252373 Basics of Cargo Care v 2021

Welcome

Apply basic concepts of cargo care

Unit Standard 252373

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SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1:
Explain the appropriate
packaging for the mode

used

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Freight Forwarder’s involvement in handling cargo

o Airfreight forwarders operate transit warehouses
o Responsible for checking that goods are marked and labelled correctly, in

a fit state to be handed to airline or shipping company
o Consolidator of export cargo - physical loading of goods onto pallets or

into ULDS
o Imports, act as de-consolidators will off-load goods from ULD’s in own

off-airport customs-licensed warehouses
o Release the goods to the importers or their agents

o Handling of breakbulk goods and bulk commodities
o As live animals, perishable goods, motor vehicles and abnormal

loads
o Dangerous goods require very special attention
o Freight forwarders have to provide cargo handling and

warehousing

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ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1:

Types of packaging and unitisation used in international freight
are identified in relation to freight handling requirements

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Factors which play a critical part in successful delivery

• The type of packaging;
• How the packages are marked and labelled;
• The method of packing;
• The method of transportation.

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Types of packing units 6

• Drums
• Barrels
• Boxes
• Crates
• Cartons
• Bags
• Shrink-wrapping

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Choosing the type of packing to use

• Bulk commodities
• Breakbulk
• General merchandise or general cargo
• Containerised cargo

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Choosing the type of packing to use (contd.)

• Temperature and moisture
• Cargo size and weight:

- size and weight of the product;
- handling facilities at seaports, airports, container depots and warehouses;
- transport conditions from point of supply to final point of delivery

• Water protection

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Choosing the type of packing to use: Modes of Transport:

• Rail:

- lack of good handling and loading equipment at railway stations;
- shunting of rail wagons.

• Sea
• Air
• Road
• Multimodal Transport

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Choosing the type of packing to use (contd.):

• Weight limitations
• Pilferage
• Marine Insurance

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ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2:

Cargo damages are identified which are caused by
incorrect packaging and stowage

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Responsibilities for cargo

• Shipper’s Responsibilities

- Proper packaging
- Proper markings on the packaging
- Proper description on the shipping papers

• Recipient’s Responsibilities

- Visible or noted loss or damage - apparent at the time of delivery
- Concealed loss or damage - not apparent at the time of delivery

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Causes of damage

o Damage by temperature
– Coal
– Rice, oats, maize, oil seeds
– Fine seeds
– Oil cake and tobacco
– Nuts, beans

o Cargo mixtures
– Over-stowing goods
– Separations

o Rust damage
o Pilferage
o Rats and mice
o Smaller vermin
o Mechanical damage
o In The Aircraft
o In Terminals

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ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3:

The need for preparation of cargo is explained in terms of
international requirements

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Approximately 80 percent of
all cargo losses are
preventable

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Preparation measures

• Fumigation
• Separation:

- Do not pack “wetting” goods together with moisture-sensitive goods
- Commodities which are incompatible when loaded

• Pre-shipment examination

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Minimising Handling & Stowage Damage

• Proper selection of packing methods and material
• Do not exceed the rated weight and volume capacity of the

package and/or inter-modal container
• Internal blocking and bracing
• Cushioning designed to absorb the energy
• Unitize, palletize or assemble cargo into the largest practical

unit
• Use cautionary markings and handling instructions
• Clear and complete shipping marks and instructions

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Minimising Water Damage

• Apply preservatives, corrosion inhibitors or waterproof
wrapping

• Provide waterproof linings
• Shield cargo on top and sides by use of waterproof shrouds
• Crates and other large containers should have drain holes
• Indelible inks, paint and water repellent labels should be used

to eliminate obliteration of marks, shipping instructions and
handling symbols

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SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2:
Monitor the marking,
numbering and labelling of

cargo

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1:
Marking, numbering and labelling are explained

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Introduction

• Primary purpose of marking is the identification of the shipment
• Responsibility of the shipper to ensure that all necessary information is marked

on packages
• important for the cargo handler to be able to read/ interpret a mark
• marks should contain all details necessary for goods to be loaded into correct

container/vehicle/ship
• as much detail as possible should be recorded on packages WITHOUT

