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shattered a corner post of the next adjacent container creating a domino collapse of other units. A single block of granite lacking securing arrangements within the lower tier of a below decks stack, broke through the container’s side panel and fell corner down piercing the double-bottom fuel oil tank


below. The consequential fuel oil flooding of the hold and lower level damage to base containers was a costly business. As has been said elsewhere: Only the foolhardy believe that a heavy cargo unit’s inertia, alone, will restrain its movement during a sea voyage!


Of the casualties investigated it is often the case that horizontal spaces – that is fore-and-aft and longitudinally – are more-or-less adequately chocked, but the vertical component is entirely neglected. When a ship is pitching and scending in a seaway, vertical acceleration and deceleration forces acting on cargo components can attain values of 2g. That is, as it goes up and comes down the load upon the securing arrangements will be equal to twice the static weight of the cargo item. If there is no arrangement to hold down the cargo securely to the container’s floor the cargo will lift, and once it lifts it will start to shift, and once it starts to shift it will go on shifting!


Where relatively lightweight cartons or good timber cases can be afforded tight block stowage, there will be little need for additional securing arrangements. However, where lightweight cartons with frail contents, or plastic jars, bottles and barrels, are to be stowed to the full internal height it may be necessary to provide a mid-height flooring so that the lowermost items do not suffer damaging compression and collapse. (Figs. B & C).


Where bags, cartons or cases do not occupy the full internal space, then chocking and bracing with timbers and/or air bags is necessary. (Fig.D).


And where heavy items are involved, securing with downward-leading wire lashings and/or strapping to ‘D’


Fig. C Fig. B


Fig. F


Fig. G


Fig. H Fig. E


Source: ScanDutch


rings attached to the upper parts of the floor bearers will be required.


So it is important that the correct form of container is used, because not all have provision for mid-height flooring to be fitted, and not all are provided with ‘D’ rings.


Steel coils, steel pipes and bars, and heavy machinery items should be shipped on specially designed ‘flat racks’, ‘flats’ or ‘sledges’. (Fig. E).


These units are strengthened for such loads, and adequate securing terminal points are provided. (Figs. F, G & H, for instance.)


Fig. D


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