Whitepaper - Loadspreading and Seafastening

INTERMARINE, LLC
BUILT ON PERFORMANCE WHITE PAPER
Load Spreading and Seafastening

By: Captain Brian Powney, Elissa Clark and Samuel Vernon
Intermarine Technical Department
Circa 1760, the rise of the Industrial Age in Great These organizations have developed
Britain was primarily characterized by power driven recommendations unifying procedures and calculation
technology that replaced hand operated tools. These methods to ensure safe ocean transportation and to
technologies included the steam engine which gave rise keep up with the tremendous increase in offshore
to locomotives, steamboats, and by 1815, the golden age projects. There is an obvious need to follow these
of massive ocean transportation vessels. In turn, these guidelines very closely when handling heavier,
advancements enabled the worldwide transportation of over-dimensional cargo.
the proliferation of manufactured goods via global
waterways. Engineering Calculations
As manufactured goods became larger, heavier, Significant planning, analysis and
and more complex, the multipurpose fleets became documentation are all required before executing a
more diversified. Crane capacities and deck strengths project loadout. Advanced heavylift shipping companies
increased and we witnessed the introduction of ro-ro prepare a detailed method statement that will include a
and semisubmersible vessels. As recently as four stowage plan, lifting arrangement, materials list, load
decades ago, a unit of a mere 60mt was considered a spreading arrangement, securing plan, and risk
heavy lift for a marine vessel. At Intermarine, LLC, we assessment. The document will also include all the
are geared for a maximum lift of 1,400mt, however, required supporting documentation and certification for
some vessels in the world’s fleet have a capacity the loadout.
approaching 3,000mt.
In the past, these types of calculations were
In today’s developing world, large infrastructure performed mostly by hand and were based on the
projects are becoming more and more prevalent. Large accepted engineering principles of the time. Today
power stations, oil refineries, and LNG plants were sophisticated engineering software and various
initially “stick built”. This system involved shipping small spreadsheet-based modeling techniques are utilized for
components which were assembled at the site. complex equations and formulas for securing,
accelerations, strength, and other dynamic factors. In
Inevitably, lack of resources, skilled labor and addition, commercially available software has reached
complicated supply chains resulted in significant delays the Marine Industry. A few examples of these are Visual
and cost overruns. Today we see a significant increase in Cargo Care for securing calculations, MACS3 for stability
modularization whereby large components are calculations, and AutoCAD, SolidWorks and ANSYS for
fabricated at an industrial facility, shipped to the final 3D modeling and stress analysis (Figure 1).
destination, and then rolled into position. This process
typically requires vessels with large crane capacities or
ro-ro capabilities. At Intermarine, LLC we have moved
transformers, reactors, and turbine packages weighing
in excess of 800mt. In addition, large wind turbines and
blades are also carried on a regular basis. The carriage
of all these commodities presents specific load
spreading and securing challenges.
Regulatory Agencies
Various international regulatory organizations,

such as International Maritime Organization, GL/DNV
and Noble Denton have been instrumental in drafting
and enforcing rules and guidelines specific to this
industry. (Figure 1)
1 of 3 | Load Spreading and Seafastening

INTERMARINE, LLC
cargo footprint will indicate whether the limit is

exceeded. Container stack weights and line loads are
also provided by the hatch cover manufacturers.
When planning for heavier cargo more detailed

calculations are required that consider the various
forces that are experienced in a seaway and additional
materials that may be required to distribute the weight
over an acceptable area. Materials such as timber, crane
(Figure 2) mats, I-beams, or steel load spreading mats (Figure 3)
may be utilized to achieve adequate load spreading.
Lifting and Spreader Beams
A spreader bar is a lifting device which is

connected to a vessels crane hook or hooks. A single
longitudinal beam may be fixed or adjustable in length
and may consist of one set of lift/drop points or multiple
lift/drop points to offer flexibility during lifting
operations (Figure 2). A single longitudinal bar can be
used to perform a tandem lift, whereby, two cranes are
used to lift a unit whose weight exceeds the capacity of
one crane.
As cargo weights and dimensions have (Figure 4)

