Procedures For Securing Cargo On Board Ro-Ro Vessels: Let's Make Some Clarity

The need to shed light on the legal nature, in Italy, of the procedures for securing (lashing and unlashing) cargo¹ on board ro-ro vessels seems extremely topical at this time.

It should be recalled that cargo securing procedures are regulated by the SOLAS² Convention, under which cargo units and cargo transport units must be loaded, stowed and secured throughout the voyage in accordance with the Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) approved by the competent authority of the IMO³ Member State and drawn up to a standard at least equivalent to the guidelines developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Since 1998, all IMO-registered vessels are required to carry a Cargo Securing Manual, in which cargo securing (including lashing and unlashing) procedures must be described.