Container Securing Manual (CSM)

The Container Securing Manual, more commonly the Cargo Securing Manual, is the approved document that specifies how cargo and cargo units are stowed and secured on a specific ship, required by SOLAS Chapter VI Regulation 5 and Chapter VII for all ships other than those carrying solid or liquid bulk. For container ships it gives the permissible stack weights and heights, the lashing patterns and gear, and the maximum securing forces, derived from the ship’s accelerations and checked against the strength of twistlocks, lashing rods, and the container corner castings. The manual is drawn up to the IMO Guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1353 as revised) and approved by the flag Administration or its recognized organization. Loading that exceeds its limits is non-compliant.