Clasification Society 2023 - Version 9.37
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.489(XII) – Safe Stowage and Securing of Cargo Units and Other Entities in Ships Other than Cellular Container Ships – (Adopted 19 November 1981) - Annex - Guidelines on the Safe Stowage and Securing of Cargo Units and Other Entities in Ships Other than Cellular Container Ships

Annex - Guidelines on the Safe Stowage and Securing of Cargo Units and Other Entities in Ships Other than Cellular Container Ships

  1 Cargo units and other entities in this context means wheeled cargo, containers, flats, pallets, portable tanks, packaged units, vehicles, etc., and parts of loading equipment which belong to the ship and which are not fixed to the ship.

  2 These Guidelines apply to the securing of cargo units or other entities on open or closed decks of ships other than cellular container ships and ships specially designed and fitted for the purpose of carrying containers. Application of the Guidelines should always be at the master's discretion.

  3 Applicable parts of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and resolution A.288(VIII) on stowage and securing of containers on deck in ships which are not specially designed and fitted for the purpose of carrying containers should be observed.

  4 Shippers' special advice or guidelines regarding handling and stowage of individual cargo units should be observed.

  5 When reasonable, cargo units and other entities should be provided with means for safe application of portable securing gear. Such means should be of sufficient strength to withstand the forces which may be encountered on board ships in a seaway.

  6 Cargo units and other entities should be stowed in a safe manner and secured as necessary to prevent tipping and sliding. Due regard should be paid to the forces and accelerations to which the cargo units and other entities may be subjected.

  7 Ships should be provided with fixed cargo securing arrangements and with portable securing gear. Information regarding technical properties and practical application of the various items of securing equipment on board should be provided.

  8 Administrations should ascertain that every ship to which these Guidelines apply is provided with a Cargo Securing Manual appropriate to the characteristics of the ship and its intended service, in particular the ships' main dimensions, its hydrostatic properties, the weather and sea conditions which may be expected in the ship's trading area and also the cargo composition.

  9 Where there is reason to suspect that cargo within any unit is packed or stowed in an unsatisfactory way, or that a vehicle is in a bad state of repair, or where the unit itself cannot be safely stowed and secured on the ship, and may therefore be a source of danger to ship or crew, such unit or vehicle should not be accepted for shipment.

  Cargo Securing Manual

  10 The information contained in the Cargo Securing Manual should include the following items as appropriate:

  • .1 details of fixed securing arrangements and their locations (pad-eye, eyebolts, elephant-feet, etc.);

  • .2 location and stowage of portable securing gear;

  • .3 details of portable securing gear including an inventory of items provided and their strengths;

  • .4 examples of correct application of portable securing gear on various cargo units, vehicles and other entities carried on the ship;

  • .5 indication of the variation of transverse, longitudinal and vertical accelerations to be expected in various positions on board the ship.


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