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New cargo securing guidance prioritises personnel safety and reduces damage risks. Lloyd's Register (LR) has worked with Jurong Port in Singapore to revise its Best Practice Guidelines for Stowage and Securing of Steel & General Cargoes, placing personnel safety at the heart of cargo operations. The updated guidance aims to ensure the safety of all personnel engaged in cargo handling activities, while also helping prevent cargo damage and improve the efficiency of discharge operations across ports and supply chains. Despite advances in vessel design and cargo handling, poor stowage, inadequate securing arrangements and inconsistent cargo presentation continue to contribute to cargo damage, operational delays and safety incidents. As supply chains become more complex and project cargoes and steel products continue to grow in size and value, ensuring cargo is prepared correctly before it reaches the port has become increasingly important. The new guidance seeks to address these challenges by promoting a more consistent and practical approach to cargo preparation, stowage and securing. It provides practical recommendations for cargo owners, shippers, vessel operators, stevedores and terminal operators to reduce risk throughout the cargo handling process. The revised guidelines were assessed against key international regulations, including the IMO Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code), IMO MSC.1/Circ.1353 on Cargo Securing Manuals, relevant provisions of the ISM Code and recognised industry best practice for the transport and handling of general cargo. LR's review focused on the practical realities of transporting and discharging general cargoes, covering areas such as cargo accessibility, segregation, dunnage arrangements, bundling methods, lashing practices and the presentation of cargo for safe and efficient stevedoring operations. Discover more Cargo freight services Shipping news subscription The revised guidance also incorporates lessons learned from operational experience and common deficiencies observed in general cargo shipments. Taylor Wamburg, Regional Advisory Lead, Lloyd's Register, said: "The industry continues to see avoidable cargo damage, safety risks and operational disruption resulting from poor stowage, inadequate securing arrangements and insufficient consideration of discharge requirements. "Good guidance bridges the gap between regulatory requirements and the practical realities of cargo operations. By working with Jurong Port to update these guidelines, we are helping the industry adopt safer, more consistent practices that protect people, cargo and vessels while supporting more efficient port operations." Willie Liao, Senior Manager, Strategic Port Planning & Transformation, Jurong Port, said: "Good stowage, adequate securing and careful planning for discharge requirements are critical to safe and efficient cargo operations. "By working with Lloyd's Register to strengthen these guidelines, we aim to promote greater consistency in industry practices that reduce safety risks, cargo damage and operational disruptions, while improving the productivity and reliability of cargo handling." Source: Lloyd's Register

Lloyd's Register launches new guidance to support consistency in yacht load line compliance. September 25, 2026 1 view New Guidance Note aims to bring greater consistency to the application of load line requirements as yacht designs become larger and more complex. Lloyd's Register (LR) has published a new Guidance Note for Load Line to Yachts, providing practical recommendations to support the consistent application of load line requirements across the sector. Launched at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026, the guidance has been developed to help yacht designers, builders, owners, Flag Administrations and surveyors navigate areas where interpretation of load line requirements may vary between projects. By providing a practical framework and clear recommendations, LR aims to reduce uncertainty and promote greater consistency during design and construction while supporting safe operation throughout a yacht's service life. The Guidance Note has been developed as a ready-to-use resource, supporting technical teams throughout design appraisal, plan approval and survey activities. It reflects LR's commitment to providing practical, responsive support to an industry facing increasing regulatory complexity and growing demand for consistency across projects. As yacht designs continue to evolve, with larger vessels, innovative arrangements and more ambitious layouts becoming commonplace, stakeholders are seeking greater certainty during design, approval and construction. While load line requirements remain a cornerstone of vessel safety, their application to modern yachts can often require careful technical assessment and engineering judgement. LR's new guidance seeks to bring greater consistency to that process by capturing