Selecting the right container makes all the difference

The question most frequently asked of our Cargo Care department is: "What equipment should I use to ship my commodity?"
To make sure that your cargo lands at its destination in perfect condition, it is crucial that we match the cargo to the type of container that is best suited for the voyage, be it over land or sea.
Remember, close communication between shippers and shipping lines can only contribute positively towards establishing the most beneficial way of shipping your commodity.
A container fleet comprises a variety of container types, from normal GPs (general purpose), to flat-racks, open tops, hangtainers, and more sophisticated containers such as integrated reefers for temperature sensitive commodities.
Some containers, like tanktainers or flexitanks, do not belong to the standard container fleet of a shipping line. However it is important to ensure that this type of container operates under a safety scheme. Also always check that the container is ISO approved.
To establish the most beneficial way of shipping a specific commodity, it is important to understand that the same type of container can often be used in various ways depending on the shipment. For example:
l GP containers can be shipped with one door off in the case of potatoes or onions where the voyage period is less than 10 days.
l Open tops can be used for ease of loading of commodities such as steel, but also for out of gauge (OOG) cargo, which is slightly higher than standard containers.
l Flatracks are normally used for OOG cargoes i.e. cargoes which are slightly higher, wider or longer than normal. This type of container can also be suitable for cargo which is slightly overweight, especially as it is reinforced structurally.
l Whereas porthole containers are normally used for perishable commodities, they can also be used as non-operated reefers, i.e. not connected to the power supply of the vessel. This way of shipment is ideal for commodities such as lids and labels, which need to be stowed in an insulated environment to prevent them from melting.
l Integral containers have a variety of options such as humidity control, bulb mode, controlled atmosphere and sleeve modem installations for remote monitoring. The most suitable container needs to be selected based on the specific carriage requirements while containers are in transit.
Here are some further considerations for choosing a container type:
n The characteristics of the commodity, e.g. temperature sensitive commodities such as fruit and vegetables go in reefers, while electrical equipment may go in GPs.
n Time of year. Pineapple plants can be transported in open top GPs during the summer, but in reefer/ portholes during winter to avoid chill damage.
n Effect of climatic change en route. As a vessel travels across the equator, the temperature inside a container can reach up to 65oC due to inward radiation. It is still possible to ship commodities such as candles and sweets in GP containers across the equator as long as bookings are accompanied with a special stowage such as coffee and tea, as dampness created inside the container as result of the temperature gradient can negatively affect the quality outturn.
n Trade: Does the trade have the facilities you require? SAECS is the only trade which has vessels that support porthole containers.
Also consider if your goods are to be transhipped, and the effect of transit time on the quality of your commodity.
n Stowage: If a container needs specialised stowage due to weight, size, temperature sensitivity or any other reason, remember to put in a special stowage request with the shipping line to allow for timely vessel planning.