The process and equipment used to secure vehicles in place during transportation by ship, rail, or truck to prevent movement, shifting, or damage caused by acceleration, braking, waves, or rough handling. Proper lashing is critical for cargo safety and regulatory compliance.
What is Vehicle Lashing and Securing?
Vehicle lashing and securing refers to the methods and equipment used to immobilize vehicles during transport, preventing rolling, shifting, or collision caused by ocean swells, coupling shocks, or highway braking forces. It sounds routine, but the consequences of getting it wrong are severe.
Why this matters
Improperly secured cargo caused the Hoegh Osaka to list and ground in the Solent in 2015, a vessel carrying over 1,400 vehicles. Proper securing costs just $4-6 per vehicle but prevents damage averaging $500-5,000 per incident. The math is straightforward.
Equipment by Vehicle Type
Standard Passenger Cars
Rubber/plastic wheel chocks prevent rolling. Nylon/polyester wheel straps (25-50mm) loop over tires and attach to deck lashing points. Typically 2 chocks + 2 straps per car. Takes 8-10 minutes per vehicle.
Heavy Vehicles
Steel chains (G70/G80 grade) attached to chassis hard points with load binders. Cross-bracing chains prevent lateral movement. 4-8 lashing points per unit. Takes 20-40 minutes.
High-Value / Luxury
Protective padding on all contact points. Soft padded straps attached to suspension (not rims). Minimal tension to prevent movement without stressing the vehicle. Protective cover applied first. Takes 15-20 minutes.
Securing Process (Standard Car)
Position Vehicle
Drive to the marked parking spot per the stowage plan. Engage parking brake, shift to Park, turn off engine, and lock steering with wheels straight.
Place Wheel Chocks
Position one chock in front of the front-left tire and one behind the rear-right tire (diagonal pattern) with tight contact against each tire.
Attach Straps
Loop straps over front and rear wheels on opposite sides, attaching both ends to deck lashing points. Ensure straps aren't twisted.
Tighten and Inspect
Ratchet both straps to snug tension, taut but not over-tensioned. Verify all straps locked, chocks in place, no interference with adjacent vehicles. Push-test the vehicle. It should not move.
Regulations
Every RoRo vessel must carry an approved Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) specifying lashing arrangements, equipment capacities, and inspection procedures, required by international maritime law. The IMO CSS Code defines equipment strength requirements: securing systems must withstand 0.3-0.5g longitudinal, 0.5-0.8g transverse, and 0.3-0.5g vertical forces. European road and rail transport falls under EN 12195-1, covering minimum lashings based on cargo weight and driver training requirements.
Each vessel also has its own specific requirements on top of these, plus OEM transport guidelines and insurance mandates.
Common Mistakes
The three mistakes that cause the most damage:
- Insufficient lashing: using only 1-2 straps for an ocean voyage when the CSM calls for more. Follow the manual: minimum 2 straps for cars, 4+ for heavy vehicles on long voyages.
- Over-tightening: excessive tension compresses suspension or deforms tires. Straps should be taut but the vehicle shouldn't be visibly stressed.
- Wrong attachment points: strapping to bumpers, trim, or spoilers instead of wheels or chassis hard points. Always consult the vehicle's transport guide for approved securing points.
Other frequent issues: using worn/frayed straps that could fail under load, skipping mid-voyage inspections (mandatory after 30 minutes, then every 4-6 hours or after rough weather), and forgetting to engage the parking brake before lashing.
Lashing by Transport Mode
Requirements scale with voyage duration and forces: ocean RoRo (10-35 days, wave motion, 2-4 lashing points per car, corrosion-resistant equipment, inspect before departure and mid-voyage), rail (1-7 days, coupling shocks up to 1.0g, 2+ points per car, inspect at major stops), and truck (1-2 days, highway forces, 1-2 points per car, inspect at every fuel stop).
FAQ
How are vehicles secured on a RoRo ship?
Each vehicle is individually secured using wheel chocks to prevent rolling and nylon or polyester straps attached to deck lashing points. Heavy vehicles use steel chains instead of straps. The vessel's Cargo Securing Manual specifies the exact method, number of lashing points, and equipment type for each vehicle category. Professional stevedores handle all securing work.
What equipment is used for vehicle lashing?
Standard equipment includes rubber/plastic wheel chocks, nylon or polyester ratchet straps (25-50mm width) for passenger cars, and G70/G80 grade steel chains with load binders for heavy vehicles. High-value vehicles get padded soft straps and protective covers. All equipment must meet IMO CSS Code strength requirements and be inspected before each use.
What happens if a vehicle isn't properly secured during shipping?
The vehicle can shift, roll, or collide with adjacent vehicles, causing a chain reaction of damage across multiple units. In severe cases, unsecured cargo shifts the vessel's center of gravity, causing dangerous list or even capsizing. The responsible party (typically the stevedoring company) faces damage claims, regulatory penalties, and potential criminal liability if crew safety is compromised.