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ClassNK updates container stowing and lashing guidelines

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Containerships are getting larger. BBC cameras were there when the world's largest arrived in Felixstow with 17,700 boxes on board

JANUARY 8, 2015 — With containerships getting larger, various new securing systems have been developed to improve the efficiency of loading containers on board and it has become increasingly important to evaluate their adequacy.

In response, classification society ClassNK has released the second edition of its Guidelines for Container Stowage and Securing Arrangements.

ClassNK has developed stowage and securing arrangement strength evaluation methods that take into consideration ISO standards, the growing diversity of actual stowage and securing methods on container vessels and loads acting on containers due to ship motions.

The second edition of the guidelines includes amendments to evaluation methods to allow for the consideration of the effect of sea routes on stowage and securing.

For those vessels installed with lashing calculation programs capable of evaluating container lashing strength, a new class notation can be affixed. In addition, procedures related to affixing class notations for ships in compliance with the IMO regulations on providing safe working conditions for securing of containers on deck in CSS Code (Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing) Annex 14 have also been included in the updated guidelines. Although this is a non-mandatory code, a number of states have been requiring that container ships calling at their ports comply with the CSS Code, and the ClassNK guidelines now include an audit of ships to ascertain that they comply with the CSS Code Annex 14.

The Guidelines for Container Stowage and Securing Arrangements (Second Edition) is available for download on the ClassNK website for ClassNK “My Page” users. Registration for ClassNK’s “My Page” service is free.Go to ClassNK’s website at www.classnk.com and click on “My Page Login”.

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