Gap Between Containers In Length Direction

DEAR FRIENDS
i do not have enough space in the cargo hold to keep 76mm gap between the containers.
can i consider 3mm gap between them?
is it against any rule?
please see the attachment for more clarifications.

 

3 mm in ships is nothing. Consider, for example, variations in length due to temperature, with objects having very different coefficients of expansion. 40ºC for containers of upper rows and 28°C in lower rows, what will happen?

 

Not to mention the need for bracing and access by crew ..

http://www.standard-club.com/media/24168/AMastersGuidetoContainerSecuring2ndEdition-3.pdf

 

See ISO 3874.

 

I'm not sure that the crew circulated among the containers. It would seem, if possible, suicidal.
By the way, great information the pdf file.

 

They do. Part of their routine job. They move around in spaces where the stays are attached and tap on the cables/rods like a tuning fork to test if it is tight or loose and adjust accordingly. I saw it in one of the videos in YouTube.

 

it is not necessary to survey all of the twist locks during the voyage.
the mentioned vessel carry 18 containers in it's hold and rod lashing will not be used.just twist locks will be used.

 

So, how will the guys undo the twist locks before the crane swings them out ? The aren't going to fit into a few millimeters.

PS - more importantly - how are they going to fasten them during loading ?

 

min. gap as per rule can be 76mm or 51mm.i do not know how the guys undo the twist locks.

 

I guess they can get to them from the sides, but 103 mm wont be enough

 

The 76mm spacing comes from 3". The original container o/a lengths were 40ft, then a 20ft half length was 19' 10-1/2" o/a. There were 3" blocks that could join two 20ft's for lifting as one 40ft. I think you can still get them.
You need to maintain the 76mm so that you can carry 20's and 40's on the same twist-lock deck foundations, if the need arises. If you are certain that you will only carry 20's then you could reduce the gap to where you can still access and operate your twist-locks.. There is not going to be much gained.

Regarding the width, I am not certain if there is a set gap stipulated, but I know that the Seacell container that was developed to carry two or three Euro pallets, i.e. 2,400mm clear width inside, relied on this gap to get the side wall corrugations to "knit" together. I'm sure the gap was only 25mm, or 1" probably. The corrugations on the Seacell travel 29/32" into this space.
The twist-locks can normally be unlocked from the top or from the side of the container using long poles like boat hooks.
http://www.seacoglobal.com/equipment/specialised-containers/40ft-highcube-seacell/

 

To allow 5 TEU in line the hatch/hold will need to be >100ft 4-1/2".