Special requirements for cargo packaging for sea and air transport

Special requirements for cargo packaging for sea and air transport

What are the special requirements for cargo packaging for sea and air transport?

1. Requirements for cargo packaging for sea transport

1.1 Robustness and integrity of packaging
The robustness and integrity of cargo packaging for sea transport are crucial because cargo faces many challenges during sea transport. According to relevant statistics, up to 30% of cargo losses are caused by packaging rupture during sea transport. Packaging materials must be able to withstand stacking pressure, handling shock, and marine environmental factors such as moisture and salt spray. For example, for ordinary cargo, cartons should be able to withstand the total weight of similar packaged cargo stacked 3 meters or 4 layers; the thickness and structure of wooden boxes should be suitable for the needs of safe transportation of cargo, and wooden boxes containing valuables, precision instruments, and fragile items should not have defects such as corrosion, insect bites, and cracks. In addition, the packaging tape used to tie the cargo should be able to withstand the full weight of the cargo and ensure that it will not break when the cargo is lifted to ensure the stability of the cargo during transportation.

1.2 Moisture-proof, rust-proof and insect-proof treatment
The sea transport environment is humid, and cargo is susceptible to moisture, rust and insect damage. According to surveys, the value of cargo losses caused by moisture and insect pests can reach hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Therefore, moisture-proof, rust-proof and insect-proof treatment is an important part of shipping cargo packaging. For goods that are susceptible to moisture, such as electronic products and textiles, desiccant is usually placed in the packaging, with a weight of about 50 grams per cubic meter of space, to maintain a dry environment in the packaging. In terms of rust-proof treatment, for metal products, anti-rust oil, anti-rust paper and other materials are used for protection. The thickness of anti-rust oil is generally between 0.1 and 0.2 mm, which can effectively prevent rust on the metal surface. Insect-proof treatment is mainly for wooden packaging materials. According to the requirements of the International Plant Protection Convention (ISPM 15), wooden packaging materials must be heat-treated or fumigated and affixed with compliance labels to prevent biological invasion and ensure the safety of goods during long-distance transportation.

1.3 Packaging Marking and Labeling
Clear and accurate packaging marking and labeling are essential for shipping cargo. It can help staff quickly identify cargo information, improve loading and unloading efficiency, and reduce errors. The packaging must have clear and durable markings, including the name, weight, volume, pick-up instructions, dangerous goods mark (if applicable), loading and unloading direction instructions, etc. According to statistics from the International Maritime Organization, problems such as wrong shipment and missing shipment caused by unclear packaging markings account for about 15% of maritime cargo problems. For example, for dangerous goods, the dangerous goods category, UN number and other information must be correctly marked in accordance with the requirements of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), and marked with eye-catching colors and patterns so that corresponding safety measures can be taken during transportation. For ordinary goods, the flow direction of the goods, loading and unloading precautions, etc. should also be marked on the packaging to ensure the smooth flow of goods throughout the transportation process.

2. Requirements for air cargo packaging

2.1 Sturdiness and protection of packaging
The robustness and protection of air cargo packaging are key factors to ensure the safe transportation of goods. Since goods are exposed to risks such as air pressure changes, bumps and shocks, and friction during loading and unloading during air transportation, the packaging must have sufficient strength and protection. According to statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), cargo damage caused by improper packaging accounts for about 20% of air transport. Therefore, air cargo packaging must meet the following requirements:
Strongness: Packaging materials must be able to withstand various pressures and impacts during transportation. For example, cartons should be able to withstand the total weight of similar packaged goods stacked 3 meters or 4 layers; the thickness and structure of wooden boxes should be suitable for the needs of safe transportation of goods, and wooden boxes containing valuables, precision instruments, and fragile items must not have defects such as corrosion, insect bites, and cracks.
Protection: Packaging must have good protection functions to prevent goods from being damaged by changes in air pressure, temperature fluctuations or vibrations. For fragile items such as glassware, precision instruments, etc., multi-layer packaging should be used, that is, cargo-cushioning material-inner packaging-cushioning material-transport packaging (outer packaging), and sufficient cushioning materials such as foam plastics, bubble film, etc. should be filled in the packaging to reduce damage to the goods caused by bumps, shocks or vibrations. In addition, for liquid cargo, there must be a 5%-10% gap inside the container, the cover must be tight and leak-proof, and the box should be filled with padding and absorbent materials to prevent shaking or liquid leakage.

