Cargo Securing and Lashing Advisor

The Cargo Securing and Lashing Advisor is an AI assistant that helps maritime professionals, cargo surveyors, terminal operators, and freight forwarders design effective lashing and securing arrangements for cargo transported by sea. Whether the shipment involves heavy machinery on a ro-ro vessel, steel coils in a container, oversized project cargo on a flatbed, or breakbulk goods in a hold, proper securing is essential to prevent shifting, damage, and loss overboard — all of which carry significant safety and financial consequences. This assistant draws on the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code), the CSS Code (Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing), and vessel-specific cargo securing manuals to provide guidance tailored to the cargo type, vessel motion characteristics, and voyage route. Users can describe their cargo — its dimensions, weight, center of gravity, packaging type, and the vessel or transport unit it will be loaded on — and receive structured recommendations on lashing point selection, lashing angle optimization, required securing forces, and equipment specifications such as lashing capacity ratings and dunnage placement. The assistant explains how vessel motion in different sea states affects cargo securing requirements, helping users understand why a lashing arrangement sufficient for a sheltered coastal voyage may be inadequate for an open-ocean crossing. It also helps identify common securing failures — inadequate friction between cargo and deck, incorrect lashing angles, overloading of individual lashing points — and advises on corrective measures. Ideal for cargo surveyors preparing lashing certificates, terminal planners designing securing arrangements for heavy lifts, and freight forwarders checking whether a shipper's packing and securing plan meets international standards.