Container Stuffing Guide To Avoid Loss

Container Stuffing – Proper stuffing process explained.

Most of all cargo damage that occurs during shipping can be avoided by proper lashing and container packing. In this article, you can get the insights you need to ship your packages without damage and avoid unnecessary loss of money, time and efficiency.

Last year, global container throughput reached approximately 802 million TEU, of which approximately 90% was shipped by sea and more than 70% was shipped as container cargo. Such large freight transports are underpinned by complex operations that continue to be performed by the logistics workforce and are often tired of tight work schedules.

This precondition inevitably forces human error and results in cargo damage as an industry’s urgent and unfortunate by-product of meeting capacity demand. Of the millions of dollars worth of cargo damage lost each year, 65% is due to incorrect lashing and container stuffing due to lack of time and labor training. This also leads to damage to the container.

Many ways to damage cargo

The consequences of damaged cargo, whether it is commercial or private, can be dramatic. OS + D (excess, shortage, and corruption) charges, delays, and unexpected charges can significantly increase overall shipping costs. This makes it important for shipping stakeholders to implement strategies that help reduce damage as much as possible.

Significant cargo damage due to proper planning, stuffing, and destuffing of containers used for transportation, even if part of the transportation process is not under the control of the shipper or other parties along the supply chain. You can avoid such parts. cargo.

Inappropriate or missing technology can lead to:

Physical damage
Wet damage
Damage due to pollution
Reefer related damage
Invasion damage

Container Stuffing process

Container stuffing is the process of loading goods into a container before shipping. Before starting the actual stuffing process, it is important to make sure that the cargo has undergone the required pre-stuffing procedures.

The following steps are the basics for successful container stuffing.
Appropriate Containers: When choosing containers and shipping criteria and not exceeding weight and size limits, it is essential to consider the type and form of the cargo. The shipper must take into account the type of cargo he wants to ship. For example, frozen, dangerous, or bulky cargo requires different types of containers.

Container maintenance: The same container can cover thousands of kilometers with different means of transportation. It is important to regularly check that the container is in good condition to avoid water pollution damage from holes and damaged doors.

Ship Routes: A problem that is often overlooked is the climatic turmoil in the course of ships. In tropical climates, the temperature inside the container rises to 50 ° C, and lack of ventilation and temperature control can cause wet damage such as condensation and rust.

Proper packaging: It is important to protect your cargo in the first place before shipping it. If the cargo is not packed according to its characteristics, it is more likely to be damaged, regardless of the shipping or stuffing method selected.

Proper container packing is important

Once the appropriate container is selected and the pre-packing process is checked, focus on container stuffing.

Package Symbols: Be sure to read and respect box symbols and instructions such as “This Side Up”.
Heavy Cargo: Accidentally loaded heavy cargo can be one of the most common causes of cargo damage. One of the basic rules of stuffing is to distribute the cargo over the entire floor area so that heavy loads do not concentrate on any part of the surface.
It is also important not to place heavy items on the extreme side, as they can damage the container during impact and movement. The position of the heavy cargo should be below the light cargo in order to lower the center of gravity of the container.

Layers: We recommend that you store your cargo in as many layers as possible on a regular basis.
Void space: The space between cargoes must be filled with dunnage. This is a stuffing material that cushions the item and prevents damage. Dunnage materials include wood beams, empty pallets, basic foam, and inflatable bags.
Dangerous Goods: Due to the special requirements for transporting dangerous goods, it is important to follow the instructions to avoid damage and ensure the security of the stakeholders involved.

Avoid damage to the package

When loading dangerous goods, it is important to mark the package and clearly indicate the IMDG code. In addition, store dangerous goods next to the container door and do not mix with sensitive items. For safety reasons, it is important to avoid damaging the packaging in which the goods are stored.

Wet + liquid cargo: Avoiding wet or wet loads helps, and if that is not possible, it is beneficial to separate such cargo from dry ones. Let’s do it. Liquid cargo must be under a solid load.
Container surface: It is recommended to use a non-slip surface material to prevent the cargo from slipping.
Protection: To protect your load, it is important to use proper blocking and lashing methods. If necessary, all loads should be tethered and secured. It is important not to overstress the security device or the specified container capacity.
Labeling: To avoid unnecessary damage, it is essential to label the cargo correctly to prevent mistakes in the packing process.
There are different ways to load a container, depending on the type of cargo.

Homogeneous cargo: If all cargo is the same size, the total volume of the container is available.
Carton and Package: For added stability, it is advisable to glue the cargo in blocks.
Cargo with bags: Bags tend to fall to the edges of the container and put pressure on the walls and should be stored in an interlocking layer.
Drums and barrels: Should be stored upright if possible, or at least with the stopper on top. It is important to cover them with a soft dunnage.
Roll: It is more stable to store them upright together closely. The space between them should be filled with dunnage.
Palletization: We recommend using one of two common sizes for pallets, such as the standard type (1000mm x 1200mm) or the Euro pallet (800mm x 1200mm). Depending on the load, the space between them can be filled with dunnage for added security.

Take all these necessary steps to ensure the safe transportation of your cargo. And don’t forget to take out container insurance for all other unexpected events.