Washington, DC— IICL Director of Technical Services, Luiz Goncalves, announced that certain types of damages requiring expensive repairs can be prevented.

IICL members have seen an increase on container damages caused by loading & unloading methods that aim to reduce costs with cargo packaging and stowage while speeding up the loading & unloading operations. New equipment has been developed to lift the door end of containers and then drop bulk cargo inside. In many cases unloading is done by tilting the front end and dumping the cargo.

The transport of bulk and oversized cargoes continues to shift towards containerized transportation seeking lower freight rates, shorter transit times and other operational efficiencies. While shipping containers are the number one choice to move most types of cargoes, some preventive measures are required to protect the cargo and the container from damages during loading, transit and discharge. The IICL issued a Technical Bulletin addressing these issues and warning users of the potentially very expensive consequences resulting from damages to the container flooring, interior coating and panels.

The IICL Technical Director, Luiz Goncalves, mentioned that “while shippers continue to look for ways to shift towards containerization and its benefits, there are areas where shortcuts are being taken with dire consequences to the cargo, the container and possibly to the carrier.  Containers are being misused as being “the package” without the proper cargo packing, lining of interior container interior 

and the recommended cargo stowage methods being employed. While packing cost is possibly one of the drives for the shortcuts, the supply chain sees large repair bills down the road.  “By issuing our TB 018 we hope that we can call attention to container damages that are avoidable by using proper shipping procedures” said Goncalves. Damages caused by the misuse of containers can amount to thousands of dollrs per unit for refurbishement, floor replacement, etc., in some cases leading to the contructive total loss of the unit. 

The IICL recommends that the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) 2014 be observed.