NorthLink Ferries Freight Department - Drop trailer and self propelled vehicle lashing

To allow shipment on all of our vessels to and from Orkney and Shetland, drop trailers and commercial self propelled vehicles of nine metres or over in length must have a minimum of four designated lashing points on each side of the vehicle to allow secure lashing to the ship’s deck. These should be fitted to the chassis of the trailer.

Two of these lashings must be adjacent to and forward of the trestle position on the trailer as shown in the diagram right. This allows the trailer to be lashed down securely onto the trestle which supports the trailer during shipment. In adverse weather wheel chocks will also be used to stabilize the trailer while onboard.

SPVs, as shown below, will also require two additional lashing points on the front of the tractor unit itself.

Drop trailers and commercial self propelled vehicles less than nine metres in length will be secured in accordance with the department of transports booklet – Stowage and Securing of Vehicles – Code of Practice and also international standard ISO9367. This requires vehicles less than 9m in length but weighting 3.5 to 20 gross tons to have a minimum of 2 designated lashing points on each side.

Please note that the loading officer and ultimately the Master of the vessel will have the final decision as to the suitability of the lashing points and acceptance of the trailer for shipment. Our shoreside stevedoring supervisors will also assess the suitability of lashing points on vehicles arriving for shipment.

If lashings are found to be defective or unsuitable the trailer or vehicle will be refused shipment until suitable lashing points are fitted.

If you require further information or guidance please contact our dedicated customer service freight staff on 0845 6060 449.

Lashing Points

Types of strong, acceptable lashing points are shown in photographs fig 1,2,3 below

Fig 1 - Pad Eye	Fig 2 – D Ring	Fig 3 - Forward D Ring

Example of a good forward lashing point positioning arrangement on a drop trailer. Is shown below in photograph Fig 4 below.

Fig 4 - Good forward arrangement

European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport
Web Link :- http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/vehicles/doc/cargo_securing_guidelines_en.pdf