Securing points on road freight, road tank, and road livestock vehicles to be carried on roll on/ roll off ships that are over 45 metres in length

Road freight, road tank, and road livestock vehicles on roll on/roll off (ro-ro) ships need to be able to be secured to the ship. This is because unsecured vehicles can cause injuries to people, damage cargo, or the ship during a voyage. In some circumstances, such as in extremely bad weather, the movement of unsecured cargo, including vehicles, can affect the stability of the ship causing it to list or capsize.

This statement clarifies our position on:

• which road freight, road tank and road livestock vehicles on ro-ro ships are required to have securing points that meet a specified New Zealand Standard; and
• requirements for securing points to be readily and safely accessible.

Under specific circumstances the law requires road freight, road tank, and road livestock vehicles being carried on a ro-ro ship to have securing points that meet a New Zealand Standard

Maritime Rules Part 24B requires shippers of a road freight, road tank or road livestock vehicle must ensure that:

• their vehicle has securing points if it is to be carried on a New Zealand or foreign ro-ro ship of 45 metres or more, that undertakes coastal or international voyages after loading cargo at a New Zealand port; and
• the securing points on their vehicle comply with the requirements in Part 2 of the New Zealand Standard ‘Load anchorage for vehicles 5444.2005’ (the Standard) except:
  • the requirement for load carrying road vehicles weighing between 3.5 to 40 tonnes (gross vehicle mass) to have securing points excludes those being freighted for delivery purposes without payload.

Part 24B alters the application of the Standard so that the securing point requirements apply to all road freight, road tank, and road livestock vehicles with a gross mass of 3.5 tonnes or more.

We expect road freight, road tank, and road livestock vehicles with a gross mass of 3.5 tonnes or more carried on ro-ro ships of 45 metres or more to meet the requirements set out below

Shippers must ensure all road freight, road tank, and road livestock vehicles with a gross mass of 3.5 tonnes or more, with or without a load, to be carried on a ro-ro ship of 45 metres or more that undertakes coastal or international voyages after loading cargo at a New Zealand port:

• have securing points; and
• have securing points that meet NZS 5444.2005 including the requirement to be clearly marked, and located to ensure effective restraint of the vehicle by lashings and so that lashings can be readily and safely attached.

Readily and safely attached means that access to the securing points must:

• not be obstructed by anything; and
• be within easy reach of the crew.

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