Chains, wire, or webbing straps used to secure cargo on deck or in holds against movement during sea passage.
Quick facts
Regulation
SOLAS Chapter VI
In practice
The chief mate is responsible for ensuring that all cargo is secured in accordance with the CSM before departure. On container ships, lashings consist primarily of twist-locks and lashing rods with turnbuckles, supplemented by mid-tier lashing bars for upper tiers. For break-bulk and project cargo, chains and webbing straps are used with dunnage to distribute loads. Before departing port, the OOW should walk the deck to verify lashing completion and tightness, repeating the inspection after the vessel encounters heavy weather. Deficient lashings can cause containers to collapse on deck or cargo to shift in the hold, leading to loss of stability, pollution, or casualties.
Regulatory detail & full definition
A lashing is a securing arrangement using chains, wire ropes, synthetic fibre straps, or webbing slings to restrain cargo on deck or in cargo holds against movement caused by ship motion at sea. The Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code, adopted under SOLAS Chapter VI) provides IMO guidance on calculating the forces acting on cargo and selecting appropriate lashing equipment. The Cargo Securing Manual (CSM), required under SOLAS Chapter VI, Regulation 5, must be approved by the flag administration and carried on board; it specifies the maximum securing load (MSL) for each type of securing point and lashing equipment on the vessel.
The chief mate is responsible for ensuring that all cargo is secured in accordance with the CSM before departure. On container ships, lashings consist primarily of twist-locks and lashing rods with turnbuckles, supplemented by mid-tier lashing bars for upper tiers. For break-bulk and project cargo, chains and webbing straps are used with dunnage to distribute loads. Before departing port, the OOW should walk the deck to verify lashing completion and tightness, repeating the inspection after the vessel encounters heavy weather. Deficient lashings can cause containers to collapse on deck or cargo to shift in the hold, leading to loss of stability, pollution, or casualties.