Steps To Prepare and Load A Shipping Container Properly
Arranging a shipping container is quite easy when working with a reputable company offering the services of barge hire Central Coast. Depending on the load, you can select from a variety of barges and containers to transport your goods securely.
However, loading the cargo in a shipping container is a different challenge altogether. You need to ensure that the goods are properly packed and secured so that there is no damage during transportation. Here are some tips for loading the shipping container, which will make the process easier for everyone involved.
Tips for loading a shipping container
Prepare your goods
Arguably one of the most important steps to loading a shipping container is preparing your goods even before the container arrives. Pack books and other general household items in new cardboard boxes, bedding and kitchen appliances in linen cartons, and clothes in a good wardrobe carton.
Make sure to use bubble wrap or your clothes to protect the edges of fragile items like bone China, photo frames, etc. Wrap furniture with a stretch wrap and furniture pads to protect it from dust and accidental damage. Remember to close and secure everything with strong adhesive tape.
Prepare your shipping container
The next step is to prepare the shipping container for loading the goods. First, check the shipping container’s overall condition and cleanliness, ensure that the locks are working, and note down the serial numbers for reference. If you cannot find it, your barge hire Central Coast partner will provide you with one for easy tracking.
Next, plan how the goods in the container will be loaded. Keep similar items like books and kitchen appliances together. Avoid packing any liquid items with sensitive goods to prevent spill damage.
Proper Loading
Ideally, you should distribute the entire load evenly throughout the shipping container. A good practice is to load the largest and heaviest items first while keeping the distribution rule in mind. So, if you place your linen in one corner, you might want to balance the container by putting something of equivalent weight in the other corner.
Load furniture along the walls and corners of the container and place some extra stretch wraps and pads to prevent scratch damage. You can use nylon ropes for extra security. Place your beddings and mattresses on the side to save some space for other goods.
Final Checks
Since the shipping container will be subject to powerful compressive forces while transporting, the smart idea is to conduct final security checks to ensure its safety. Check the inventory list and confirm that every item is packed and loaded onto the container. You can try adjusting the boxes in the order you will need them while unloading.
Finally, make sure that you have used the entire container space and secured everything in place to protect the valuable items. Then, hand a copy of the inventory to your barge hire Central Coast partner and lock the container using a sturdy padlock resistant to bolt cutters.
