Container ships are a vital link in global trade, as they carry most of the world’s manufactured goods and products. However, ensuring the safe transport of this cargo type comes with its own set of challenges – especially when it comes to stowing and securing containers on board vessels.
Given the surge in cargo volumes and increasing concerns over containers lost at sea, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has adopted two new Unified Requirements, UR C6 and UR C7, as a proactive step towards safer and more secure container ship operations.
UR C6 and C7 set new standards for container stowage and securing practices.
Lashing software serves as a critical tool in optimising cargo securing arrangements, mitigating the risk of shifting and potential loss of containers during transit. UR C6 therefore details the functional requirements the lashing software is to comply with, together with the requirements of the test loading conditions used to approve and survey the software as well as the approval and survey procedures for the software. By adopting uniform standards, IACS aims to enhance consistency and reliability in the implementation of lashing software, thereby promoting safer shipping practices by providing vessels with advanced tools to optimize cargo-securing arrangements.
Ensuring the proper securing of cargo is paramount not only for the safety of the vessel but also for the protection of the cargo and the personnel onboard. This requires properly accounting for the strength of the container securing systems used onboard the vessel. Therefore, in conjunction with UR C6, IACS has also developed and adopted UR C7, ‘Approval and Certification of Container Securing Systems’, which mandates minimum requirements for the approval and certification of container securing systems for container ships. UR C7 defines a comprehensive scope of approval and/or certification for container securing systems, encompassing fixed and portable container securing fittings, arrangement plans, drawings of container supporting structures, and cargo safe access plans.
The Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) calls on its members to embrace these advanced safety protocols, continuing the collective journey toward a safer, more reliable shipping industry.
For more info, read the IACS announcement here.
