When transporting goods inside shipping containers, securing your loads is vital so they don’t move during transit. Unsecured loads are unsafe; they can cause injury to people and can also cause significant property damage.
At X-Pak Global, we supply container restraint systems and equipment to ensure your cargo is secured. Here are several simple tips to keep in mind when restraining your load in a shipping container.
Adhere To Regulations
Several laws and regulations surround the safe restraint and transport of cargo. It is essential that you familiarise yourself with the regulations governing safe shipping and transportation to ensure that you are, at the very least compliant.Cargo
Not being compliant could make you liable should something go wrong. Therefore, it is important to do everything in your power to protect yourself in the event of an accident.
The International Maritime Organisation has a set of regulations that state the minimum requirements for the safe transportation of hazardous goods, including how to properly pack, load, and secure cargo inside shipping containers.
Another international code is the Cargo Transport Units (CTU) code. This is a vital, although non regulatory code to help you determine what cargo restraint solutions you will need for each shipment.
Pack The Cargo Properly
Complying with load restraint regulations means paying attention to how you pack your goods in the container. The correct packing of goods should ensure that the goods stay put during transit.
Moreover, the goods should also be evenly distributed to ensure that the container is balanced. Where there are gaps between items, dunnage bags should be used to fill the voids and reduce any potential movement inside. Other cargo restraint solutions should also be used, such as lashings and straps, to ensure that no movement can occur inside the container.
One thing that should always be considered is the strength and load capacity of the restraint systems. It is also important to ensure that your load restraint solutions comply with regulations and meet all safety standard tests. Always test that your load restraint equipment is in good working condition before applying it and make sure your supplier is able to provide certification for these.
Pick A Good Shipping Container
Not all shipping containers are equal. Some are extremely old and have been used for many years. Shipping containers have a life expectancy of about 15 years before they need to be discarded. Before transporting your goods, ensure that the shipping container you intend to use is in good condition. An important thing to note is the lashing points inside the container; you need to ensure these are all in good condition.
Inspect before securing your load to ensure that the structure of the shipping container is intact. If not, it may leave your goods susceptible to damage during transportation.
At X-Pak Global, we have a wide range of container restraint systems and equipment to help you ensure that your goods will be transported safely. To order your container restraint systems and equipment today, contact us now!
