A DIRTY cargo is classified as any cargo that can contaminate the inside of a container, while a damaging cargo is any cargo that can damage the interior, panels or structural components of a container, unless the necessary precautions are taken.
The cargo referred to in this article does not include cargo defined by the IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) code.
Dirty cargo usually contaminates a container by leaving behind a residue or a taint. Cargo that has a moisture content is often of concern for both dirty and damaging incidents. Moisture laden cargo can sweat, causing damage to the container, and if it reacts with the product, taint is formed. There are many examples of dirty cargo, including wet hides and skins, carbon black, garlic, onions, graphite, flour, lemongrass, wattle extract, shark fins and shark skins.
Damaging cargo usually
damages a container when it comes into contact with the surfaces of the container. For example, certain products like cloves are able to strip the paint work off the inside of the container. Examples of
damaging cargoes include stones/blocks, scrap metal, telegraph poles, cloves and used engine or motor parts.
Dirty and damaging cargoes have an adverse effect on containers. Certain taints go so far as to penetrate the insulation of reefer containers, rendering them useless unless the
insulation is replaced, which is very costly. Damaged containers will have to undergo extensive cleaning and repair before re-use and in some cases the container may not be able to carry certain cargo such as foodstuffs. The natural degradation of the container may be speeded up and the disposal of some residues may even have a negative environmental impact.
Considerations when
shipping a ‘dirty and
damaging’ cargo include:
l What is the risk and possibility of moisture build-up?
l Not only must the moisture content of the product be considered but also the packaging material, pallets and dunnage.
l Is the packaging suitable for
protecting the cargo and the
container?
l What are the weight restrictions of the container?
l What is the risk of spillage and its environmental consequences?
l Is it necessary to secure the
product?
l Are you using the correct equipment for the product? For example, reefers for perishables.
l Prepare a pre-stow plan considering weight and space restrictions. A pre-stow plan is a basically a plan of the container taking into consideration its dimensions and how the cargo will be stowed to optimise space and to protect cargo as best as possible.
Precautions for
moisture-sensitive cargo:
l Line the container with corrugated kraft paper for moisture-sensitive products.
l Use desiccants for moisture sensitive product.
l Use inner lining bags with bulk moisture sensitive products.
l Request that the product is not stored close to heat sources (cool stow).
l Where applicable, ventilate the container.
l Don’t stow odour sensitive cargo with odour producing products such as citrus fruit with garlic or onions.
Precautions for irregular cargo:
l For non-hazardous chemical products, ensure that they are properly contained (i.e. no leakages) so that they cannot contaminate the environment.
l In the case of scrap metal or stones, ensure an even distribution of the weight in the container.
l Secure heavy cargo sufficiently to withstand the movements of the ship.
l Request stowage close to the centre line of the vessels.
l Don’t tip containers to empty scrap metals.
l Ensure packaging is in good order before stowing.
Exporters should work hand-in-hand with their logistics provider to ensure successful delivery of these commodities.
