Cargo Blog

Anyone who deals with the subject of load securing will come across anti-slip mats at some point. For some, they are a panacea, for others just a cost factor that is not needed. How do anti-slip mats work and how necessary are they really in load securing? About the author: In a series of specialist articles from the field, on topics [...]

Load distribution on trucks is always a major challenge for both drivers and loaders, which is often approached with "half-knowledge". Provided you have some basic knowledge of physics, the problem can be solved quite easily. About the author: In a series of specialist articles from the field, on topics relating to containers and trucks, you will receive professional knowledge [...]

EN-12142 "Load securing on road vehicles - Bodies on commercial vehicles - Minimum requirements" has now been in existence since 2007, and vehicle bodies have been getting better and better over the years. Almost only bodies that comply with the Code XL profile are now being manufactured. In terms of the bulkhead, this means a minimum load capacity of 50% of the technical payload. About the author: In a [...]

Load securing methods are more diverse than one might think. However, the tie-down lashing method is mostly used, although it is not very efficient. Book lashing or strapping (EN-12195-1) is a securing method that can be used simply, safely and efficiently for certain loads. It is important to know that the securing force always acts in one direction only. To the author: In [...]

If you carefully pass the trucks with open loading area on the highways, you will predominantly see the tie-down method. This is the method that most drivers and loaders know, but also the one that is often not efficient and sufficient enough. Of course, what is hidden under the tarpaulins cannot be seen. About the author: In a series of [...]

The most common means of transport in Europe today is the semi-trailer. Compared with articulated trains, it has the advantage of a continuous loading area, a larger payload and is easier to maneuver. In this article, I will discuss the problems associated with securing devices for this type of body. About the author: In a series of technical articles from practice, on topics [...]

The Code XL body, the magic word in load securing. Quite a few shippers and also drivers are of the opinion that now it is only necessary to load and no longer to secure. This is only partly true. The wise answer is: "it depends". Yes on what? About the author: In a series of technical articles from the field, on topics [...]

Refrigerated containers have become an indispensable part of the logistics industry. They offer the possibility of transporting refrigerated goods at a defined temperature and monitoring the temperature profile. Compared to the past, when refrigeration had to be provided by the means of transport, today's integral containers are easier to handle. The refrigeration unit is built into the container, which has the minor disadvantage that [...]

When I am present at loading operations and observe the processes, it never ceases to amaze me what damage to the truck is accepted without a word by the loading employee or the loading company and the truck is loaded. Damage, even if it is not insignificant, is accepted godly, like a summer thunderstorm against which nothing can be done. Thus [...]

As a rule, loads are secured on/trucks by the positive or non-positive method. I described what the positive-locking method is all about and what needs to be taken into account in episode 23. In this episode, the securing device "tensioning belt" will be described in more detail, particularly from the point of view of "discardability". About the author: In a series of technical articles from [...]

One of the most common mistakes made in load securing is the fact that the most important features of the tensioning devices, whether they are straps, chains or ropes, are not implemented effectively. About the author: In a series of technical articles from the field, on topics related to the container and truck, you will get professional knowledge [...]

When lashing down or directly, it is unavoidable that lashing angles occur on the loading area when the securing equipment is attached. What are they and what do I have to pay attention to? The decisive factor is always that the angles are observed in a specific situation, taking into account the respective direction of the acceleration/deceleration forces. About the author: In a series of technical papers from the [...]

Some people may know the saying: "In court and on the high seas, you are in God's hands". This expresses that one is helpless and without influence on what is happening. About the Author: In a series of expert articles from the field, on topics related to containers and trucks, you will get first-hand professional knowledge. How [...]

The vehicle is ready. The goods are packed and ready for loading. But what type of lashing do I use to secure my load on the truck? How many belts do I need and in which directions can the goods move? What sounds simple requires upfront expertise in physics, dynamics and also knowledge about the different possibilities [...]

Recourse claims are almost always a vexed issue in a company, especially when claims cannot be averted. What are the causes and what could be done about it? About the author: In a series of specialist articles from the field, on topics relating to containers and trucks, you will receive first-hand professional knowledge. How do you secure [...]

Securing the load with form-fit securing methods is the best, simplest and safest solution in most cases. In practice, however, there is often a lack of clarity as to which boundary conditions must be met for this to actually work. About the author: In a series of technical articles from the field, on topics relating to containers and trucks, you will get [...]

When loading a truck from the rear, the loading area is often driven over with the forklift without a second thought. Very few people think about whether this is even permissible and whether the floor can withstand the load. About the author: In a series of technical articles from the field, on topics related to the container and truck, you will get [...]

Why are there no problems in most cases, although hardly anyone bothers with mathematics? This can be proven on the basis of calculations. Provided that, as described in part 1, no mistakes are made.

Cargo must be secured in the container. The question is not "whether to secure", but "how to secure a cargo". Even experts do not always agree on the "how". Some say: "nothing has ever happened before" and others: "for God's sake, it can't work like that". A [...]

Combined transport is a word that is often used in logistics, but we often find that not everyone knows exactly what is hidden behind it. The weight 44to is often generally associated with it. However, it is not that simple. In fact, it is a regulation of the EU with the cumbersome name: COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 92/106/EEC [...]

