Safer container securing and stowage software
Lloyds Register (LR) has developed and released new container-securing rules and software to provide a robust framework for safer, more effective modern ship designs. The new rules and supporting software, which were developed after detailed consultation with major container-shipping lines and manufacturers of lashing equipment, come as the container-shipping market shows early signs of emerging from a prolonged slowdown.
These rules are the culmination of a great deal of detailed work with operators, builders, designers and port operators, said David Tozer, LRs global business manager for container ships. Safety, as always, comes first. But ensuring flexibility in loading and discharging operations is vital for operators. So these new rules were created to combine safety and flexibility, allowing more sophisticated and varied container stows to save time and expense in port.
Despite the slowdown in demand growth during the past two years, container shipping continues to be a fast growing segment of world shipping, closely linked to the global economy. If world trade grows, so will the box trades. Helping to ensure continued improvements in safety and protecting cargo is a paramount concern for members of the Lloyds Register Group as the industry faces the next wave of container ship ordering, said Tozer.
The rules and software follow last years release of LRs guidance on ergonomic container lashing (ECL), supported by the ECL notation.
Tozer described the main benefits in providing the new container securing rules as:
a reduced risk of losing containers overboard, with associated environmental risks and cost
a reduced risk of loss of life or serious injury to stevedores and crew engaged in container lashing
more effective lashing techniques for new, much larger, container ships
increased potential for innovative and flexible lashing designs and arrangements
increased flexibility in the allowable weight of containers in certain configurations
LRs LashRight software is the groups new dedicated container-securing software. It calculates the forces acting in lashed and unlashed stacks on deck and validates the results against the requirements contained in Part 3 of LRs rules and regulations for the classification of ships. LashRight quickly identifies areas which have failed the assessment, helping designers to make the required changes to container arrangement, weight distribution or lashing equipment. This helps to ensure compliance with requirements and reduces the risk of containers being damaged or lost overboard.
Key features:
step-by-step wizards help designers to carry out analyses quickly and efficiently
calculations are performed in real time; changes are accommodated as they are made
results are calculated for pitching, rolling and combined conditions, in accordance with the rules or user requirements
covers industry standard containers and lashing equipment, or users can add custom specifications to the softwares library.
Source: Lloyds Register
