AMSA conducted a Focussed Inspection Campaign over the period 1 August to 31 October 2020, targeting the proper stowage and securing of cargo containers.
The results of the FIC indicate that in general, the physical hardware onboard (fixed and portable lashing equipment) ships visiting Australia, was maintained to a reasonable standard.
Information gathered during the campaign indicated that, in general, Ships Officers’ struggled to demonstrate the necessary understanding of the approved Cargo Securing Manual to ensure that containerised cargo was properly stowed and secured. This conclusion is reinforced by several deficiency appeals in the last 18 months relating to the Cargo Securing Manuals held onboard, as well as recent engagement with Class Societies over the Cargo Securing Manual vs lashing computer.
Results
During the campaign, a AMSA conducted a total of 208 focussed inspections.
The three worst results were as follows:
- We found 12 ships that exceeded the maximum permissible container stack weights during the current or previous voyages, giving a 5.8% negative result.
- Eight ships did not comply with weight distribution within stacks during current or previous voyages- a 3.8% negative result.
- Eight ships were found to have not secured cargo appropriately throughout the voyage to prevent potential loss overboard, a 3.8% negative result
The best results included:
- Masters and Officers familiar with the SMS requirements for heavy weather navigation and appropriate checklists available. (162) (45 - N/A).
- Twist locks and base locks positioned correctly (79) (128 N/A).
- Fixed cargo securing equipment in good condition (148) (59 N/A).
- Masters had been provided with Verified Gross Mass information for containerised cargos (82)(125 N/A).
Two ships were detained as a direct result of the Focussed Inspection Campaign.
- Maersk Seoul – Detained for the incorrect use of portable lashing equipment onboard.
- Nefeli – Detained for the majority of cargo hold pontoon securing pins being found defective & defective fire dampers. Several deficiencies were issued in relation to the FIC, including instances where the lashing forces exceeded maximum allowances.
Our continued focus
Since the campaign, AMSA has continued to observe failures of fixed physical securing arrangements onboard ships visiting Australia. This has been disappointing, and is something that AMSA does not take lightly. When we observe this during our port State control inspections, we will detain the vessel and direct that containers are discharged and repairs effected.
AMSA will continue to focus on cargo securing arrangements during our port State control inspections and will take steps to bring ships into compliance.
Some images of what AMSA has observed recently are pictured below.