Container Maintenance – Types of Container Damage

Container Maintenance – Different types of container damages

Container maintenance is an important process to ensure that the flow of maritime logistics is uninterrupted. However, container damage is unavoidable and can occur at any stage of transportation, from loading to unloading. Ultimately, container owners and shipping companies will pay for these various costs, even if it’s not their fault.

The main reason the container is damaged

“One of the four containers passing through a US port is damaged at several interchange points,” Freightwaves said. Damage can be the result of a natural disaster, human error, or machine malfunction. The first human error is usually the wrong choice of freight container. Anything that can affect how well the cargo is packed and how damage to the cargo can be avoided. Once you have the right container, you need to investigate previous damage, odors, holes, ventilation, cleanliness, temperature control, and proper flooring. When the surveyor shines a green light on the container, the container can be stowed. This will allow us to move on to the next issue, storage.

Bad storage is one of the biggest reasons for physical damage to a container. Overloading of containers, uneven distribution of weight, loose restraint of cargo, or improper use of dunnage can cause cargo to sway during transport. This results from a lack of shipper supervision, a lack of knowledge about loading cargo, and an attempt to save costs without understanding the consequences.

The next influential factor in container damage is the weather. The weather is unpredictable and causes internal and external damage. The air near the sea is moist and settles in cold regions when trapped in a container. As the container moves to hot areas, moisture condenses into water, climbs walls and ceilings, and begins to drip, causing rain in the container. This can cause the walls of the container to rust and corrode.

The container can be considered not worth using due to contamination. They can be contaminated with pests and sometimes odors. For example, a container that previously carried food can convey the odor to the next freight item, such as clothing.

Container damage also occurs during loading and unloading. Inexperienced fork lifters can cause flat tires, dents, uneven stacking, or container drops. If the dents or holes do not cause significant damage, you can apply the patch. Due to damage, the container will withstand in transit and in transit. The box should be inspected on a regular basis. One thing to check is the maximum load stacking capacity before starting the warp. This is also known as the container racking test.

Types of container damage and how to avoid them

Physical damage to a container can occur at all transportation points, from loading or unloading to improper container handling. This also affects the condition of the container, which affects the cost and usage of the container. Below is a list of the most common damages and some preventative tips.

Broken container door:

This can be caused by improper handling of the container, inadvertent fixation of the container during loading, a car accident, or robbery.

Tip: The container frame should be checked in the terminal. If you do not notify the shipper prior to shipping, repair it if possible.

Total loss of container on board:

It can occur when the ship is shaking due to bad weather, sinking, poor container stacking, incorrect weight declaration, and poor cargo loading.

Tip: Crew members should respond to weather-related warnings, track colegs to avoid storms and collisions, perform proper lashing, and regularly check lashing conditions.

Container with dented scratches

It is caused by poor handling of containers by forklifts, disposal with other containers, and traffic accidents.

Tip: Check the frame at the dispatch point and educate drivers and crane operators on proper handling.

Dropped container:

This can be due to a forklift failure, container overload, or improper handling.

Tip: Check the casting conditions of the container, stack the containers symmetrically and do not overload the container.

Heat damage:

A fire broke out on board because of an erroneously declared item on the container.

Tip: Comply with IMDG Code Regulations for Separation / Heat Sources and do not store near heated areas.

Container hole:

Poor handling of the forklift can cause a flat tire or hit other vehicles or containers.

Tip: Set a maintenance schedule for your container and regularly inspect it for corrosion, wear, and damage.

Traffic accident:

Bad weather, bad roads, bad weather and driver fatigue can damage the container.

Tip: Road carriers need to be professionals on the road. Check the appropriate storage location.

Train derailment:

It is caused by exceeding the speed limit, bad railroad tracks, bad weather, and driver fatigue.

Tip: Check the optimum operating conditions.

As we have just seen, containers experience a lot when traveling around the world. Therefore, the company inspects the container and equipment before or after leasing the container. Want to know more about these tests? Read everything about them and container surveyors here.

Proper Container maintenance today to save tomorrow’s fixed costs

Apart from the above cases, it is important to conduct regular container surveys to ensure a smooth operational flow. An essential step in container maintenance is to have an inspector thoroughly check the container, create a virtual proof, check and fix previous damage, and have a suitable container before you start using it. Is to confirm that.

Although weather conditions cannot be controlled, the container can be lined with insulation to reduce the temperature inside the container above the dew point. The use of desiccants that reduce the humidity in the air can also be used in containers for moisture control, preventing condensation and its resulting corrosion.

Despite proper technical maintenance, unexpected situations can occur. Therefore, insuring the container is an important step. The container insurance plan offered by xChange helps protect you from container damage, mysterious disappearances, or total losses, starting at $ 2.5 per standard container. Read more about the benefits of the two types of container insurance or click below to get immediate insurance.

Container insurance

Who is responsible for container damage?

In most cases, it is very difficult to identify the person responsible for the damage and the cause of the damage. The people who physically handle containers at various stages of shipping are:

1. Factory / supplier crew loading cargo into containers
2. A truck driver picking up a container and carrying it to a warehouse
3. Drage company that transports containers to terminals
4. Origin container terminal crew
5. Transshipment port crew
6. Crew at the destination terminal
7. Customs team

Destination truck driver processing final delivery

How do I claim a damaged container?

The cost of container damage can vary from incident to incident and cannot be determined in advance. Damage will be compensated by either the container owner or the container user after the necessary evidence has been collected. Most companies have agreed to a Damage Protection Plan (DPP) for minor injuries (costing less than $ 100) to ensure that maintenance and repairs are worthwhile. Based on the case deal with Container xChange, we have gathered information about what happens if there is a corrupted container.

• Container users are always advised to take a picture of the container in case the container is unlikely to be damaged.
• When the container is returned to the depot, the owner asks a surveyor to check the condition of the container and assess the damage.
• The depot then creates photographic evidence of the damage and creates an invoice. If the value is less than the estimated damage protection plan agreed by both parties, the supplier will handle the damage.
• If the value is high, the invoice will be sent to the container user. Users must pay within 30 days of receiving the invoice. If the user disagrees with the claim, the user can initiate an appeal within 10 days.
• At this point, both parties may conduct a joint survey with two surveyors representing each side, or one surveyor who both agree. After that, you will be paid based on the survey results.
• If the container is completely lost, the container’s users will have to indemnify the container and cannot dispute it.
• However, each case of container damage can be different and solutions are provided on a case-by-case basis. These conflicts can last anywhere for two days to weeks, depending on the severity of the conflict.

However, each case of container damage can be different and solutions are provided on a case-by-case basis. These conflicts can last anywhere for two days to weeks, depending on the severity of the conflict.

Hope this article will help to understand about Container Maintenance and how container is claimed after damage.