industry experience, clarifying key considerations and supporting a common approach to compliance. The publication recognises that acceptance of any project-specific arrangement, interpretation or equivalent solution remains subject to review and approval by the relevant Flag Administration. Any criteria, recommendations or solutions are intended to help stakeholders and Administrations take a consistent approach, while recognising the statutory authority of the Flag Administration in each case. Engel-Jan de Boer, Global Yacht Segment Director, Lloyd's Register, said: "As yachts become larger and more complex, All About Shipping is seeing increasing demand from designers, builders, owners and Administrations for greater clarity and consistency in the application of load line requirements. While the regulations themselves are well established, there are areas where interpretation can vary depending on vessel arrangement and design. "Our new Guidance Note has been developed to support more consistent decision-making across projects, helping stakeholders address regulatory challenges earlier in the design process and reducing uncertainty during construction. Ultimately, it is about supporting safety while enabling innovation within the yacht sector." The publication follows the release of the industry-wide Load Line Guidance for Yachts developed by the Yacht Safety & Environmental Consortium (YSEC), a collaboration between leading classification societies including LR, RINA, ABS, Bureau Veritas and DNV, at Monaco Yacht Show 2026. As Chair of YSEC for the 2024-2026 term, LR has played a leading role in driving industry collaboration on yacht safety and regulatory consistency.

World's largest yacht-dedicated shiplift receives LR classification. (L-R) Javier De Juana, Spain Director at Lloyd's Register; Mónica Aznar, daughter of Alejandro Aznar; Alejandro Aznar, President of Grupo Ibaizabal; Panos Mitrou, Senior Vice President - Shipping Strategy at Lloyd's Register; and Miquel Lliteras, Managing Director of VMG Astilleros de Sagunto The 5,000-tonne facility at VMG Astilleros de Sagunto expands capacity for large-yacht refit and maintenance projects, strengthening Spain's position as a growing superyacht service hub. Lloyd's Register (LR) has presented class certification for the world's largest yacht-dedicated shiplift to VMG Astilleros de Sagunto at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026. Classed by LR in April 2026, the 5,000-tonne shiplift enables the safe handling of some of the world's largest yachts and expands capacity for major refit, repair and maintenance projects in the region. Located in Sagunto, Spain, the facility features a 102-metre-long, 22-metre-wide platform and is the largest yacht-focused shiplift of its kind globally. Once lifted, vessels are transferred to land-level repair berths, 76,800 square metres of hard-standing area, using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), a technology that offers greater manoeuvrability and precision than traditional bogie systems. Through classification, LR has independently verified that the shiplift complies with its Regulations for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment, providing assurance that the facility meets recognised standards for safety and operational integrity The certification comes as demand for large-yacht refit infrastructure continues to grow. With the global fleet of large and complex yachts expanding, shipyards are investing in higher-capacity facilities capable of accommodating larger vessels and increasingly sophisticated lifecycle projects. The facility is central to their ambition to establish Astilleros de Sagunto as a leading superyacht service hub. Earlier this year, VMG Astilleros de Sagunto and Astilleros de Mallorca announced a strategic partnership to create a new mainland Spain centre for superyacht refit and maintenance, extending service capabilities for yachts exceeding 75 metres. Engel-Jan de Boer, Global Yacht Segment Director, Lloyd's Register, said: "As the global fleet of large yachts continues to evolve, access to specialist refit infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. "Facilities such as VMG's provide the capacity needed to support some of the largest yachts in operation today while helping owners maintain safety, reliability and performance throughout a vessel's lifecycle. "This classification demonstrates VMG's commitment to recognised international standards and strengthens the Mediterranean's position as a leading centre for superyacht maintenance, refit and lifecycle support." Miquel Lliteras, Managing Director of VMG Astilleros de Sagunto, said: "This recognition reinforces VMG Astilleros de Sagunto's commitment to professional standards in the superyacht refit and repair sector. "It provides owners, captains and yacht managers with additional confidence in our processes and capabilities, reflecting our dedication to quality, technical expertise and continuous improvement."