5.3 Demonstrate the use of container lashing gear.

A ship sailing in a seaway has six degrees of motion: surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch and yaw. The ship
itself bends and twists as waves pass. Hatch covers move relative to the hatch openings and container
stacks move as clearances in the lashing equipment are taken up. It is the lashing system alone that resists
these movements and attempts to keep the containers on board. Lashing systems are put to the test during
bad weather when failure may lead to container loss. Indeed, the growing number of containers lost
overboard has caused concern throughout the marine industry. Cargo claims have increased and floating
containers pose a hazard to navigation. Masters need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of
container securing systems. It is essential that masters be aware of what can be done to prevent container
loss. Ships need to be fit to receive containers, with their lashing equipment in good order. Lashing areas
need to be safe places for ships’ crews and stevedores to work.
Container ship Cargo Securing Devices - How to Use Appropriate Lashing Gear
A ship sailing in a seaway has six degrees of motion: surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch and yaw. The ship
itself bends and twists as waves pass. Hatch covers move relative to the hatch openings, and container
stacks move as clearances in the lashing equipment are taken up. It is the lashing system alone that resists
these movements and attempts to keep the containers on board.
Lashing systems are put to the test during bad weather when failure may lead to container loss. Indeed,
the growing number of containers lost overboard has caused concern throughout the marine industry.
Cargo claims have increased, and floating containers pose a hazard to navigation. Masters need to
understand the strengths and weaknesses of container securing systems. Masters must be aware of what
can be done to prevent container loss.
Ships need to be fit to receive containers, with their lashing equipment in good order. Lashing areas need
to be safe places for ships' crews and stevedores to work.

Motions on a seaway

Working with containers

The decks, hatch covers, lashing bridges and holds of a container ship can be hazardous places to work.
To avoid accidental injury, exercise care and follow these rules:
 when working on deck, always wear high visibility clothing, safety shoes and a hard hat
 always install temporary fencing and safety bars before starting cargo operations
 never allow fittings to be thrown onto the ship’s deck from a height
 check that sliding sockets and stacking cones are removed from hatch covers before opening
 when working in the vicinity of moving containers, never work with your back towards a
container or stand where a swinging container could strike you
 never stand or walk under a raised container
 never place your hand or clothing under a container that is being lowered
 when working on the top or side of a container, use safe access equipment and never
climb containers
 if working from a portable ladder make sure the ladder is properly secured, has non-slip
 feet so that metal-to-metal contact is avoided. Wear a safety harness, a hard hat and
high visibility clothing. Attach the line from the harness to a secure point and arrange for
a member of the ship’s crew to stand-by to assist
 take care climbing onto a lashing bridge. There could be loose items of equipment that
 can fall or the safety bar could be across the opening
 tidy loose equipment that is lying on decks, hatch covers, lashing bridges and coamings.
 These are trip hazards
 never climb up a stack of containers. Use an access cradle
 take care when fixing penguin hooks or lashing rods, as these can slip and strike someone
 avoid excessive stretching, bending or leaning when placing lashing rods. Their weight
can be deceptive
 close access gratings after passing through. They are there to protect you
LOOSE EQUIPMENT
Lashing equipment removable such as twistlocks, cones, stackers, bridge fittings, lashing bars,
turnbuckles, base fittings, penguin hook and extension hook. Loose equipment is used in combination
with fixed equipment for container and cargo securing
There are actuator poles, for unlashing of semiautomatic and manual twist locks,

INTERMEDIATE STACKING CONE

Single stacking cone, intermediate type.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC TWISTLOCK
Semiautomatic twist lock for intermediate container securing. Resists horizontal and separation forces.
Can be fitted on shore. Automatically locks in the lower container when placed on top. Unlocked
manually or with an actuator pole.

MIDLOCK
Midlock, to be placed between containers in a stack. Used together with semiautomatic twistlocks on
deck between 20-foot containers in 40-foot bays, at mid-bay position Resists horizontal and separation
forces. Fitted to underside of container on shore and automatically locks into lower container when
placed on board.
MANUAL TWISTLOCK
Standard intermediate twistlock to be used between containers. Resists horizontal and separation forces.
Each fittings requires locking after fitting. Left and right locking available. Do not mix left and right
locking types in a vessel to avoid confusion as to if open or locked.

SEMIAUTOMATIC TWISTLOCK DOUBLE WIRE

Semi-automatic twist lock: double wire type. Used for intermediate securing of containers in a semi-
automatic mode in which the twist locks mechanism closes actioned by the weight of the top container.
The two wires system serves to open either the bottom or the top cone, depending on the necessity.

