CARGO SECURING

Measures taken to secure cargo depend on :

dimensions and physical properties of cargo

location of cargo
suitability of the ship for the particular cargo
suitability of securing arrangements available
expected weather and sea conditions
expected ship behaviour during the voyage
stability of the ship
area of operation
duration of the voyage

Ships motion :

Rotational :

Roll
Pitch
Yaw

Linear :

Sway
Surge
Heave

Container securing arrangements should resist the following container movements

jumping
sliding
toppling
racking

Buttress systems buttress towers are permanently fixed to the deck at the fore and
aft ends of each hatch. Removable stacking frames fit into each of the buttresses.
After a tier of containers has been loaded, the stacking frame is placed on top and the
next tier is loaded on top of the stacking frame.

Lock / stack / lash systems twistlocks, rods etc.

Rod lashings :
stiffer than wires or chains
can often be applied directly from deck without climbing on stacks
can be used on the lower corner castings of top tier containers
they require less maintenance and last longer
If only twistlocks are used to secure containers :

a two high stack can consist of near maximum weight containers

a three high stack light to medium
a four high stack empty or nearly empty

Bracing is the process of using timbers to secure cargo by running the

brace horizontally from a support to the cargo

Tomming is the process of using timbers to secure cargo by running the

timber from an upper support down to the cargo either vertically or at
an angle

Shoring is the process of using timbers to secure cargo by running the

shores from a low supporting level up to the cargo at an angle

Deck cargo the sum of the minimum breaking loads of all the lashings should
not be less than three times the static weight of the item of cargo to be secured.

Lashings holding cargo vertically downwards on deck = weight x 3

Lashings preventing port/starboard movement = weight x 3 x 0.7

Lashings preventing fore/aft movement = weight x 3 x 0.3

Lashings to prevent sliding should not make an angle greater than

25 to the horizontal

Lashings to prevent tipping should not be lower than 45 to 60 to the

horizontal

Ships other than cellular container ships which carry cargo units and
other entities should be provided with a cargo securing manual
containing :

1. details of fixed cargo securing arrangements and their

locations
2. location and stowage of portable cargo securing gear
3. details of portable securing gear including an inventory of
items provided and their strength
4. correct application of portable securing gear on various cargo
units, vehicles and other entities carried on board the ship
5. indication of the magnitude of forces expected to act on cargo
units in various positions on board the ship