Finding the right bedfellow is critical

By Dalena Smit TEA, SUGAR and tobacco can be found in most of our shopping trolleys, but before they get to the retailer, logistics providers need to ensure that they arrive at their destination in perfect condition. In order to avoid the risk of damage to both the commodity and the container, it is important to select the right equipment and to pay special attention to packing and stowage requirements. Tea Ð easily tainted The biggest risk associated with the carriage of tea is that it is easily tainted. This occurs when stowed together with containers carrying odorous goods such as copra and rubber. Even new containers can taint cargoes due to their paint fumes. It is important to prevent dampness at all times as condensation created inside the container is a major cause of taint and mould. Sugar Ð beware condensation Sugar is moisture-sensitive and mould can develop as a result of condensation inside the container. Sugar becomes treacle when wet, and can contaminate the containerÕs steelwork. Prevention of taint is important and sugar should not be stowed close to containers carrying odour-sensitive cargoes, such as coffee and tea. Sugar and cement should not be stowed together as mixed loads, since mixing can deteriorate both products. Neither should it be loaded into the same container as copra, as the copra beetle will affect the sugar. Tobacco Ð risk of infestation One of the main issues for the carriage of tobacco is its susceptibility to damage from excess moisture (within the product or container) which causes mould, fermentation and taint. Stowage with tea, timber, creosote and phenol is not allowed due to the development of taint. A further issue is the risk of infestation from the Lasioderma beetle and as a rule shippers need to fumigate tobacco to kill all harmful insects and larvae before shipment. It is also recommended that tobacco is stowed by itself. Special container preparation guidelines l The bags should be in good condition: no wet, stained, slack, leaking or torn bags. l Bags must be uniformly stowed to avoid deformation. l The container must be ÔsoundÕ: the container must be well cleaned with HACCP-approved cleaning products; no holes or rust; it must be dry inside; no moisture in the floor (a protimeter measures the moisture content of the wooden floor); good door seals; and the vents should be taped and sealed. l The container should be fitted with an inner liner such as corrugated cardboard or two layers of kraft paper. l It must be fitted with 16 x 2kg drybags 8 x 2 kg drybags (20 ft container), hung in the roof space or placed on top of cardboard/ kraft liners. Drybags are required for all shipments to northern Europe, Japan and the US shipped between October and April. l The cardboard/kraft paper should be placed on top of cargo bags but under drybags, and should go all the way to the floor in the doorway. l Doors must be properly closed and sealed. l Containers should be kept cool and stowed away from heat, either stowed underdeck or on deck protected from the sun and weather. l Ensure that the weight of the container is within (road) weight regulations. The guidelines above are also applicable to coffee, cocoa and pepper, cargoes which are not commonly exported from South Africa. For successful delivery of these commodities, all departments should work together to ensure that the container is properly prepared, released and that load lists, manifests and special stowage requests are correct. Please note that any special container preparation is subject to an additional cost to the shipper.