It is that time of the year again, where we face challenges with weather conditions for our shipping services. We would like to take this opportunity to respectfully remind our clients of some important requirements for the safe transport of freight units, whilst at sea and kindly ask you to review your loading and securing routines.

Under the ACOP (Approved Code of Practice), the load within the trailer should be secured independently of the trailer infrastructure / boards and curtain. DFDS will arrange spot checks on trailers prior to shipping and units with insufficiently secured cargo will be on hold pending further attention. As a guidance, the “Quick Lashing Guide Informative Material 5 of the IMO Circular 1498” provides you with the necessary information. Please visit the link below: http://www.unece.org/trans/wp24/guidelinespackingctus/intro.html Go to Key documents chose Informative Material (EN) and print or read page 65 to 119.

We also remind you that all freight units are to be fitted with sufficient / suitable points to allow the unit to be adequately secured to the vessel during the voyage. These requirements are in accordance with existing regulations and codes of practice. We have also noted some trailers arriving to our terminals with open canopies. This can also cause damages to trailers and the cargo inside. Please inform your drivers, when dropping off trailers at our terminals, to check the canopy, spansets and the tension rods.

We trust you understand our continued concerns and welcome your actions towards assisting DFDS to prevent the potential for damage to cargo, unit and vessel.

DFDS Freight