The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) and Netherlands Coast Guard used drones to photograph sailing container ships 82 times in 2023 to check their lashings. In two-thirds of the inspections, the inspection showed that there was actually a violation.
A total of 63 ships were photographed to see if they had correctly lashed their container cargo. Based on the drone photographs, eighteen ships were inspected for correct lashing and stowage.
So even after the MSC Zoe disaster, lashing is still often inadequate. During inspections in 2023, inspectors therefore paid more attention to the use of computer software for lashing. In addition, a more comprehensive inspection and reporting system was developed for 2024 to provide a more detailed picture of the possible causes of improper lashing.
A so-called Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) is present on board ships. This CSM contains information on the use of lashing materials on board, such as examples of relevant lashing configurations.
Also read: Dutch ILT drones find lashing violations on container ships
CSMs insufficient
Conclusion after the inspections is that CSMs often do not contain enough information. The CSMs are insufficient to determine which lashing configurations should be applied in different situations. In addition, incorrect software (lashing modules in the cargo computer) is regularly used to determine which lashing configurations should be applied. As a result, too few lashings are applied when securing containers on the ship.
Since 2022, the ILT has been using drones with a camera to check lashings. The ILT Aerosensing team sails aboard the Coast Guard and from the ship, inspectors photograph sea-going vessels carrying containers. The Coast Guard ship sails mainly in the anchorage areas and in the approach to the port of Rotterdam, in the North Sea. Based on the photos, which an inspector analyses, a decision is then made to carry out a targeted lashing inspection on board when the ship is docked in the port.
Also read: These catalysts lead to containers being lost overboard
Baseline measurement
For years, it has been known that the cargo of ocean going container ships is not always properly secured. In 2009 and 2020, the ILT issued reports on the state of lashings on seagoing vessels. The first report followed the lashing theme inspection campaign that took place between 2005 and 2009. This report served as a baseline measurement to visualise the general state of lashings; 57 ships were reviewed at the time.
The second report, from 2020, describes the findings of inspections on 69 ships in 2019. These inspections were conducted in response to the increased focus on lashing issues that year: in early 2019, the container ship MSC Zoe lost a large number of containers on the Wadden Sea.
Also read: ‘Best opportunities to reduce risk of container stow collapse lie upstream’
How ILT uses drones to inspect ships
The ILT uses drones when inspecting container ships. The drones are equipped with small cameras that take aerial photographs of container ships passing by. Those photos can be taken at close range and in a safe manner. As a result, deployment of a helicopter is no longer necessary. In the video below (in Dutch), inspector Erik de Groot explains how he works, on board the Coast Guard vessel.
Also read: CMA CGM vessel loses 99 containers off South Africa
