How to Properly Load a Shipping Container?

Shipping containers have become an important means of transportation in international trade. Since the introduction of containerization, it has reduced the cost and burden of cargo transportation for enterprises to some extent. However, the full potential of shipping containers has not been realized yet. Currently, the utilization rate of container space in domestic loading is still relatively low. Therefore, how to maximize the use of container space is a problem that enterprises will inevitably face. Below are some tips from the experts at Jingcheng Commodity Inspection on how to properly load a shipping container:

1. Reasonable weight distribution

Classify goods according to their volume, weight, outer packaging strength, and nature. Load heavy and sturdy goods at the bottom and distribute their weight evenly on the container floor. Otherwise, it may cause the bottom of the container to detach or bend its beams. If the center of gravity of the entire container shifts, it may tilt when lifted by a crane.

2. Necessary cushioning for goods

When loading goods, decide on necessary cushioning based on packaging strength. For fragile or delicate goods with weak outer packaging, use buffering materials to prevent collisions and compression between goods. It is necessary to insert padding boards and cover materials between goods and between goods and side walls of containers to fill gaps.

3. Proper Securing of Goods

After goods are loaded into a container, gaps usually occur. To prevent the collapse and damage of goods during transportation, especially during sea transportation due to the swaying of the ship, it is necessary to secure the goods inside the container.

a. During loading, square wooden bars or other supporting materials should be used to support the goods.

b. If there are gaps between the goods or between the side walls of the container, some square wooden bars can be used for horizontal reinforcement. In addition, fillers, cushion pads or wedges can also be inserted to prevent the displacement of goods during transportation.

c. Ropes, straps or other tools should be used to tie and secure the goods to prevent damage caused by the movement of trucks.

4. Optimal Mixing of Goods

To ensure peace of mind during the transportation of containerized goods, it is necessary to reinforce the cargo and pay special attention to its arrangement. It is important to avoid mixing items that may cause spoilage or damage to the goods. The specific situations to be avoided are as follows:

a. Dry goods should not be mixed with wet goods during transportation to prevent moisture and mold.

In addition, if the cargo requires a high level of dryness, appropriate desiccants or other drying methods should be used.

b. Normal goods should not be mixed with items that emit strong or offensive odors to prevent the mixture from affecting product quality.

c. Any type of cargo should not be mixed with powders as they are unstable during transport and can easily cause explosions.

 Separating them can reduce the likelihood of such problems occurring.

d. Dangerous goods cannot be mixed due to differences in their properties and rescue measures.

Mixing them can lead to secondary dangers.

e. Different types of packaged goods must not be mixed for ease of transport and must be loaded separately.

In summary, the modern logistics industry involves a vast amount of goods transported through container shipping. However, the high cost of container shipping and the low space utilization rate of containers results in significant waste within the logistics process. By providing scientific training to personnel involved in container loading planning and on-site operations, coordinating packaging specifications among enterprises, and utilizing practical container loading software, significant transportation cost savings can be achieved. This will increase China's container space utilization rate and promote logistics development while improving overall logistics efficiency.