There are many sources of information giving valuable tips on proper cargo stowage and securing. These guidelines depend on the mode and type of transport. Most standards, guidelines and codes share the same tips when it comes to ensuring that cargos are transported safely. Our following tips are based on the CTU Guidelines from the IMO.
10 tips on cargo stowage & securing in a (sea) container
1. Know the forces that will be exerted on your cargo Read more
2. Establish if climate conditions will change during your product's journey Read more
3. Plan your cargo stowage Read more
4. Inspect the container before loading Read more
5. Upon loading ensure that the point of gravity of the cargo is at or near the longitudinal center line of the transport unit Read more
6. Prevent sliding & tipping of the cargo by proper blocking & bracing the cargo using polyester strapping Read more
7. Use friction increasing anti-slip mats to prevent cargo movement Read more
8. Prevent 'fall out at doorway' on arrival at destination Read more
9. Do not assume that heavy cargos don't move Read more
10. Make sure that your cargo securers are trained in line with the latest IMO/ILO/UN ECE guidelines Read more
NOTE: Special care should be taken for cargo stowage and securing of dangerous or hazardous goods Read more
1. Know the forces that will be exerted on your cargo
Ensure that your cargo is stowed and secured adequately against the forces expected during the journey. Expected forces for road, rail and sea can be found below and at our Info Center.
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2. Establish if climate conditions will change during your product's journey
Care should be taken that differing climatic conditions (temperature, humidity, leading to sweating and moisture damage etc) will not affect your cargo. Moisture absorbing desiccants may be required to protect your cargo.
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3. Plan your cargo stowage
Before loading your cargo into the container stack all your packages in an area the same size as your transport unit. Plan the stuffing before starting by stacking all packages to be placed in the container in an area the same size as the container. This will help you visualize what extra securing or stabilizing means are necessary to stow and/or secure the cargo properly. Ensure that a tight stowage is achieved and that a minimum of empty space is left for cargos to move. Block out spaces wherever possible. A CTU completely filled out with no free space will require a minimum of cargo securing!
Proper stacking
• Light cargos should be placed on heavy cargos
• Solids should be placed on liquids
Flooring may be necessary between layers of cargo like drums to prevent sliding or to prevent packaging breakdown! Hazardous cargos should be placed near to the container doors for quick removal if necessary and the marking must be easily visible.
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4. Inspect the container before loading
Ensure your container is in a sound, clean undamaged condition.
Sweep out if necessary!
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5. Center of gravity
Ensure that the center of gravity of your cargo is at or near the longitudinal center line of the container and below half the height of the cargo.
Maximum payload
Take care not to exceed the maximum payload and the maximum floor load of the CTU, especially when using a fork lift truck to move your cargos in and out.
Weight distribution
Ensure that your cargo weight is evenly distributed throughout the container and that the axel weights are not overloaded. For a container, not more than 60% of the cargo weight may be distributed over 50% of the length. Take care, especially with round cargos like steel coils, not to overstress the container floor. Use timber beddings under the coil if necessary! Useful tips can be found in Hapag Lloyd’s Brochure container packing
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6. Prevent sliding & tipping of the cargo by proper blocking & bracing the cargo using polyester strapping
Ensure that all pieces of cargos are prevented from moving by blocking and bracing. Your pieces of cargo should first be strapped together using Polyester Strapping to create unit-loads then lashed to the container D-rings to prevent sliding or tipping.
Take care never to overload the D-rings provided in the container
ISO standard box containers have the following minimum MSL values (Maximum Securing Load or Safe Working Load):
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7. Use friction increasing anti-slip mats to prevent cargo movement
An important factor in preventing movement of your cargo is the frictional force between individual pieces of cargo and the CTU floor. You can increase frictional forces by using rubber anti-slip mats with a certified coefficient of friction of minimum 0.6µ. Special care should be taken with extremely slippery cargos such as steel plate and painted tubes. Friction increasing anti-slip mats should always be used for this type of cargo!
Fill up spaces with dunnage (stowage) such as dunnage bags, carton or other suitable means
Unavoidable empty spaces should be filled with dunnage (stowage) such as dunnage air bags, carton or other suitable means.
Dunnage Air Bags
You should always carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions as to maximum filling pressures and maximum voids. It is not recommended to use dunnage bags behind the doors of containers. Cargo movement or temperature differences may cause the doors to “spring out” violently when opened.
Care should be taken when moving from high temperature zones to low temperature zones and also from low altitudes to high altitudes and vice versa.
Tips:
Low temperature to high temperature: use slightly less air pressure than normal
High temperature to low temperature: use slightly more air pressure than normal
Low altitude to high altitude: use slightly less air pressure than normal
High altitude to low altitude: use slightly more air pressure than normal
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8. Prevent 'fall out at doorway' on arrival at destination
In the final stages of packing a container, care should be taken to prevent “fall out” of your cargo on arrival at its destination. We recommend using Polyester Lashing between the securing points at the container door to prevent this from happening.
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9. Do not assume that heavy cargos don't move
Do not assume that heavy cargos don't move! All cargos, regardless of weight, move when not adequately secured and are subjected to a force greater than the friction forces. A 10 ton cargo will move just as easily as a 1 ton cargo when subjected to a 1 g force during braking. However the 10 ton cargo will do much more damage once it is moving!
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10. Make sure that your cargo securers are trained in line with the latest IMO/ILO/UN ECE guidelines
All personnel involved should be trained in the safe packing, stowage and securing of cargos in containers. At the Cordstrap Training Center, we provide hands-on training conform the CTU Guidelines Annex 6.
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Special care should be taken for cargo stowage and securing of dangerous or hazardous goods
Particular care must be taken when you stow and secure cargo in this category. There are separate codes for hazardous goods (ADR/IMDG/RID) and you should consult these before transport and stowage takes place. Two of the most simple but important points to observe are:
1.) Your cargo must not be able to move at all; lash all cargo and use anti-slip mats.
2.) The securing must not damage the packaging itself. Use edge protectors.
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