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Together in Safety • Incident Prevention • Container Losses

Container Losses

Risk of injury, cargo and loss due to mis-declaration of container weight, insufficient lashings, navigation and stability issues.

2,301 average container losses for the last three years ((2020-2022) 1
1,566 containers are lost each year on average 2
1 World Shipping Council, May 2023 - Containers Lost at Sea – 2023 Update 2 World Shipping Council, May 2023 - Containers Lost at Sea – 2023 Update
Lifeboats
Container Fires
Engine Room Fires
Engine Room Flooding
Heavy Weather
Golden Safety Rules
Navigation incidents
Bunker spills
Lifting Operations
Mooring Operations
Personnel Transfer
High Pressure
Enclosed Spaces
Vehicle Decks

Guiding Principles

  1. Plan, prepare and execute the container stowage considering all the ports in the vessel’s rotation.
    UK P&I Club Carefully to Carry General Container Operations
  2. Be mindful of the GM of the vessel. Modern vessels have the capacity to forgive several deviations for the “light over heavy” rule at the beginning of the loading port sequence, and during the discharge port rotation, but as the loading ports come to an end, the available slots become fewer and therefore the deviations become unavoidable and more “costly”. This may not lead to a dangerous reduction of the GM, but it may force the vessel to to load heavy units on top of light ones on deck and at high(er) rows.
  3. Secure the deck cargo in accordance with the Cargo Securing Manual and maintain the proper tension of the lashings throughout the voyage and in-between ports.
  4. Use every occasion where bays are empty to check the condition of fittings and securing points.
  5. Maintain the proper stability (static and dynamic) throughout the voyage. While Officers take all precautions to ascertain correct stowage of the Containers, they have a tendency of carrying excessive amounts of ballast, aiming to the highest possible GM. As a result we have very “stiff “vessels, that tend return to the upright position in a very accelerated manner. In heavy weather conditions is can drive the acceleration and shearing forces out of the designed capabilities of the lashing material and especially the twist locks.
  6. One of the most dangerous conditions that a containership can find itself during heavy weather, is the “parametric rolling”, which if not detected and acted upon fast, can lead up to a perilous situation. Officers should possess the adequate skills to recognize the hazardous conditions that may be developing and to be able to take proper actions. Ship handling Courses and BRM courses for Container officers to include these scenarios.
    TopTier Notice: Parametric Rolling From Following Seas
  7. Conduct live cargo audits during annual ISM audits.
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Resources

Incident Prevention

Guidelines for the management of distraction causing devices on board ships

The document provides voluntary guidelines for shipping companies to manage the risks associated with distractions from electronic devices on ships. It outlines a framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls to minimize distractions, particularly for key personnel in

Guidance

download

Incident Prevention
UKP&I Club

UK P&I Club Carefully to Carry General Container Operations

The document is a section from a maritime shipping manual focused on container operations and waste shipments. It provides detailed guidance on how to properly load, stack, and secure cargo in shipping containers, with specific emphasis on waste transport regulations.

Guidance

download

Incident Prevention
Lloyds Register

Lifesaving appliance pocket checklist (Google Play store)

This is Lloyd's Register's Port State Control app, designed to streamline ship inspections and compliance processes. Created by the world's oldest marine classification society (established over 260 years ago), the app helps ship owners and crew manage port state inspections more efficiently by ensu

Tools

link

Incident Prevention
Lloyds Register

Lifesaving appliance pocket checklist (Apple)

This is Lloyd's Register's Port State Control app, designed to streamline ship inspections and compliance processes. Created by the world's oldest marine classification society (established over 260 years ago), the app helps ship owners and crew manage port state inspections more efficiently.

Tools

link

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      Golden safety rules

      The 9 Golden Safety Rules focus on the work areas known to have a significant impact on safety in the maritime industry – from fall prevention and spotting hazards to hotwork and navigation.

      Taking each area in turn, the rules highlight the key issues involved and give operators a series of Dos and Don’ts that can be shared with employees to promote safer working practices.

      Download The Golden Safety Rules (PDF)