Moving Out-of-Gauge (OOG) cargo on Flat Racks presents unique safety and logistical challenges. Unlike standard containers where the box itself contains the load, a flat rack acts merely as a heavy-duty platform. The responsibility for ensuring the cargo remains secure throughout the entire journey—from port terminal to high seas—rests entirely on precise lashing and securing procedures.
For logistics managers and port personnel, adherence to rigorous securing protocols is not optional; it is essential to prevent catastrophic damage, costly delays, and serious safety incidents.
1. The Anchor of Safety: Utilizing Lashing Points
The flat rack’s most critical safety feature is its robust floor structure, which contains numerous lashing points. These heavy-duty steel rings are the only attachment points certified to withstand the immense forces (accelerations, pitch, and roll) experienced at sea.
- Lashing Equipment: Never rely on ropes or light-duty straps. Securing OOG cargo requires industrial-grade materials:
- Steel Chains: Used for heavy machinery and dense cargo, offering minimal stretch and maximum strength.
- Polyester Webbing/Straps: Used for lighter, more sensitive cargo where chains might cause damage.
- Turnbuckles and Chain Binders: Essential tools used to tension the chains and straps, ensuring there is zero slack in the securing system.
- The Golden Rule: Every major component of the cargo must be secured using multiple lashing systems, with lines running across, over, and through the cargo to prevent shifting in any direction (forward, backward, or sideways).
2. Cargo Stability: Center of Gravity (CoG) and Weight
The success of a flat rack shipment begins with correct weight distribution.
- CoG Placement: The cargo’s Center of Gravity (CoG) must be positioned as close to the center of the flat rack floor as possible. Positioning heavy loads too high or too close to one side dramatically increases the risk of instability during vessel movements.
- Spreading the Load: Flat rack floors are exceptionally strong but still have limits. When securing high-pressure point loads (like the tracks of an excavator), use heavy timber planks (dunnage) to distribute the weight evenly across the entire surface area of the flat rack floor. This prevents damage to the flat rack and ensures the weight meets the certification requirements.
3. The M&R Factor: Avoiding Costly Delays
In the logistics industry, M&R (Missing & Restow) refers to the costly and time-consuming process of correcting shifting or damaged cargo.
- Risk of Shifting: If cargo shifts even slightly during transit, it can be flagged as dangerous upon arrival at a transshipment port. This often requires the container to be pulled aside, delaying the shipment and forcing expensive restowage (re-securing) by specialized port labor.
- Port Penalties: Shippers are held liable for these delays and the associated costs, which include demurrage, detention, and the M&R fees themselves. Thorough initial securing is an investment that prevents these massive, unpredictable penalties.
4. Protecting Exposed Assets: Shrink Wrap and Tarpaulins
Since flat rack cargo is exposed to the elements, protection is a final, vital step for sensitive items.
- Rust Prevention: Machinery or components with sensitive electrical parts must be protected from salt spray and rain. Industrial heat-shrink wrap creates a weatherproof seal around the cargo, protecting it from corrosion.
- Tarpaulin Use: For less sensitive but still vulnerable items (like large pipe sections), heavy-duty tarpaulins, secured by additional lashing belts, should be used to minimize exposure to wind and water damage.
To secure your specialized Flat Racks and ensure your OOG project cargo is safe from dockside to destination, trust industrial-grade equipment and preparation. Find the right solutions for your project cargo needs at fredemi.org.
