Loading Methods for Containerized Sea Freight of Bulk Cargo
Using bulk containers for sea transportation of bulk cargo can save labor, packaging costs, and handling fees, while reducing the labor intensity of handling workers and improving handling efficiency, making it an ideal transport method.
The main bulk cargoes transported via bulk containers include: cereals such as malt, oats, and soybeans; granular and small lump feed; powder and granular chemical products; as well as other industrial raw materials like resin, aluminum dross, and clay.
Bulk cargo can also be transported in general cargo containers by sea. However, due to the lower strength of general cargo containers, they are used for transporting lighter bulk items such as hay bales and malt. Therefore, when selecting containers for bulk cargo transport, it is essential to consider the cargo characteristics, density, and container strength requirements.
II. Loading and Unloading of Bulk Containers
1. Loading. Bulk containers generally have 2-3 loading hatches on the roof. Loading is carried out using silo or warehouse hoppers or cranes with buckets. When using general cargo containers to load bulk cargo, the container doors are usually opened, and the cargo is loaded using a belt conveyor or a forklift with a bucket. Depending on the cargo characteristics, a duct may be used to blow the cargo into the container with air.
2. Unloading. Bulk cargo is typically unloaded by tilting the container to allow the material to flow out by gravity. Two common methods are: one uses a heavy-duty lifting coupling device on the tractor to lift one end of the chassis and container together; the other uses a special device on the chassis to raise the front end of the container, creating an incline. Internationally, self-tilting chassis are commonly used for transporting bulk cargo. The maximum tilt angle of a self-tilting chassis is usually 40°.
I. Precautions for Loading Bulk Containers
1. When transporting bulk chemical products, first determine whether they are classified as dangerous goods.
2. When selecting a container for bulk cargo, the loading and unloading equipment conditions at both the origin and destination points must be considered.
3. For one-way bulk transport, if the return trip carries general cargo, a plastic liner is generally required inside the container to separate the bulk cargo from the container body. The plastic liner has rigid frames at both ends; the middle plastic film can be folded when not in use and conveniently expanded like an accordion bellows when needed. Alternatively, there are liner bags with loading ports on the container roof and discharge ports at the door end, similar to standard bulk containers.
4. When transporting grain, feed, and similar bulk goods, attention should be given to whether the cargo requires fumigation. Therefore, the import country's plant and animal quarantine regulations should be reviewed before loading. For goods requiring fumigation, containers equipped with fumigation facilities should be used.
5. When transporting grain and feed, to prevent moisture damage, containers with roof lining panels should be used for ocean transport. 6. When loading powdery bulk cargo that is prone to dust, measures should be taken to enclose the operation area.
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Bofeng Logistics specializes in providing one-stop logistics services, including domestic container sea freight, international sea freight (FCL/LCL), Hong Kong and Macau logistics routes, as well as trailer transportation, customs declaration, and warehousing. Contact: 130-7567-8958 (Manager Huang). Call now for a customized quote!
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