2.2 Special regulations for dangerous goods packaging
The packaging requirements for dangerous goods by air are strict to ensure safety during transportation. According to the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, dangerous goods packaging must meet the following special regulations:
Packaging materials: Dangerous goods packaging must use materials that meet international standards and can withstand various risks during transportation. For example, for corrosive substances, the packaging material must have good corrosion resistance.
Marking and labeling: Dangerous goods packaging must be correctly marked with dangerous goods category, UN number, special transport name and other information, and marked with eye-catching colors and patterns so that corresponding safety measures can be taken during transportation. According to IATA statistics, transportation accidents caused by unclear marking of dangerous goods packaging account for about 10% of dangerous goods transportation accidents.
Packaging testing: Dangerous goods packaging must pass a series of rigorous tests, including drop tests, stacking tests, hydraulic tests, etc., to ensure its safety during transportation. For example, drop tests require that the packaging remains intact after falling from different heights and angles to prevent dangerous goods from leaking.

2.3 Package size and weight restrictions
The package size and weight of air cargo are strictly restricted to ensure that the cargo can pass security checks and be loaded onto the aircraft smoothly. The specific requirements are as follows:
Size restrictions: The maximum size of standard air cargo is 2.44 meters × 3.15 meters. Longer or wider cargo may require special equipment to package the cargo according to the requirements of different airlines. The size of general pallet cargo is 1.20 meters × 1.20 meters × 1.53 meters, and the maximum continuous weight of each pallet is 1000 kilograms.
Weight restrictions: For cargo carried by wide-body aircraft, the weight of each cargo shall not exceed 250 kilograms and the volume shall not exceed 100 cm × 100 cm × 140 cm; for cargo carried by non-wide-body aircraft, the weight of each cargo shall not exceed 80 kilograms and the volume shall not exceed 40 cm × 60 cm × 100 cm. These strict size and weight restrictions are designed to ensure that cargo can be transported safely and efficiently, while avoiding threats to aircraft structure and flight safety caused by overweight or oversized cargo. # 3. Summary
Sea and air transport are two important modes of cargo transportation. They have their own unique and strict requirements for cargo packaging. These requirements are formulated based on different transportation environments and risk factors, aiming to maximize the safety of cargo, reduce losses during transportation, and ensure efficient transportation.
Sea cargo packaging focuses on firmness and integrity to cope with complex environmental conditions in sea transportation, such as moisture, salt spray, and stacking pressure. According to relevant statistics, losses caused by packaging rupture during sea transportation account for as much as 30%. Moisture-proof, rust-proof and insect-proof treatments are also key links in the packaging of sea cargo. The value of cargo losses caused by moisture and insect pests can reach hundreds of millions of dollars each year. In addition, clear and accurate packaging identification and labeling are crucial for sea cargo. Problems such as wrong shipment and missing shipment due to unclear packaging identification account for about 15% of sea cargo problems.
Air cargo packaging emphasizes firmness and protection to cope with risks such as air pressure changes, bumps and shocks, and friction during loading and unloading. According to statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), cargo damage caused by improper packaging accounts for about 20% of air transport. For the packaging of dangerous goods, air transport has more stringent special regulations, including packaging materials that meet international standards, eye-catching markings and labels, and strict packaging tests. Transportation accidents caused by unclear markings on dangerous goods packaging account for about 10% of dangerous goods transportation accidents. At the same time, the packaging size and weight of air cargo are strictly restricted to ensure that the cargo can pass security inspections and be loaded onto the aircraft smoothly.
In summary, whether it is sea or air transportation, reasonable packaging requirements are the basis for ensuring the safety and efficiency of cargo transportation. For shippers, understanding and strictly complying with these packaging requirements can not only effectively reduce the risk of damage to goods during transportation, but also improve transportation efficiency and reduce unnecessary economic losses.