4 Structurally sensitive components
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions - CSC - International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972 - International Convention for Safe Containers, 19721 - Annex III - Control and Verification - 4 Structurally sensitive components

4 Structurally sensitive components

  4.1 The following components are structurally sensitive and should be examined for deficiencies in accordance with the following table:

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii)
Structurally sensitive component Serious deficiency requiring immediate out-of-service determination Deficiency requiring advice to owner and restrictions for transport Restrictions to be applied in case of deficiencies according to column (iii)
Empty container Loaded container
Sea transport Other modes Sea transport Other modes
Top rail Local deformation to the rail in excess of 60 mm or separation or cracks or tears in the rail material in excess of 45 mm in length. (see Note 1) Local deformation to the rail in excess of 40 mm or separation or cracks or tears in the rail material in excess of 10 mm in length. (see Note 1) No restriction No restriction Bottom lifting not allowed, Top lifting allowed only by use of spreaders without chains Bottom lifting not allowed, Top lifting allowed only by use of spreaders without chains
  Note 1: On some designs of tank containers the top rail is not a structurally significant component.
Bottom rail Local deformation perpendicular to the rail in excess of 100 mm or separation cracks or tears in the rail's material in excess of 75 mm in length (see Note 2) Local deformation perpendicular to the rail in excess of 60 mm or separation cracks or tears in the rail's material: in excess of 25 mm in length in the upper flange; or of web in any length (see Note 2) No restriction No restriction Lifting at (any) corner fitting not allowed Lifting at (any) corner fitting not allowed
  Note 2: The rails material does not include the rail's bottom flange.
Header Local deformation to the header in excess of 80 mm or cracks or tears in excess of 80 mm in length Local deformation to the header in excess of 50 mm or cracks or tears in excess of 10 mm in length Container shall not be overstowed No restriction Container shall not be overstowed No restriction
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii)
Structurally sensitive component Serious deficiency requiring immediate out-of-service determination Deficiency requiring advice to owner and restrictions for transport Restrictions to be applied in case of deficiencies according to column (iii)
Empty container Loaded container
Sea transport Other modes Sea transport Other modes
Sill Local deformation to the sill in excess of 100 mm or cracks or tears in excess of 100 mm in length. Local deformation to the sill in excess of 60 mm or cracks or tears in excess of 10 mm in length Container shall not be overstowed No restriction Container shall not be overstowed No restrictions
Corner posts Local deformation to the post in excess of 50 mm or cracks or tears in excess of 50 mm in length Local deformation to the post in excess of 30 mm or cracks or tears of any length Container shall not be overstowed No restriction Container shall not be overstowed No restrictions
Corner and intermediate fittings Missing corner fittings, any through cracks or tears in the fitting, any deformation of the fitting that precludes full engagement of the securing or lifting fittings (see Note 3) or any weld separation of adjoining components in excess of 50 mm in length Weld separation of adjoining components of 50 mm or less Container shall not be lifted on board a ship if the damaged fittings prevent safe lifting or securing. Container shall be lifted and handled with special care Container shall not be loaded on board a ship. Container shall be lifted and handled with special care
Any reduction in the thickness of the plate containing the top aperture that makes it less than 25 mm thick Container shall be lifted and handled with special care Container shall not be overstowed when twistlocks have to be used Container shall be lifted and handled with special care Container shall not be lifted by the top corner fittings. Container shall be lifted and handled with special care.
Any reduction in the thickness of the plate containing the top aperture that makes it less than 26 mm thick Container shall not be overstowed when fully automatic twistlocks are to be used Container shall be lifted and handled with special care Container shall not be used with fully automatic twistlocks. Container shall be lifted and handled with special care.
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii)
Structurally sensitive component Serious deficiency requiring immediate out-of-service determination Deficiency requiring advice to owner and restrictions for transport Restrictions to be applied in case of deficiencies according to column (iii)
Empty container Loaded container
Sea transport Other modes Sea transport Other modes
  Note 3
The full engagement of securing or lifting fittings is precluded if there is any deformation of the fitting beyond 5 mm from its original plane, any aperture width greater than 66 mm, any aperture length greater than 127 mm or any reduction in thickness of the plate containing the top aperture that makes it less than 23 mm thick.
Understructure Two or more adjacent cross members missing or detached from the bottom rails. 20% or more of the total number of cross members missing or detached. (see Note 4) One or two cross members missing or detached (see Note 4) No restrictions No restrictions No restrictions No restrictions
More than two cross members missing or detached (see Notes 4 and 5) No restrictions No restrictions Maximum payload shall be restricted to 0.5 x P Maximum payload shall be restricted to 0.5 x P
  Note 4: If onward transport is permitted, it is essential that detached cross members are precluded from falling free.

Note 5: Careful cargo discharge is required as forklift capability of the understructure might be limited.
Locking rods One or more inner locking rods are non-functional (see Note 6) One or more outer locking rods are non-functional (see Note 6) Container shall not be overstowed No restriction Container shall not be overstowed. Cargo shall be secured against the container frame and the door shall not be used to absorb acceleration forces – otherwise maximum payload shall be restricted to 0.5 P Cargo shall be secured against the container frame and the door shall not be used to absorb acceleration forces – otherwise maximum payload shall be restricted to 0.5 P
  Note 6: Some containers are designed and approved (and so recorded on the CSC Plate) to operate with one door open or removed.
Parent topic: Annex III - Control and Verification
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