a method for stowage of cargo items . in a cargo container wherein spaces around the cargo items and within the cargo container are at least partly filled with spacer elements so as to substantially prevent movement of the cargo items in the cargo container , characterized in that dynamic forces on the cargo items associated with motion of the cargo container and / or weight forces on the cargo items are transmitted to the container structure through the spacer elements , and wherein at least one spacer element transmitting such forces comprises a shaped block of expanded plastics foam material , preferably polystyrene . the invention is applicable to comparatively heavy loads such as those transported in shipping containers and in such land vehicles as rail cars and road transport vehicles .