{"id":191809,"date":"2022-12-07T11:19:33","date_gmt":"2022-12-07T10:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rothschenk.de\/episode-26-msl-and-lc-abbreviation-with-meaning\/"},"modified":"2025-06-30T16:56:47","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T14:56:47","slug":"episode-26-msl-and-lc-abbreviation-with-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rothschenk.de\/en\/episode-26-msl-and-lc-abbreviation-with-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Episode 26: MSL and LC – Abbreviation with meaning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some of you may know the saying:<\/p>\n\n

“In court and on the high seas, you are in God’s hands”.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This expresses that you are helpless and have no influence on what is happening.<\/p>\n\n

This applies in part to sea transportation. Probably the oldest load securing regulations already existed in seafaring. <\/p>\n\n

Everything had to be lashed down and stowed tightly to prevent the cargo from shifting, making the ship unstable and possibly even sinking.<\/p>\n\n

Since today’s ships still float according to the same physical principles and the sea with its manifestations of wind, waves and currents cannot be assessed 100% correctly even with the latest technology, safety factors must be used.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

The CTU Code 2015<\/strong> describes this in detail in Annex 7, Chapter 2.4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That brings us to MSL and LC. MSL<\/strong> stands for “Maximum Securing Load” and LC<\/strong> for “lashing Capacity” or lashing capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MSL corresponds to the LC. The abbreviation MSL is mainly used in maritime transport, while the abbreviation LC is generally used for land transportation. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

These abbreviations represent load values for securing equipment or devices that must not be exceeded when securing loads.<\/p>\n\n

They are usually specified in kiloNewtons (kN). The securing devices can be ropes, chains or belts, but also attachment points on vehicles or lanyards. <\/p>\n\n

The basis for determining the MSL or LC is the respective breaking force. In other words, the force at which the securing device or equipment fails. <\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here is an example of a broken shackle that had a breaking load of 306 kN and was loaded far beyond the permissible MSL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The maximum load should have been 153 kN.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Example of an iron bar that is constricted by stretching and then breaks off.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n
\"\"
The CTU Code shows this table with the MSL values for various securing devices in Appendix 7, Chapter 2.4.2.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

This information is based on the: Guidelines for the proper stowage and securing of cargo during carriage by sea <\/strong>(Resolution A.714(17)) (CSS Code)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

This is a detailed set of rules with calculation examples for specific loads. Another factor is introduced there. <\/p>\n\n

The safety factor CS<\/strong> (Calculated Strength) for complex load securing situations in order to compensate for the uneven distribution of the acting forces.<\/p>\n\n

When calculating these difficult charges, it can assume the following values: <\/p>\n\n