Lloyd's Register Updated Cargo Securing Guidelines
Vessel and terminal operators should review updated standards for steel and general cargo stowage to streamline discharge.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Transportation
Live Poll
Do you trust that new industry safety guidelines will meaningfully reduce workplace injuries and cargo damage?
Lloyd's Register and Jurong Port have released revised Best Practice Guidelines for the Stowage and Securing of Steel & General Cargoes. The update provides refined recommendations for cargo handling to improve personnel safety and discharge efficiency.
Why it matters
Operational experience and recurring shipment deficiencies necessitated these updates to protect cargo integrity and on-site staff. By aligning practices with current global codes, operators can reduce downtime during loading and unloading sequences.
The revised guidelines represent an industry-wide update intended to apply to all global cargo operations involving steel and general goods. This update follows a comprehensive review of common cargo shipment deficiencies and operational outcomes.
The players
Lloyd's Register
A global professional services firm specializing in engineering and technology for the maritime industry.
Jurong Port
A major multipurpose port operator based in Singapore that manages international shipping and cargo logistics.
The details
The updated guidance provides actionable recommendations for stevedores, shippers, and vessel operators regarding dunnage arrangements and bundling methods. It specifically integrates provisions of the ISM Code and the IMO Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing to standardize lashing and segregation protocols. These changes aim to eliminate common handling errors that cause delays during terminal discharge operations.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: Publication of revised cargo securing guidelines.
Market Landscape
This revision aligns private industry standards with the established IMO Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing. It reflects a broader trend of tightening safety protocols as maritime operators seek to reduce losses from cargo shifting and damage during transit.
Operators should immediately review current stowage lashing and segregation protocols against these revised best practices. Integrating these updates now can prevent future inspection failures and reduce bottlenecks during cargo discharge.
The takeaway
Standardizing cargo stowage practices is a critical lever for reducing operational risk and maximizing terminal throughput. Management should audit current shipment deficiency reports to ensure their lashing and dunnage methods meet these updated global recommendations.
Further reading
For more on evolving logistics standards, explore our Transportation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by All About Shipping.
Live Poll
Do you trust that new industry safety guidelines will meaningfully reduce workplace injuries and cargo damage?
