Standard Container Lashing Eye Plate Specifications
Shipping containers are manufactured to ISO standards that define the specifications of the corner fittings and any internal lashing rings. The most referenced standards are:
- ISO 1161 — defines the dimensions and load requirements of series 1 freight container corner fittings, which serve as the primary lashing attachment points for ISO containers.
- ISO 3874 — covers handling and securing of series 1 freight containers, including the forces applied to corner fittings during lashing operations.
- IMO MSC.1/Circ.1352 — the International Maritime Organisation’s guidelines on packing cargo transport units (CTUs), which set context for lashing point requirements in sea freight.
- The CTU Code — provides practical guidance on lashing angles, securing forces, and the use of lashing equipment in conjunction with container fittings.
Standard internal lashing rings in general purpose shipping containers are typically rated for loads of 1,000kg, approximately 9.81kN, per ring under direct tension. Heavier purpose-built cargo containers and vessel lashing fixtures may carry ratings from 2,500kg to 15,000kg per point, depending on the vessel type and design specification.
Common Lashing Point Types in Container and Cargo Transport
| Fitting Type | Typical Load Rating |
|---|
| ISO corner fitting, GP container | 848kN minimum tensile — used for container-to-container or container-to-vessel lashing |
| Internal lashing ring, GP container | 1,000kg, 9.81kN, per ring — for cargo-to-container restraint |
| Heavy cargo container lashing rings | 2,500kg to 15,000kg per point — purpose-built for heavy or high-value cargo |
| Vessel cargo hold lashing eyes | Varies by vessel design — typically 3,000kg to 25,000kg per point for break-bulk holds |
| Road trailer D-rings | Varies — typically 2,000kg to 5,000kg in rated tie-down applications |
Matching Your Lashing System to the Eye Plate Rating
The lashing system — strap, buckle, and tensioner — must be selected to complement the eye plate rating. A lashing rated below the fitting wastes the fitting’s capacity. A lashing rated above the fitting means the fitting, not the lashing, becomes the failure point.
DunLash woven polyester lashing is independently tested and SGS certified, providing verified system breaking strengths across the full range of commercial lashing applications. All results are the mean of three separate tests on calibrated tensile testing apparatus.
DunLash Lashing System Breaking Strengths
| DunLash Lashing | System Breaking Strength |
|---|
| DunLash 105, 32mm, with heavy-duty buckle | Up to 2,850daN, approximately 2.9 tonnes |
| DunLash 200, 42mm, with Dynablock buckle | Up to 9,580daN, approximately 9.8 tonnes |
| DunLash 200, 42mm, with heavy-duty H buckle | Up to 9,450daN, approximately 9.6 tonnes |
| DunLash 750, 50mm, with Dynablock buckle | Up to 13,850daN, approximately 14.1 tonnes |
| DunLash 750, 50mm, with heavy-duty H buckle | Up to 13,710daN, approximately 14.0 tonnes |
MSL, or Maximum Securing Load, is the working load used in cargo securing calculations and is set at 50% of the system breaking strength. For the DunLash 750 this means an MSL of approximately 6,925daN, or 7 tonnes, per lashing.
CTU Code Requirements for Container Lashing Points
The CTU Code requires that cargo lashing systems are used correctly with the designated attachment points on the container or cargo transport unit. Key requirements include:
- Lashing must be attached to designated lashing rings or corner fittings — not to structural rails, beams, or other non-designated points.
- The lashing angle relative to the horizontal plane affects the effective securing force — steeper angles reduce horizontal restraint effectiveness.
- The number of lashings required is calculated based on cargo weight, transport conditions, and the MSL of the chosen lashing product.
- The 15cm rule: cargo must not protrude more than 15cm beyond the container door sill unless additional securing measures are in place.
DunLash provides cargo securing assessments to help clients calculate the correct number of lashings, verify compliance with the CTU Code, and select the right product for the load, route, and transport mode.
