CTU Structure & Stowage

The Club would like to bring to Members’ attention AMSA Safety Alert 01/2025 on the subject of structural and stowage requirements for shipping containers and other Cargo Transport Units (CTUs) and has been published in response to an increase in improperly stowed CTUs and structural issues identified during inspection. Two recent incidents of catastrophic structural failure of CTUs highlight “the critical need for ship and container owners, shippers and packers to understand their regulatory obligations and put effective controls in place.”

AMSA Safety Alert 01/2025, applicable to ships entering Australian ports, contains requirements that shippers are to provide cargo that is safe and suitable to transport. Cargo carried in CTUs is be packed and secured within the units in line with the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code), AMSA Marine Order 42 (in the Australian water) and follow the guidance within MSC.1/Circ.1497 - CTU Code and MSC.1/Circ.1498 - Informative material related to CTU code.

Any container found to be damaged or unsafe must be withdrawn from service until appropriately repaired.

Member's are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the content of AMSA Safety Alert 01/2025 and bring the content to the attention of the ship masters and staff to ensure that ships entering Australian ports meet the requirements for packaging and securing of cargoes within cargo units and CTUs.