REVEALING CONTENT

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The Air Cargo Tariff (TACT) Rules

• Shipper is responsible for packing cargo
• Each package must be legibly and durably marked with name

and full address of the shipper and consignee
• All packages should be marked with the same consignee’s name,

street and city address as recorded on the air waybill
• An identification label must be attached to each package
• Upon acceptance, each consignment must be accurately

weighed and the greatest width, height and length of a
consignment ascertained

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Barcoded Label and Non-barcoded Label

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Cautionary Labels/Symbols

• whether the package is sensitive to heat or moisture
• whether it is at risk of breakage
• where the top and bottom are and where the centre of gravity is

located
• where loading tackle may be slung

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What does each one mean?

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Dangerous Goods (covered in the previous lecture)

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Marking, Labelling and Placarding – Road and Rail

• SABS 0229

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Live Animals - Marking

• full name, address and contact number of the shipper and consignee
• common and scientific name of the animal(s) and the quantity of

each animal in the container
• “POISONOUS” , “THIS ANIMAL BITES” where applicable

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Live Animals - Labelling

• At least one “Live Animals” label
• THIS WAY UP” either “LIVE ANIMALS” or

“LABORATORY ANIMALS”

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ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2:

Marks, numbers and labels are checked for completeness
and compliance on receipt of cargo

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Air and Ocean shipments must meet UN performance packaging standards

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ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3:

Action is taken in respect of non-compliant, discrepant or
damaged marks, numbers or labels

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Non-compliant, discrepant or damaged marks, numbers or labels

• Check that the marks and labels meet the
requirements prior to shipment of the cargo

• If requirements are not met, the cargo should be
returned to the responsible party

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SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3:
Pack and stow cargo

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1:
Internationally accepted packaging and stowing procedures

are explained

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Live Animals – lATA Live Animal Regulations

Container Requirements:

o Certain species require reinforced containers, other animals - into
lined containers

o clean, leak-proof and escape-proof
o Ventilation - upper part of at least three sides
o adequate handholds/lifting devices
o Food and water dispensers fixed inside container
o written feeding and watering instructions
o no foodstuffs are transported which would contravene the import

regulations of the importing country

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Perishable Goods -Insulation

• Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS)
• Rigid High Density Polyurethane
• Reflecting Surface Material (Radiant Barrier Films)
• Maintain products within known allowable temperature ranges (chemicals, food, medical

drugs)
• Keep products frozen (seafood, dairy products, medical specimens, meat)
• Prevent products from freezing (chemicals, blood specimens, seafood)
• Minimize effect of extreme temperature variations (plants, flowers, live lobsters, sensitive

electronics, polymers)
• Prevent melting and thawing in hot weather

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Perishable Goods - Coolants/Refrigerants

• gel refrigerants and dry ice

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Packaging guidelines for perishable shipments

• Packaged to withstand different orientations
• Use insulating container
• Use refrigerant that will keep products within required temperature ranges
• Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) containers must be placed inside sturdy outer

corrugated containers
• If products can melt or thaw either double bag the products or line the inside of

container with plastic liner and absorbent material
• Shipping perishable products over a weekend is discouraged

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Keeping products frozen during transit

• Freeze products at or below 32° F (O° C)
• Pre-cool the insulated container
• If products can melt or thaw either double bag the products or line the

inside of container with plastic liner and absorbent material
• Arrange products compactly, but leave space around the products for dry

ice
• Place dry ice in the corrugated box
• Pack tightly and fill empty air spaces with dunnage
• Place lid over insulated container. Do not seal completely
• Place closed, insulated container inside an outer corrugated box
• Securely tape corrugated box with pressure-sensitive plastic tape

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Keeping products refrigerated during transit

• Chemical coolants
• Freeze the coolants
• Pre-cool the insulated container
• If products can melt or thaw either double bag the products or line the inside of

container with plastic liner and absorbent material
• Arrange products compactly inside insulated container, allowing space for

coolants
• Place sufficient amount of coolants on top of & around products
• Close the bag securely
• Close and securely seal the insulated container with pressure sensitive plastic

tape
• Place the insulated container inside a corrugated outer box
• Close & securely seal corrugated box with pressure-sensitive plastic tape

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Protecting products from freezing

• Heat sinks, which help maintain desired temperatures.

