Cargo Securing Program for Cargo Ships Course

Lesson 1 • Regulatory Framework Overview

Introduces international and flag-state requirements for cargo securing on cargo ships. Connects compliance obligations to practical securing decisions made onboard.

Lesson 2 • Physics of Cargo Movement at Sea

Covers forces acting on cargo during ship motion, including gravity, inertia, and friction. Provides the mechanical foundation for understanding why securing is necessary.

Lesson 3 • Types of Cargo and Risk Profiles

Categorises general, bulk, and unitised cargo by their securing risk characteristics. Builds awareness of how cargo type drives securing strategy selection.

Lesson 1 • Safe Handling of Securing Equipment

Addresses ergonomic and safety practices when deploying heavy lashing gear on deck. Reduces injury risk whilst maintaining efficiency during cargo operations.

Lesson 2 • Anti-Slip and Dunnage Materials

Examines friction-enhancing materials, dunnage, and void fillers that supplement mechanical lashings. Connects material selection to friction coefficient values used in securing calculations.

Lesson 3 • Equipment Inspection and Certification

Defines inspection intervals, rejection criteria, and certification requirements for securing equipment. Ensures students can remove defective equipment from service before it causes cargo loss.

Lesson 4 • Fittings, Anchors, and Deck Hardware

Covers lashing rings, pad eyes, stanchions, and container fittings used as anchor points. Students learn rated capacities and correct attachment methods for each fitting type.

Lesson 1 • Stowage Documentation and Communication

Covers the preparation and distribution of stowage plans, bay plans, and cargo manifests. Ensures all stakeholders receive accurate information before and during cargo operations.

Lesson 2 • Loading Sequences and Trim Control

Defines safe loading sequences that maintain acceptable trim and stability throughout cargo operations. Prevents dangerous conditions that arise when heavy cargo is loaded without sequence planning.

Lesson 3 • Stowage Planning Principles

Covers weight distribution, cargo compatibility, and access requirements in stowage planning. Establishes how poor stowage decisions create securing problems that cannot be corrected by lashings alone.

Lesson 4 • Interaction Between Stowage and Securing

Analyses how stowage position affects the magnitude of securing forces required. Students learn to optimise stowage location to reduce lashing requirements and improve safety.

Lesson 1 • Force Calculation Principles

Introduces the balance-of-forces method for determining longitudinal, transverse, and vertical securing requirements. Establishes the calculation logic applied throughout the chapter.

Lesson 2 • Calculating Required Number of Lashings

Guides students through step-by-step determination of the minimum lashing count for a given cargo unit. Integrates force values, equipment ratings, and angle factors into a complete calculation.

Lesson 3 • Lashing Angle and Geometry

Explains how lashing angle affects the effective securing contribution of each lashing. Students apply trigonometric factors to adjust calculated securing capacity.

Lesson 1 • Securing Bagged and Bulk-in-Bag Cargo

Covers stowage and securing of bagged commodities prone to shifting, including grain bags and fertiliser sacks. Addresses bag breakage risks and their effect on cargo stability.

Lesson 2 • Securing Palletised and Crated Cargo

Details lashing patterns, dunnage placement, and friction use for pallets and wooden crates. Addresses structural limitations of packaging that affect lashing point selection.

Lesson 3 • Securing Steel Products and Coils

Covers the unique securing challenges of steel coils, plates, pipes, and structural sections. Students apply chocking, cradles, and lashing combinations specific to metal cargo.

Lesson 4 • Securing Wheeled and Rolling Cargo

Addresses securing of vehicles, trailers, and self-propelled equipment on ro-ro and multipurpose decks. Combines wheel chocking, lashing, and handbrake requirements into a complete securing system.

Lesson 1 • Securing Machinery and Industrial Equipment

Applies heavy-lift securing methods to transformers, generators, pressure vessels, and similar units. Addresses irregular shapes, fragile components, and manufacturer securing restrictions.

Lesson 2 • Structural Strength and Deck Loading

Covers permissible deck loads, point load distribution, and the use of spreader beams and load-spreading structures. Prevents structural damage to the ship caused by concentrated heavy cargo loads.

Lesson 3 • Engineering-Based Securing Plans

Explains when and how to commission a third-party engineering securing plan for complex cargo. Students learn to review, verify, and implement engineer-approved securing arrangements.

Lesson 4 • Monitoring Heavy Cargo During Voyage

Defines inspection intervals, re-tensioning procedures, and reporting requirements for heavy-lift cargo at sea. Ensures securing integrity is maintained throughout the voyage despite dynamic loads.

Lesson 1 • Lashing Pattern Execution and Tensioning

Details the correct sequence for applying lashing rods, bridge fittings, and turnbuckles to deck stacks. Addresses tensioning standards and the consequences of under- or over-tensioning.

Lesson 2 • Container Securing System Components

Identifies cell guides, twistlocks, lashing rods, turnbuckles, and bridge fittings used in container securing. Explains how each component contributes to the overall securing system integrity.

Lesson 3 • Out-of-Gauge Container Securing

Addresses securing of flat-rack, open-top, and platform containers carrying cargo that exceeds standard dimensions. Combines container securing with cargo-specific lashing requirements.

Lesson 4 • Container Stack Planning and Weight Limits

Covers stack weight limits, tier weight restrictions, and the effect of container weight distribution on securing forces. Students produce stack plans that comply with vessel and equipment limits.

Lesson 1 • Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis

Applies structured investigation methods to cargo shift, loss, and securing failure incidents. Students identify root causes and develop recommendations that prevent recurrence.

Lesson 2 • Safety Management System Integration

Explains how cargo securing procedures fit within the vessel's safety management system. Students align securing checklists, risk assessments, and non-conformity reporting with SMS requirements.

Lesson 3 • Cargo Securing Audits and Inspections

Defines internal audit procedures for verifying that securing arrangements meet approved plan requirements. Students conduct structured inspections and document findings for corrective action.

Lesson 4 • Pre-Cargo Operation Planning and Briefing

Covers the planning meeting, toolbox talk, and task assignment process before cargo operations begin. Ensures all crew members understand their roles and the securing plan before work starts.