LASHING BARS AND TURNBUCKLES

Diagonal lashing bar used in conjunction with a turnbuckle. Provides support for container stacks on
deck. Resists tensile loads. Secured in the front holes of the corner castings. Different lengths available.
The turnbuckle is used to tighten multistep lashing rod to a lashing plate or D ring (resists tension loads).
There are also Extension rod, to extend a lashing rod when securing “high cube” containers. To be fitted
at the base of a lashing rod and connected to the turnbuckle.
LASHING BAR
Diagonal lashing bar used in conjunction with a turnbuckle. Provides support for container stacks on
deck. Resists tensile loads. Secured in the front holes of the corner castings. Different lengths available.
TURNBUCKLE
Turnbuckle for lashing bar to connect and tighten multistep lashing rod to a lashing plate or D ring.
Resists tension loads.

EXTENSION ROD
Extension rod, to extend a lashing rod when securing “high cube” containers. To be fitted at the base of a
lashing rod and connected to the turnbuckle.

BRIDGE FITTING
Bridge fitting, to link together the top containers of two adjacent stacks. Can be used on deck or in a hold.
Resists tensile and compressive forces. They can be used with container with different separation, and are
tightened by means of the nut in the middle

INTERMEDIATE FITTINGS IN HOLDS

Self-hanging stacker for securing of containers in holds, most frequently used in cell guides and on shore
in container terminals, they can be with flange or flangeless. They are manufactured from ductile iron and
have a breaking load of 42t
SELF HANGING STACKER
Self-hanging stacker for securing of containers in holds and on shore, with flange.

SELF HANGING STACKER

CONTAINER CORNER CASTING
Container corner casting according ISO 1161, all types available. All standard ISO containers worldwide
have a set of 8 container castings, one at each corners. Each set consists of bottom left, bottom right, top
left and top right pieces, two of each type. The corners are identical except for the difference in the front
hole in the top ones, which has a particular form designed so that the lashing bars’ heads are correctly
fitted into it. The breaking load of the corners is 50t and they are made of weld able Steel.

FIXED EQUIPMENT
Lashing equipment welded to the ship’s deck, such as raised deck sockets, dovetail sockets, flush sockets, elephant
foot sockets, lashing plates or D – rings, and other. Used with different types of twistlocks as counterparts to secure
containers, vehicles and other cargo.

RAISED DECK SOCKET

FLUSH SOCKET WITH ISO HOLE

FLUSH SOCKET WITH ISO HOLE AND EL. FOOT

DOVETAIL SOCKETS

LASHING PLATES
Lashing gears- fixed fitting
Lashing gears- loose fitting
Lashing gears- loose fitting-twistlock & midlock

ISO Container Sizes

Containers are standardized cargo units. They are manufactured in a large variety of sizes and types, each
designed to meet specific cargo and transportation requirements. Their length is usually 20 or 40 feet,
although longer containers are used, principally in the US trade; these containers are 45, 48, and 53 feet
long. Their width is always 8 feet, although their height can vary. The term High cube container usually
refers to a standard-sized container with a height of 9 feet 6 inches. Container heights can be 8 feet, 8 feet
6 inches, 9 feet 6 inches, or 10 feet 6 inches. Containers are referred to by the acronym TEUs – 20 foot
equivalent units, or 40 foot equivalent units (FEUs).

High Cube Container

20' container 40' container

Important Points for Safe Container
The estimated value of the world’s sea-borne trade for container shipping industry is about 52 %, which
is highest among all other types of trading means. Container or liner trade is one of the fastest and easiest
modes of transporting cargo. With increase in size and technology in the shipping industry, the container
ship is now able to carry more than 15000 containers, with around 8 or more containers stacks lashed
together to form of long series.

However, container lashing, the process of securing containers together on board ship, is one of the
greatest areas of risks in the marine cargo handling sector.

What is Container Lashing?

When a container is loaded over ships, it is secured to the ship’s structure and to the container placed
below it by means of lashing rods, turnbuckles, twist-locks etc. This prevents the containers from to move
from their places or fall off in to the sea during rough weather or heavy winds.

Who Does the Container Lashing?

Normally Stevedores are responsible for lashing and de-lashing jobs in port. However, due to less port
stay and constraint of time, deck crew is also responsible for this operation.

Before arrival of the port, ship’s crew normally de-lashes the container so that time can be saved in the
port and the containers can be discharged immediately after berthing.

The container Lashing is regularly checked by the ship’s crew so as to avoid any type of accidents due to
improper lashing.

Important points to be noted for safe lashing and de-lashing operation

 Wear all the required Personal protective equipments (PPE) such as reflective vest, steel toe shoes, hard
helmet, gloves etc.

 Stretch and warm up your muscles prior to working as it is a strenuous physical job.

 Try using back support belt and always use your knee to lift.

 Be cautious while walking around the ship as the ship structure can be a tripping hazard.

 Be careful from slip, trip and fall while boarding or leaving ship from gangway with carrying loads like rod,
clits etc.

 Do not walk under suspended load i.e. gantry, hanging container etc.

 Work platform, railings, steps, and catwalks must be inspected prior to the starting of operations.

 All manhole covers or booby hatches to be closed while lashing.

 Be careful while walking over the rods and twist locks while working. Always keep the lashing equipments
in their assigned place or side of the walking path.
  Understand the plan and order of lashing and unlashing.

