo, and crew.