The 5 best practice to load a container ( 2024 )
Shipping safety is the main primary objective in whole ocean freight process.
To load a container properly is the first step to achieve this target.
A number of shipping container accidents happed every year, a major cause is improperly loaded ways.
Meanwhile, containers that haven’t been loaded correctly pose the risk of damaging or losing cargo.
So how to properly load a shipping container ?
Here are 5 key points based on my 1o year forwarding experience.
1. Make sure container & cargo in good condition
When the empty shipping container is ready to be packed to supplier’s factory or warehouse,
The first thing to do is make sure the container is clean and dry.
Check that there are no holes, and it is functionally operative.
The floor area must be clear, undamaged and free of any protruding nails or screws that may damage the cargo.
You must also make sure that the container can cater for the required payload.
Then, the next step is to check cargo.
Make sure goods are correctly packed, marked, labelled and placarded.
It is important that none of the packaging is damaged prior to loading.
Pro Tips
Take photos when loading, it can be a proof to claim when you have bought the shipping insurance.
Pro Tips
The common standard is to fully use the capacity especially for consolidated shipping.
When choosing FCL shipping, no matter 20ft container or 40ft container, it’s recommended to use the entire space of the container.
That means from corner to corner and wall to wall.
If you don’t have enough cargo to cover, fill the empty spaces with dunnage.
Container loading software or free container loading calculator can help you calculationg how many container capacity needed.
2. Make cargo loading plan
When it comes to loading, the process should be planned well before the operations commence.
The load distribution must be considered, so that no more than half of the container bears more than 60 percent of the payload.
As a simple rule of thumb, heavier cargo goes on the bottom, and it must be distributed evenly over the floor area.
This will ensure that the shipping container is not proportionally heavy on any one side or corner.
Lighter cargo should then be stowed on top.
The same applies for wet and dry cargo, which goes at the bottom and on top, respectively.
Make sure that any incompatible cargo is properly segregated.
The physical characteristics such as weight, size, density, and whether they are liquids or solids, must be taken into account.
You must also consider cross-contamination by odour or dust.
When it comes to hazardous goods, ensure that you adhere to regulations and segregate the goods accordingly.
3. Securing the cargo when load a container
In heavy seas, the cargo within a shipping container is exposed to compressive forces, due to pitching and rolling of the vessel.
As a result, the normal strain on any securing devices may be increased by as much as 100%.
Clearly, it is important that you effectively secure the cargo within the container.
There are a number of methods available to secure cargo. Such as :
• palleting
• tie downs
• strapping
• dunnage
• fasteners
• direct
• friction lashing
• blocking
• bracing
There is a great deal of responsibility involved with securing a load, so it is important that your supplier have a solid understanding of these methods.
Pro Tips
How to load a container with pallets ?
You can get the answer from this comprehensive article of pallet shipping.
4. Pay attention to container seal
The seal is the shippers’ responsibility when FOB shipping.
You can get your forwarder to supply the seal, but it’s ultimately up to shippers to ensure that the seal number is noted correctly on all applicable documents.
But whether you are confused with conainer numumber and seal number ?
In fact, misconceptions about the container seal and the seal number happen more than you think.
An incorrect seal number can cause problems with customs clearance at destination.
This, in turn, may result in extra charges, including delay fees.
Pro Tips
Make sure seal number gets listed correctly on the B/L.
In the event that the numbers don’t match, contact your shipping line immediately and advise them of the situation.
5. Verifing the weight
Take note as to not to exceed the maximum container payload.
Typically, the maximum gross mass of a container is 24,000kg (52,900lbs) for a 20-foot dry containerand 30,480kg (67,200lbs) for a 40-foot dry container.
You can find each container’s weight capacity stated on the right door.
But note that this weight limit is usually much higher than the weight limit allowed on the road.
That said, if you’re loading a heavy container, make sure to check local regulations.
Pro Tips
It is best practice for the shipper to verify the gross mass ( VGM ) of the container before transport operations commence.
Bonus# Loading time is important
Timewise, there are a lot of factors that come into play when scheduling a loading date and time.
Certain things to keep in mind include the distance to the port.
When a driver picks up the container, he should make sure that he can make it back to the port before it closes and make the load time.
If not, you may incur extra charges for having to store the container overnight and for extra days of chassis usage and also possibly for extra dray from the truckers yard to the port.
In short, addtional costs may be incurred.
CONCLUSION
That’s it for my 5 tips to load a container properly for shipping safety.
No matter you are novice and veteran, I hope you can benefit from the guidance.
If you plan to ship from China, now or in the future, please contact me, and I will provide you with a solution subsequently.
