OOSC, Part II, Item 2. Cargo Securement, l. Intermodal Containers - Inter-box Connectors

Clarification or Inspection Guidance on using inter-box connectors as corner securement.

Intermodal containers no longer have a minimum of eight corner castings. Now intermodal containers have corner castings and inter-box connections which are situated on either side of the container, usually a few feet back from each corner. These inter-box castings are used for vertical stacking of shipping containers. They use twist lock stacking pins. The pins are designed to safely and securely stack empty or loaded shipping containers vertically, they feature a twist lock action and are made to fit into container corner castings.

Can CVSA provide clarification or guidance on using inter-box connections as meeting a corner securement point. So, if a container has corner securement castings and also has the inter-box castings, would the use of the inter-box casting rather than using the provided corners securement castings meet the commodity specific securement standards of CFR 393.126? CFR 393.126 states all lower corners of the intermodal container must be secured to the container chassis. 393.126 What are the rules for securing intermodal containers? Securement of intermodal containers transported on container chassis vehicle(s). (1) All lower corners of the intermodal container must be secured to the container chassis with securement devices or integral locking devices that cannot unintentionally become unfastened while the vehicle is in transit. (2) The securement devices must restrain the container from moving more than 1.27 cm (1/2 in) forward, more than 1.27 cm (1/2 in) aft, more than 1.27 cm (1/2 in) to the right, more than 1.27 cm (1/2 in) to the left, or more than 2.54 cm (1 in) vertically. (3) The front and rear of the container must be secured independently.