When a machine is loaded into a container, it is secured to the container´s structure by means of lashing rods, twist-locks, turnbuckles, etc. This prevents the machine from moving, falling, or getting damaged over rough journeys.
Why is lashing so important?
Lashing is important not only to prevent the machine from getting damaged, but also it is the first thing insurance companies audit in case of an accident. When the lashing is not done correctly, the insurance will not cover any damage done to the equipment.
Lashing must be done correctly according to the size, weight, and equipment type.
The lashing is considered as part of the loading process, and it must be compatible to any of the chosen transport means. But it has a special treatment regarding the transport responsibility and insurances.
25% of accidents involving trucks are attributed to inadequate cargo securing. If you assume the responsibility to secure the loading of the machine, you must keep this in mind :
a) Use lashings (web, steel chains or steel wire with their respective ratchets, hooks, or rings) with the appropriate standard tension force. For example, stripes with 400 Kg regular resistance, able to support up to 1.600 Kg under stress.
b) To use friction enlarging equipment, blocking bars or support structures.
c) Using filling material, air cushions, corner protectors, block wedges or nailed headboards, walls, and timber battens.
These actions are required to lock, block, or lash the equipment to secure and prevent it from tipping or sliding during transportation. Attached you can see the Quick Lashing Guide for the 2014 European Union Best Cargo Securing Practices guidelines in the following link:
https://www.machinepoint.com/QuickLashingGuide.pdf
You will find instructions to lash the equipment the proper way. The reason why we insist on the importance of this step is because when accidents occur the lashing is the first aspect insurance companies’ study to find the cause of the problem. MachinePoint documents all these processes when we are responsible for the supervision of the loading.
It is true that the responsibility for lashing depends on the type of transport, when speaking of maritime transport, the lashing responsibility lies on the loader, but when talking of inland transport, the responsibility is divided between the company that loads and the company that hires the transport. So, hiring one company avoids any confusion, giving one company the control of the project.
There is no such thing as a lashing certificate, but in many cases, what you should get from the lashing companies is a certificate of the job done. This way you can show the transport company how the job was done at the factory and this way get the approval from the ship’s captain to board the ship.
MachinePoint provides its customers with a loading report, where you are able to see how the machine was distributed in the trucks and container, attached with pictures and videos explaining how the jobs were done.
