Securing Cargo in Shipping Containers
Each year, countless businesses and individuals use shipping containers to safely store and transport cargo over long distances via land or sea. Whether you’re shipping merchandise to an overseas location, or moving your prized classic car across country, a 20- or 40-foot shipping container can ensure your cargo arrives at its location in tip-top condition.
Properly securing your cargo in a shipping container is essential to making sure it arrives in one piece. The strong corrugated steel walls of a shipping container will protect your cargo from the elements. However, your cargo can still be damaged, if it slides around in the container while loading or unloading or in transit.
In general, when storing cargo in a shipping container, you need to ensure that the cargo is secured on all sides, to prevent shifting. Filling the spaces between the walls of the container and the cargo is one way to accomplish this. You can also secure cargo by using lashing points inside the container to secure the cargo with rope, cords or cables that will hold the cargo in place. To prevent slipping, place material on the floor that will increase friction, such as plastic mats, non-slip spray or burlap sacks. If you’re shipping material via cargo ship, there may be some International Labor Organization or International Maritime Organization guidelines you can follow to ensure safe transport.
Securing your cargo isn’t just important to ensure it arrives in one piece. It’s also vital to your safety and that of any people who will be loading or unloading your cargo.