Achieving a tight fit by lashing

Lashing refers to the use of steel strapping, chains, steel wire, textile straps, ropes and other securing materials which are fixed, on the one hand, to the package and, on the other hand, to the CTU and then tensioned lightly. The important factors that determine the effectiveness of the lashings are the quality of the materials and the fixing points as well as the directions in which the lashings work. This means that lashing angles also play a critical role. Lashing a package is intended to prevent it from moving longitudinally or laterally and to stop it rising from the loading surface or tipping. A lashing is used to create a tight fit. The term direct lashing is also used.
 The quantity and thickness of the required lashings will depend on the weight of the load that is to be secured, on the anticipated forces, on the maximum securing load of the lashings and the lashing angles. More information can be found in the relevant sections dealing with the materials and in the lashing examples.
 
Lashing has a less important role to play when securing packages in box containers. Since the lashing points in the container usually have a maximum securing load of 1,000 daN (corresponds to a mass of approximately 1 t), the use of lashing must be restricted to lighter packages. Another consideration is the fact that lashing points are often not accessible as a result of spatial restrictions and the space occupied by packages. When securing loads in open top containers a higher MSL can generally be assumed - often in the region of 2,000 daN (corresponds to a mass of approximately 2 t). Platform-style containers, on the other hand, offer good lashing facilities, which means that lashing is virtually indispensable on such cargo transport units.