lastro

Lastro is a term in the Portuguese language that designates weight or load used to stabilize a vessel or other floating structure. In a figurative sense, it also refers to backing or support that provides security to a transaction or operation.

In sailing and maritime contexts, the lastro is the weight added to ballast tanks to control draft, trim, and the overall stability of the ship. It can be solid ballast (lastro seco) or liquid ballast (água de lastro). The use of ballast water allows quick adjustments between voyages, but it requires environmental management to prevent the spread of invasive species, following regulations such as the International Maritime Organization’s Ballast Water Management Convention, which includes treatment, water exchange, and safe disposal practices.

In finance and economics, lastro denotes backing or assets that support a financial instrument or transaction. Examples include asset-backed securities (títulos lastreados por ativos) or the concept of lastro de ouro (gold backing) for currencies. The term is used to describe the guarantee or reserve assets that give value or credibility to a financial arrangement, and it can apply to regimes where money is backed by tangible assets.

Historically, the practice of using ballast in ships dates to early modern navigation and remains fundamental for vessel safety and performance. The metaphorical use of lastro as backing or collateral has evolved with modern financial instruments, maintaining the core idea of stability and security provided by a supporting asset.