Problem Astern

Joseph Bonney | Apr 9, 2009 1:06PM GMT

Rough seas and deck containers can be a bad combination. Each year, ships lose hundreds of containers overboard. One of our readers sent this photo of what can happen when lashings break loose on containers stowed above deck.

Here is a Coast Guard press release (http://www.uscglosangeles.com/go/doc/834/266531/) about the YM Taichung, which arrived in Los Angeles after encountering heavy weather in the Pacific. The Coast Guard says 14 containers were lost overboard and 26 others to shift.

From Ron Katims:

Many years ago when I was an advisor to the US delegation to IMCO, the technical problems of containers on deck received a lot of attention. It was recognized that lashing systems depended on the strength of lashing, the manner in which the lashings were installed and the racking strength of containers.

I believe the bulk of failures are because the containers lose their strength over time and fail. It is the real weakness of the lashing system in that when one container fails the entire stack fails. Add to this that most containers on deck hold high value cargos such as reefer and the loss problem is multiplied.

When this was being studied in the late 70's I proposed that lashing systems be phased out and that all ships use racks above deck. If this had been done at that time it would have paid for itself by reducing the initial cost of containers, the stevedoring savings and last but not least the failures you picture which cause loss of cargo and danger to the vessels and crews.

On a broader perspective, the planning of containerships is poor. Current ship design is done separate from the total container system which causes port and inland inefficiencies. Vessel owners should step back and take a better look at the future before the next wave of ships are put in the water.

- By Joseph Bonney on 4/9/09