The part of the ship that contains cargo holds, cargo tanks, slop tanks and cargo pump-rooms including pump rooms, cofferdams, ballast and void spaces adjacent to cargo tanks and also deck area throughout the entire length and breadth of the part of the ship over the above-mentioned spaces, (SOLAS).
Where independent tanks are installed in hold spaces, cofferdams, ballast or void spaces at the after end of the aftermost hold space or at the forward end of the forward most hold space are excluded from the cargo area.