November 23 - Four wooden cases containing a water treatment plant have been loaded as breakbulk cargo and shipped by Tuscor Lloyds from Felixstowe, UK to Jebel Ali, UAE.
With a volume of 300 cu m, the cases were loaded across 11 flat racks, positioned below deck on the vessel.
Three of the cases were lifted into the hold and positioned by the surveyor directing the stevedores without problem, but there was a short delay with the fourth case as it had been incorrectly fitted with a steel reinforcing shoe adjacent to the nominated lifting position, requiring a temporary shoe to be secured by the stevedores.
Each of the wooden cases was held in position by heavy wooden chocks, nailed into the flat rack beds and positioned to give support in all directions.
Tuscor Lloyds says that the cases were without suitable lashing points, and although the base sections were relatively strong, their upper parts were quite weak and flexible.
Securing was accomplished by using webbing straps, each tensioned by its own ratchet. These were attached to the lashing points on the flat racks. The positioning of the webbing straps gave sufficient support to the cases in all directions, meeting the requirements of the IMO Guidelines for Cargo Stowage and Securing.
With the presence onsite of Tuscor Lloyds' own surveyor throughout loading (and constant contact with the company's project managers during the small hours of a Sunday morning) problems during loading were overcome quickly. To the great relief of the shipper, this site coordination ensured the cargo was sent safely on its way on time.www.tuscorlloyds.com
