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1. Draw a stowage plan on graph paper. This will help you expedite the loading operation and fill the container to its maximum capacity. Don't forget that the door openings are smaller than the internal dimensions of the container. Consider weight restrictions of the container, as well as those applicable by relevant authorities throughout the length of the voyage.
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2. When putting different products in the same container, be aware of possible mutual damage due to smell, moisture, dust, and heat, as well as insufficient or improper packing. Observe all regulations for dangerous cargoes.
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If you must include packages containing liquids with other types of cargo, always stow the liquid products below the dry products, separated by insulating materials and dunnage. Also, be sure to put absorbent materials (eg. sawdust) under the liquid products. |
| 3. The load must be uniformly distributed on the floor of the container. Otherwise, an imbalance could endanger personnel and/or handling equipment. The longitudinal center of gravity of the container must not have a horizontal momentum of more than 10 tons per meter. This is the upper limit for lifters and other cargo handling equipment in most terminals. |
| 4. Always try to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. Avoid weight concentration. Objects with small bases should be mounted on plates, frames or dunnage platforms to distribute their weight over a greater floor surface area. |
5. When different articles are to be stowed in the same container, the lighter (least dense) things should be stowed higher, never the opposite. Remember to always separate the load into layers, using dunnage (plywood, etc.) between the layers when necessary.
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| 6. All packing material and dunnage must be of proven strength. It should also be designed to avoid injury to products and equipment. Keep different types of packages separate. For example, never pack sharp wooden objects near cardboard boxes if there is not enough packing material between them. Products with protruding parts, acute angles or sharp edges will have to be separated from bags and bales with comparatively soft covers. Even the strongest packing containers can be damaged due to possible abrasion during transport. Never stow products with damaged packaging, even if the damage seems small. The damaged packages must be separated before stowing and noted in the documentation. Before loading drums or barrels in a container, make sure there are no leaks in them. Always place them with the drain hole up. |
7. Certain types of products should be stowed according to the type of available unloading equipment. Paper rolls, for example, should be stowed vertically if they are going to be unloaded with a forklift.
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| 8. Avoid empty spaces within the container. If these cannot be avoided, do your best to keep the free space in the center, and install braces. |
| 9. For shoring, use wooden blocks and strips. For tiedowns, use steel or synthetic ropes, straps, or chains. Do not use one part of the load as filler for another part unless both are completely compatible. |
| 10. When using forklifts, use lath strips or pallets to facilitate handling cases not equipped with skids. Wood strips should be placed below every layer of cargo, for the full length of the container. This must also be done with bales to avoid handling damage. |
| 11. To keep the load from shifting within the container, as well as to avoid leakage and to assure correct weight distribution, dunnage should be laid out between the load and the floor. Whenever possible, stacked cargo should be linked together like bricks in a wall, to provide simple self-support. |
| 12. Don't forget that loads are subject to jolts and vibrations during transport, causing bags and bundles to settle, loosening their hold-down straps. |
| 13. For proper on-board safety, your container should be properly loaded, using a sufficient number of interior tie-downs. |
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14. Don't forget that loads are subject to jolts and vibrations during transport, causing bags and bundles to settle, loosening their hold-down straps.
(See "Dangerous Cargoes" section) |
| 15. Cargoes subject to customs regulations should be located near the door to facilitate their inspection. |
| 16. Carefully secure all products stowed at the door end, to avoid them shifting or falling when the doors are opened.
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17. When loading is complete, firmly close the container doors and seal them. Record the seal number for future reference.
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