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Human Remains – Packing, Marking and Labelling

• Cremated, embalmed or not embalmed
• Corpses in coffins only in freighters or passenger aircraft having separate cargo

compartments
• Cremated:

- funeral urns which are protected against breakage

• Not Embalmed/not Cremated :

- inner coffin of lead or zinc which must then be packed into a wooden coffin
- SAA - all human remains to be embalmed
- “Removal” certificate issued by the Department of Health
- Certificate (import permit) from the foreign authority approving the importation into the country of

destination.

• Class Rates for human remains

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Other specialised cargo

• Fragile Goods
• Valuable Goods:

- Diamonds
- Gold

• Household and Personal Effects
• Bulk Cargo
• Uncrated Machinery and Uncrated Machinery Castings or Steelwork

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IMO/ILO guidelines for packing - preparation

Visual inspection prior to packing :

• Exterior
• Interior
• Important factors for before packing
• goods of regular shape and size - tight stow from wall to wall
• dunnage, folded cardboard, air bags or other suitable means

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IMO/ILO guidelines for packing and securing

• Goods of regular shape and size - tight stow from wall to wall
• Dunnage, folded cardboard, air bags or other suitable means
• Cargo weight should be evenly distributed
• Centre of the weight of the cargo is close to the mid-length of the container or vehicle
• Heavy goods should not be placed on top of lighter goods - liquids should not be placed on

top of solids
• Wet cargoes, moisture inherent cargoes or cargoes liable to leak should not be packed with

goods susceptible to damage by moisture.
• Wet dunnage, pallets or packaging should not be used
• Prevent damage to equipment and cargo with protective material such as polythene

sheeting
• Damaged packages should not be packed into a container
• Permanent securing equipment incorporated in the design of a container should be used

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Important factors on completion of packing a container

• Build a secure face of the cargo so as to prevent fall out when the
doors are opened:

- container on a trailer usually inclines towards the doors
- cargo may move against the doors due to jolts etc. during transit

• All wood in the container, packaging and cargo complies with the
regulations

• Ensure that all closures are properly engaged and secure
• Seal should be applied
• Fittings such as tilts or hatches properly secured with no loose

equipment
• Warning label s:

- container, or its contents, has been fumigated
- dry ice or other refrigerant

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Causes of condensation

• Sources of moisture inside the container
• Difference between the temperature of the atmosphere within the

container and the surface temperature of either the cargo or the
inner surfaces of the container itself
• Changes in the temperature of the outer surface of the container
which affects the two factors above.

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Considerations when shipping a ‘dirty and damaging’ cargo

• What is the risk and possibility of moisture build-up?
• Not only moisture content of the product be but also the packaging

material, pallets and dunnage.
• Is the packaging suitable for protecting the cargo and the container?
• What are the weight restrictions of the container?
• What is the risk of spillage and its environmental consequences?
• Is it necessary to secure the product?
• Are you using the correct equipment for the product? For example

reefers for perishables.
• Prepare a pre-stow plan considering weight and space restrictions.

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Precautions for moisture-sensitive cargo

• Line container with corrugated Kraft paper
• Use desiccants
• Use inner lining bags with bulk moisture sensitive

products.
• Request that the product is not stored close to heat

sources (cool stow).
• Where applicable, ventilate the container.
• Don’t stow odour sensitive cargo with odour

producing products such as citrus fruit with garlic or
onions.

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Precautions for irregular cargo

• Chemical products, ensure that they are properly contained (i.e. no leakages)
• Scrap metal or stones, ensure an even distribution of the weight in the container.
• Secure heavy cargo sufficiently to withstand movements of vehicle/ ship.
• Request stowage close to centre line of the vessel
• Don’t tip containers to empty scrap metals.
• Ensure packaging is in good order before stowing.
• Work hand-in-hand with logistics provider to ensure successful delivery of these

commodities

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Dangerous goods – see previous lecture

• Packing:

• Group 1: indicates a high degree of danger;
• Group 2: indicates a medium degree of danger;
• Group 3: indicates a minor degree of danger

• Packaging, marking, labelling:

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