 The reefer containers require extra attention and coordination for plugging and unplugging when loading or
unloading is carried out.

 Beware of trip hazard due to reefer container power cord.

 Do not touch any electrical equipment or power chord until it is instructed that it is safe to work on.

 All the lashing and other materials must be removed and secured from the top of the hatch cover prior to the
removal of the same.

 Be careful of fall hazard when lashing outside container on the hatch cover or pedestal.

 Fall arrester or safety harness must be used by workers when operating aloft.

 Always be at a safe distance from co-workers during lashing or unlashing containers as the long rods can be
hazardous if not handled properly.

 It is a normal practice not to lash or unlash any closer than at least 3 containers widths away from other co-
worker.

 Always work in pair when handling rods and turnbuckles.

 Always walk the bars up, slide them down and control the rods at all time.

 Do not leave or throw the rod or other equipment until you are sure that it is safe to do so and no one is
around the vicinity.

 Do not loose a turnbuckle and leave the rods hanging. When securing a rod, turnbuckle must be tightened
right away.

 Always report defective lashing gear, defective ship’s railing, or any other inadequate structure or system
involved in the operation to the concerned person or ship’s staff.

Several container lashing incidents have taken lives of seafarers in the past. Handing cargo containers is
not an easy job and needs adequate safe practices to carry it out safely and adequately.
16 Types of Container Units and Designs for
Shipping Cargo
Container units form the most integral part of the entire shipping industry, trade, and transport. These shipping
containers are the structures that store various kinds of products that need to be shipped from one part of the world
to another using different types of container ships. Moving containers protect contents on the long journeys they
make and ensure they make it back to you in one piece.
As such, depending on the type of products to be shipped or the special services needed from them, container units
may vary in dimension, structure, materials, construction etc. various types of shipping containers are being used
today to meet requirements of all kinds of cargo shipping. Some of the most common types of shipping
containers in use today are mentioned below.

1. Dry storage container

The most commonly used shipping containers; they come in various dimensions standardized by ISO. They are
used for shipping of dry materials and come in size of 20ft, 40 ft and 10ft.

2. Flat rack container

With collapsible sides, these are like simple storage shipping containers where the sides can be folded so as to
make a flat rack for shipping of wide variety of goods.

3. Open top container :-With a convertible top that can be completely removed to make an open top so that
materials of any height can be shipped easily.
4. Tunnel container
Container storage units provided with doors on both ends of the container, they are extremely helpful in quick
loading and unloading of materials.

5. Open side storage container

These storage units are provided with doors that can change into completely open sides providing a much
wider room for loading of materials.

6. Double doors container

They are kind of storage units that are provided with double doors, making a wider room for loading and
unloading of materials. Construction materials include steel, iron etc in standardized sizes of 20ft and 40ft.

7. Refrigerated ISO containers

These are temperature regulated shipping containers that always have a carefully controlled low temperature. They
are exclusively used for shipment of perishable substances like fruits and vegetables over long distances.
8. Insulated or thermal containers
These are the shipping storage containers that come with a regulated temperature control allowing them to maintain
a higher temperature.
The choice of material is so done to allow them long life without being damaged by constant exposure to high
temperature. They are most suitable for long distance transportation of products.

9. Tanks
Container storage units used mostly for transportation of liquid materials, they are used by a huge proportion of
entire shipping industry. They are mostly made of strong steel or other anti-corrosive materials providing them
with long life and protection to the materials.

10. Cargo storage roll container

A foldable container, this is one of the specialized container units made for purpose of transporting sets or stacks of
materials. They are made of thick and strong wire mesh along with rollers that allows their easy movement.
Availability in a range of colored wire meshes make these shipping container units a little more cheerful.

11. Half height containers

Another kind of shipping containers includes half height containers. Made mostly of steel, these containers are half
the height of full sized containers. Used especially for good like coal, stones etc which need easy loading and
unloading.
12. Car carriers
Car carriers are container storage units made especially for shipment of cars over long distances. They come with
collapsible sides that help a car fit snugly inside the containers without the risk of being damaged or moving from
the spot.

13. Intermediate bulk shift containers

These are specialized storage shipping containers made solely for the purpose of intermediate shipping of goods.
They are designed to handle large amounts of materials and made for the purpose of shipping materials to a
destination where they can be further packed and sent off to final spot.

14. Drums
As the name suggests, circular shipping containers, made from a choice of materials like steel, light weight metals,
fiber, hard plastic etc. they are most suitable for bulk transport of liquid materials. They are smaller in size but due
to their shape, may need extra space.

15. Special purpose containers

Not the ordinary containers, these are the container units, custom made for specialized purposes. Mostly, they are
used for high profile services like shipment of weapons and arson. As such, their construction and material
composition depends on the special purpose they need to cater to. But in most cases, security remains the top
priority.
16. Swap bodies
They are a special kind of containers used mostly in Europe. Not made according to the ISO standards, they are not
standardized shipping container units but extremely useful all the same. They are provided with a strong bottom
and a convertible top making them suitable for shipping of many types of products.