Operational guide · Operational procedure

Ro-Ro Cargo Securing

Ro-ro securing connects the vehicle’s mass, centre of gravity and position with the securing points and lashings specified by the Cargo Securing Manual. Check the actual configuration and installation; variants or cargo not covered require a competent assessment using the data, method and checks required by the applicable process.

Ro-RoCSS Codevehicle securingcargo securing

Operational Explanation

Before selecting lashings, compare vehicle data with the position and configuration specified by the CSM: mass and centre of gravity, securing points, devices, supports and suspension arrangements. Then check that the installed securing matches those instructions; the presence of chains or tensioners alone does not demonstrate suitable geometry and capacity.

MSC.479(102) contains recommendations for road vehicles within its scope. CSS Code Annex 13 provides assessment methods for semi-standardised and non-standardised cargo and is intended to assist both ship’s staff and qualified shore personnel with cargo not covered by the CSM. This does not allow the approved manual to be disregarded: check the method, data and competence, follow the flag/CSM/SMS process and obtain acceptance or approval where required. If instructions or a sufficient basis for the intended cargo are missing, do not proceed using an improvised calculation.

Regulatory Reference

SOLAS VI/5.6; MSC.479(102), §§2, 6–7; MCA — CSM / MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2. Distinguish road-vehicle recommendations, the CSS Annex 13 method and the approved CSM. MCA guidance includes UK-specific provisions.

MSC.1/Circ.1623, Annex 13, §§1–3 describes the assessment scope and methods, including the role of ship’s staff. It does not introduce universal prior approval for every assessment.

Scope of Application

MSC.479(102) addresses regular carriage on international voyages in unsheltered waters: defined road-vehicle categories with authorized maximum total mass between 3.5 and 40 t, and articulated road trains up to 45 t; buses are excluded. These limits define the guidance, not an exemption from safe securing and the CSM for other vehicles. For configurations not covered, verify the assessment basis and obtain the competent checks and acceptance/approval required by the applicable process.

Procedure / How to Complete It

Check the CSM covers cargo type, weight, CoG and position.
Apply the instructions and devices prescribed by the Manual.
If instructions or a sufficient basis for the configuration are missing, suspend loading and obtain a competent assessment and case-specific arrangement.
Apply Annex 13 with reliable data and competent personnel, respecting the CSM and applicable process, including acceptance/approval where required.
Check installation against drawings and monitor during the voyage under CSM/SMS.

Practical Example

An exceptional vehicle with a CoG not covered by the CSM is not secured from a quayside spreadsheet: competent personnel prepare the arrangement, which is accepted or approved as required before loading.

What Typically Goes Wrong

Unintended securing points, angles different from the drawing or lost lashing tension can leave the vehicle able to move. Mass and centre of gravity are not enough if geometry, supports or suspension differ from the assessed configuration. Check these before departure and during the voyage only where access is safe and under the CSM/SMS.

Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake	Consequence	How to Avoid It
Securing calculated without relevant data and method or disregarding the CSM	Holding capacity not justified for the actual configuration	Stop, verify method and competence and obtain the required checks and acceptance/approval
MSC.479(102), Annex 13 and CSM treated as interchangeable	Guidance, method and binding document are confused	Identify each instrument's role and scope
Installation differs from drawings	Forces and geometry no longer match the calculation	Physically verify the arrangement before departure

What the PSCO Checks

Approved CSM, instructions for all specific stowage situations, conformity of the actual arrangement, devices and familiarisation. A calculation not incorporated or accepted through the applicable process does not by itself fill a CSM gap.

Operational Tips

Verify reliable mass and centre-of-gravity data, securing-point geometry and condition; do not derive securing from weight alone.
Check semi-trailer supports and suspension arrangements against the CSM and configuration: landing legs are not automatically suitable for sea transport.
Examine and retension during the voyage where practicable and necessary, only with safe access and under the CSM/SMS. Do not send personnel onto an unsafe deck merely because several hours have elapsed.

Preparation checklist

Configuration and method checked under CSM/applicable process, with checks and acceptance/approval where required
MSC.479(102) used within scope
Annex 13 applied through authorised method
Devices and lashing points checked
Installation matches drawings/calculations

FAQ

If the CSM does not cover a configuration, may the crew calculate it with Annex 13?

Annex 13 is also intended to assist ship’s staff in assessing cargo not covered by the CSM. An improvised calculation is not enough: reliable data, competence and a relevant method are needed, respecting the CSM and applicable process, with acceptance/approval where required.

Does MSC.479(102) replace the CSM?

No. It is recommendatory guidance for road vehicles within scope; the approved CSM governs the loaded configuration.

What is Annex 13's role?

It provides assessment methods for semi-standardised and non-standardised cargo, supporting the CSM and competent assessments; it does not replace applicable instructions, data and procedures.

Ro-Ro Cargo Securing

Operational Explanation

Regulatory Reference

Scope of Application

Procedure / How to Complete It

Practical Example

What Typically Goes Wrong

Common Mistakes Mistake Library

What the PSCO Checks

Operational Tips

Preparation checklist

FAQ

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