Ladungssicherung

What is cargo securing?

Cargo securing encompasses all technical and organizational measures used to fix goods in a vehicle, container, or trailer so that they can neither shift nor tip, nor, in the worst case, come loose. The obligation to secure loads safely arises from road traffic regulations and is shared by the shipper, the driver, and the company commissioning the transport. Which party bears what share of responsibility depends on the specific contract and the design of the handover process.

Methods and aids in practice

Two fundamental principles are applied in intralogistics and at the goods dispatch stage:

• Form-fit securing: The cargo is stowed in such a way that it is physically prevented from moving by adjacent goods, vehicle walls, blocking bars, or dunnage. Gaps in the load space that would allow shifting must be closed.
• Force-fit securing: Lashing straps, tie-down straps, or nets generate a tie-down force that presses the cargo against the vehicle floor, thereby increasing friction. Anti-slip mats provide additional support for this effect.

In practice, both methods are frequently combined. Which combination is appropriate depends on weight, center of gravity, stackability, and the mode of transport — road, rail, sea, and air each place different requirements on the permissible forces.

Load unit securing also plays a complementary role: it first stabilizes the pallet or box itself — for example, using stretch film or edge protectors — before the actual vehicle securing takes effect. Both are necessary, but neither replaces the other.

What matters when it comes to selection and organization

For logistics managers and warehouse planners, three areas of action are particularly relevant:

• Material selection: Lashing equipment must be suited to the permissible gross weight and the cargo. Quality marks and standard compliance of the equipment must be verified — which specific standard applies depends on the vendor and the country.
• Process and handover: Who secures the load, when, and how is this documented? At the interface between the warehouse and the carrier, ambiguities about responsibilities frequently arise. These should be clearly defined in carrier contracts and internal work instructions.
• Training and record-keeping: Employees in goods dispatch and driving personnel require regular training. Training records are part of compliance documentation and may be relevant in the event of a claim.

Whether a standardized checklist, a digital documentation system, or a combination of both is appropriate depends on transport volume and the maturity of existing processes — blanket recommendations are of little use here.