Cargo Stowage and Securing Regulations

3.1 General Requirements
3.1.1 The CSM shall be developed based on the documents listed in Section 1.3 of this Guide and the specific vessel's practical experience in stacking and securing cargo.
3.1.2 MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2 Revised Guidelines for the Preparation of Cargo Securing Manuals includes the format and content requirements of the CSM. However, not all sections or content are suitable for every ship.
3.1.3 Prior to developing the CSM, thorough investigations shall be conducted. Where necessary, crew feedback regarding cargo stowage and securing shall be considered. Concurrently, the following issues shall be addressed and taken into account:
(1) Whether the vessel is equipped with fixed cargo securing devices. For example, fixed securing points for securing vehicles on the deck of a roll-on/roll-off ship, or fixed securing devices for securing containers on the deck or hatch covers of a container ship; (2) Whether the vessel carries portable cargo securing devices. For example, turnbuckles, tensioners, lashing chains, lashing ropes, and lashing bars;
(3) Whether the cargo securing devices possess product certificates and markings indicating their maximum securing load; (4) Whether the ship has formal procedures for inspecting, maintaining, and renewing cargo securing devices; (5) Whether the ship has manuals for correctly operating cargo securing devices and properly securing cargo; (6) Whether the master has guidance documents for calculating the loads on securing devices to ensure they are suitable for their intended purpose;
(7) Whether bulk carriers require stacking cargo units, such as steel coils, logs, etc.
(8) On non-standard container vessels, to prevent excessive loads on containers at the bottom of the stack, does the captain possess the correct stacking and securing methods?
(9) Are the shipowner, cargo owner, and master aware of the maximum permissible cargo load for the hatch covers, deck, and cargo holds used for loading?
(10) When lashing to components such as side ribs, bulkhead stiffeners, and deck beams, is the load-bearing capacity of these structural members known?
3.1.4 A CSM developed for a specific vessel shall not be used for another vessel. For example, due to differences in cargo and securing equipment, the CSM for a dry cargo ship differs in format and content from that for a container ship.
3.1.5 For vessels carrying standard or semi-standard cargoes, full detailed information shall be provided regardless of whether their fixed lashing points or standardized lashing equipment have been previously approved.