The accident of the 4,419 TEU container ship MSC Napoli on Jan. 18, 2007, in the English Channel during storm Kyrill resulted in the total loss of the ship. (Source: Napoli Report No9/2008 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/547c703ced915d4c0d000087/NapoliReport.pdf) The investigation is interesting in that the outcome had a direct impact on the packing/stowing of containers. What had happened? Image source: Wikipedia To the author: In a series [...]

Shipping accidents and disasters occur time and again. Some of them are due to incorrect information about the cargo, the weight or incorrect or missing classification of dangerous goods. Inadequate cargo securing leads to transport damage. It is not uncommon for ships to be totally lost.

Lashings are increasingly being used to secure cargo in the container. Their purpose is to introduce the acceleration forces specifically and completely into the body of the container via the securing means. However, care must be taken to ensure that they are used in such a way that they achieve their maximum efficiency. In practice, mistakes are repeatedly made in this respect. In the following, I would like to explain some...

The word is composed of the words "twist" for twisting and "lock" for locking. In other words, a technique that creates a lock by twisting. This is the basic principle, of which there are of course various variations. In this specific case, we are talking about twistlocks, which are used in container transport. About the author: In a series of technical articles [...]

When transporting goods, many are involved to achieve a common result. The common result is the safe movement of the goods from the producer to the consumer. In between, there are several transportation phases in which the goods are subject to what are known as TUL stresses. TUL stands for transport-transhipment-storage. At each stage, the goods/cargo must be secured in such a way that the TUL loads do not exceed the...

When transporting goods, many are involved to achieve a common result. The common result is the safe movement of the goods from the producer to the consumer. In between, there are several transportation phases in which the goods are subject to what are known as TUL stresses. TUL stands for transport-transhipment-storage. At each stage, the goods/cargo must be secured in such a way that the TUL loads do not exceed the...

Anti-slip mats are often regarded as a panacea for load securing, but is that really the case? However, the many observations I have been able to make during loading operations often reveal a very different picture in practice. Things are often "made worse". The how and what will be explained below. First of all, the functional principle of anti-slip mats (ARM) will be presented. Between...

Stowage of a container does not begin when it is in the yard with the rear doors open, but already when it is clear that a container is required. Those involved or affected are not only those who load the container, but also those who develop, design, plan the manufacture of the goods or commodities to be...

Positive securing of the load has already been dealt with in sequence 8. Now we would like to take a closer look at frictional locking. What is meant by frictional locking, how does it work and what is important when securing a load? A frictional connection is a connection between two parts over a surface, where both surfaces have a high coefficient of friction. How...

Acceleration is a physical phenomenon that surrounds us all the time. We often don't notice it and if we do, it hurts, e.g. when you tap your thumb with a hammer. With this LaSi blog I would like to bridge the gap from everyday situations to special requirements when transporting with sea containers or the truck.

Securing cargo in containers is not really a problem, but inspection practice and the damage rate show that many loaders/stowers have difficulties with "knowing how! In this episode, I will explain the principles of tight-fit stowage/packing and how they can be implemented. The difference between frictional and positive locking has already been explained in many places, which is why...

A considerable part of all global general cargo transports is handled by container. Millions of these metal boxes are on the move by sea, rail and road. Everywhere they are subject to special transport stresses and when loading, sometimes shippers have no inhibitions about handling them with little care for the material. Although there are globally applicable rules for testing and repairs for the container...

Load securing is an inexhaustible subject and anyone with an alert eye on the road has certainly realized that more loads are being secured than in the past. Even the agricultural sector is using more and more securing devices. Whether they are effective, however, is questionable. Perhaps this can be described by the following anecdote. Two mothers are talking about their musical...

This loading area is definitely not clean. It has probably not been swept for a very long time. If you are on the Rothschenk website, it can probably be assumed that you have already heard more or less about load securing. Should you do any more research on the Internet, you will stumble across forums, information pages from consultants and...

Quite simply - always the other 😊 The existing sense of justice leaves many involved in the transport already in the basic features, if "the" responsible person is asked. Thereby always at least 2 or more vicarious agents meet. When transporting goods according to German law (e.g. freight law according to §§ 407ff. HGB, forwarding law according to §§ 453 ff. HGB, ADSp) or according to international...

The container is often considered as a transport box with which you can do anything. However, cargoes are stowed in the container for which it is not built at all. Therefore, it seems necessary to describe the characteristics of the container in addition to the technical standards and regulations. Dimensions of a container Since the container in its present form was invented in America, based...

CSC The "Convention for Safe Containers" was adopted by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) in 1972 and incorporated into German law in 1976 with its publication in the Federal Law Gazette. It is a set of rules intended to ensure that all container manufacturers and owners worldwide manufacture, test and repair the means of transport according to uniform criteria. In the process, the set of rules is supplemented by some...

Since the container is one of the most common means of transport, you can also see many on the road, mostly from the rear. On the rear doors there is a lot of information, which is very important for the one who has to load containers. Therefore, in this episode I would like to explain the marking and its meaning. Rear doors In the upper third are located on the...