increased, so has the need for more complex spreader
bar configurations. Combinations of longitudinal and Cargo Securing
transverse bars are becoming more common for larger
units such as turbines and locomotives. In some cases, After the load spreading materials have been
cargoes such as process modules may require a installed, and the cargo is safely loaded using the
combination of eight bars to minimize the possibility of approved lifting device, the cargo must be secured for
structural damage. Detailed lifting plans are prepared to ocean transportation (Figure 4). All ocean going vessels
show the spreader bar configuration and rigging have a cargo securing manual on board that is normally
arrangement that are planned to handle the cargo. drafted by the hatch cover manufacturer. It defines how
containers should be secured and also includes basic
information on forces and accelerations that may be
expected. Simple formulas are included that can be used
to calculate the required securing for non-standardized
cargo.
Heavier, larger units require more detailed

calculations. As with engineering calculations, load
spreading calculations were initially calculated by hand.
However, maritime cargo securing software and
programs such as Visual Cargo Care are now readily
(Figure 3) available for commercial use. These programs
accurately calculate acceleration forces, lashing and
securing requirements, and create the necessary
Load Spreading reports for inclusion in the method statements.
As unit loads have increased, so has the need for The materials used for sea fastening vary
detailed load spreading calculations. The permissible according to the cargo specifics, but generally include
tons/m2 allowance is normally readily available and is welded stoppers and clips, chains, wires and
commonly sufficient for most loads. A comparison to the turnbuckles, and nylon belts.

INTERMARINE, LLC
The project was completed safely, efficiently and

economically because all the work was managed
through Intermarine’s Quality and HSE Management
systems. The company ensured that all policies,
standard operating procedures and risk assessments
were followed. Intermarine’s Quality Manager and HSE
Director was consulted when there was any doubt about
which method or equipment was to be used.
The Future
All indications are that we will see more

modularization, with corresponding increases in unit
weights and dimensions. Project Managers will have to
ensure construction is completed on time, with minimal
(Figure 5) damages, and within budget. Ocean transportation is a
vital part of achieving this. In recent years we have seen
Case Study considerable advancements in training and technology.
Ships staff are trained on crane simulators prior to
Intermarine recently loaded a ship loader joining the vessel and schooled on the procedures for
(Figure 5) in Porto Marghera (Venice, Italy) and safely loading and discharging heavylifts. Modern vessels are
delivered it to Corpus Christi, Texas. The loadout fitted with sophisticated ballast systems to ensure all
presented many diverse challenges due the nature of the stability requirements are satisfied and cranes that can
cargo. The main unit had overall dimensions of 22.8m x be operated from the main deck level. Advanced
24.4m x 36.9m and a gross weight of 320mt. The extreme Dynamic Positioning Systems ensure a vessel can
height resulted in a hook height problem that was maintain its position and heading offshore by using its
resolved by designing a custom made lifting own propellers and thrusters.
arrangement. The cargo height also contributed to the
excessive forces that were overcome by an intricate At Intermarine, we have fully staffed Technical
securing web of lashing wires and turnbuckles (Figure 6). offices throughout the world with qualified personnel to
ensure the clients and their warranty surveyors that
The main body and the boom section were detailed planning is our top priority. As the market and
shipped separately and the client requested that they be technology continue to evolve, so will the capabilities of
reassembled on the dock. This was successfully our technical staff.
achieved by utilizing the ship’s cranes in a tandem lift
operation.
Intermarine was able to offer the right ship at the

right price along with the personal attention of our
professional Port Captain. Our vessel, the MV Ocean
Globe, was nominated for the project as she had
sufficient crane capacity, outreach, and hook height to
handle the main body. A tremendous amount of planning
is involved in a project of this magnitude, which requires
the participation of the Technical, Operations, and
Commercial Departments. Roughly 300 man hours went
in to planning this particular project, while 40 man hours
were involved in both the loading and discharge.
Adequate planning reduces the possibility of accidents,
loss of life or injury, material damage, and time lost on
the vessel. Projects such as this typically have long lead
times. As such, damages or delays will inevitably result in (Figure 6)
liquidated damages with a tremendous financial impact.

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INTERMARINE, LLC

BUILT ON PERFORMANCE WHITE PAPER

Load Spreading and Seafastening

Various international regulatory organizations,

1 of 3 | Load Spreading and Seafastening

cargo footprint will indicate whether the limit is

When planning for heavier cargo more detailed

Lifting and Spreader Beams

A spreader bar is a lifting device which is

As cargo weights and dimensions have (Figure 4)

Heavier, larger units require more detailed

2 of 3 | Load Spreading and Seafastening

The project was completed safely, efficiently and

All indications are that we will see more

Intermarine was able to offer the right ship at the

3 of 3 | Load Spreading and Seafastening

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