Best Practice Guidelines for Stowage and Securing of Steel Cargoes

This publication sets out best practice guidelines for the proper stowage and safe securing of steel cargoes. Each chapter is colour coded and focuses on a different type of steel cargo, providing advice on bundling, dunnaging, lashing and stowage. Cargoes covered include:

• Rebar
• wire rod in coils
• steel plate
• pipes
• hot and cold rolled steel coils
• ingots, billets, blooms and slabs.

Each chapter also contains diagrams that demonstrate best practice in action and highlight dangerous practices to be avoided.

Background

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires in Chapter VI ‘Carriage of cargo and oil fuels’, Regulation 5 ‘Stowage and securing’ that:

“Cargo, cargo units and cargo transport units carried on or under deck shall be so loaded, stowed and secured as to prevent as far as is practicable, throughout the voyage, damage or hazard to the ship and the persons on board, and loss of cargo overboard” and

“All cargoes, other than solid and liquid bulk cargoes, cargo units and cargo transport units, shall be loaded, stowed and secured throughout the voyage in accordance with the Cargo Securing Manual approved by the Administration.”

In addition, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) in November 1991 by Resolution A.714(17). The purpose of the CSS Code is to provide an international standard to promote the safe stowage and securing of cargo. The general principles of the CSS Code require that:

“All cargoes should be stowed and secured in such a way that the ship and persons on board are not put at risk.

The safe stowage and securing of cargoes depend on proper planning, execution and supervision.

In all cases, improper stowage and securing of cargo will be potentially hazardous to the securing of other cargoes and to the ship itself.”

Chapter 2, ‘Principles of safe stowage and securing of cargoes’, states:

“2.2.1 It is of utmost importance that the master takes great care in planning and supervising the stowage and securing of cargoes in order to prevent cargo sliding, tipping, racking, collapsing, etc.” and

“2.6.1 The principal means of preventing the improper stowage and securing of cargoes is through proper supervision of the loading operation and inspections of the stow.”

Despite these Regulations, the Foreword to the CSS Code highlights that:

“Improper stowage and securing of cargoes has resulted in numerous serious ship casualties and caused injury and loss of life, not only at sea but also during loading and discharge.”

Recognising this safety gap in the steel cargo segment, Capt Leo Vincent of Jurong Port and appointed consultant Capt Ivan Todorov of Brookes Bell developed a set of guidelines, which forms the basis of this publication.

The neighbouring ports of Johor Port, Northport, Westports and Penang Port joined Jurong Port (collectively ‘The Ports’) in support of the project and, after a comprehensive review of the issues faced by stevedores during the discharging of various steel cargoes, The Ports issued the ‘Best Practice Guidelines for Stowage and Securing of Steel Cargoes’.

The Guidelines have been developed to assist ship’s Masters and officers, port Captains, load port agents and stevedores, charterers and shippers when planning to load steel cargoes that are bound for Malaysia or Singapore. However, the Guidelines can be applied to any other ports. They are to be read in conjunction with the respective company’s instructions on the safe carriage of steel, ship ISM requirements, advisories found in the cargo stowage and securing manual, and the port’s stowage policy.

The primary objectives of these Guidelines are to ensure:

• The safety of all personnel engaged in cargo operations at The Ports
• expeditious discharge, resulting in efficient productivity and turn-round in the cargo handling operation at the discharge port
• avoidance of damage to the cargo during the cargo handling operation.

The ‘Best Practice Guidelines for Stowage and Securing of Steel Cargoes’ have been written in keeping with recognised international industry standards and guidelines for the safe handling and stowage of steel cargoes by sea.

Background

Forewords

Commitment to Safety

Best Practice Guidelines – Overview

Preparation of Holds for Steel Cargoes (All Types)

Bundling

Lashing

Dunnage

Stowage

References

Guidelines

Rebar

Wire Rod in Coils (WRIC)

Steel Plate

Pipes

Structural Steel

Hot and Cold Rolled Steel Coils

Ingots, Billets, Blooms, Slabs

Combined Stowage of Different Steel Products

Jurong Port

Jurong Port is a leading multipurpose port and has been recognised for its operational efficiency, safety standards and sustainability initiatives. Since its establishment in the 1960s, it has been an important part of Singapore’s development, supporting construction, shipbuilding, offshore, petroleum and manufacturing industries.

Jurong Port has worked closely with regional multipurpose ports and industry associations, such as the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and the ASEAN Ports Association (APA), to produce these guidelines.

Witherbys

Witherbys titles are developed using scripts developed by technical experts that are peer reviewed within work groups. Typically, they seek to improve understanding of the regulations, recommendations and guidelines issued by Industry.

Witherbys staff have significant expertise in the fields of navigation and hazardous cargoes as well as in the presentation of complex subjects in a graphic and easy to understand manner.