Lashing system and method for use in cargo ships

A method of stabilizing shipping containers stored on a cargo ship, comprising:

• providing a lashing apparatus including a support capable of interfacing with an interlocking system of one or more shipping containers, and a lashing;
• securing the support to one or more shipping containers;
• coupling the lashing to the support;
• connecting an end of the lashing to another shipping container or to a structure of the cargo ship;
• further providing one or more lashing apparatus, each including a support capable of interfacing with an interlocking system of one or more shipping containers, and a lashing;
• lifting a lashing cage to transport an operator to a first support of at least one lashing apparatus, and
• connecting the lashing cage to the first support, the lashing cage comprising:
• a lower level having a handrail, the lower level being at least partially floorless;
• and
• an upper level having a handrail, the upper level having a floor, the lower level being accessible by the operator from the upper level.

A lashing apparatus for use on cargo ships transporting shipping containers, comprising:

• a support capable of interfacing with an interlocking system of one or more shipping containers;
• a lashing couplable to the support and having an end connectable to a clamp;
• and
• a track adapted to be secured to another shipping container or to a structure of a cargo ship;
• wherein the clamp is configured to slide on the track, and a position of the clamp along the track is adjustable.

A lashing apparatus for use on cargo ships transporting shipping containers, comprising:

• a support capable of interfacing with an interlocking system of one or more shipping containers;
• a lashing couplable to the support and having an end connectable to another shipping container or to a structure of a cargo ship;
• a foundation adapted to be secured to at least one of a lashing bridge, a lashing tie-rod, or a deck of the cargo ship;
• a first releasable connector mounted on the foundation;
• a second releasable connector included at the end of the lashing and adapted to be releasably coupled to the first releasable connector;
• an accelerometer coupled to the support or a load pin coupled to the foundation and capable of measuring tension in the lashing;
• wherein the accelerometer or the load pin is wirelessly connected to a computer;
• wherein the lashing is attached to a winch, and wherein the computer is programmed to drive the winch to automatically adjust a tension of the lashing based on data received from the accelerometer or the load pin.