LOGISTICS specialists Corsafe have partnered with the Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) to create a guide on safely packing containers for overseas suppliers.
Corsafe, part of Australian transport and logistics insurance provider NTI, collaborated with the CTAA to create the guide for Australian companies to distribute to their overseas partners, to provide an understanding of the standards required when loading containers bound for Australia.
Corsafe cited figures showing around 50% of incidents while shipping freight in containers is caused by poor or incorrect packing.
Chris Hogarty, executive general manager of strategy and supply chain at Corsafe, said the guide is designed to help protect Australian companies and improve safety for the entire industry.
“Improperly loaded containers can cause financial loss, reputational loss, injury, and in some cases, death. It’s important that everyone in the chain know their individual part in keeping everyone safe,” Mr Hogarty said.
“This resource was created to help educate supply chain partners and meet the need for a guide with short, concise explanations, free of legal jargon that could easily be understood by frontline staff.
“Given our organisation’s focus on transport, it is also designed to reduce roll-overs, to eliminate loss and injury when containers are loaded onto vehicles after arriving in Australia.”
The guide covers topics such as an overview of chain or responsiblity laws in Australia and New Zealand, load preparation and process, dimensions and weight, transport of shipping containers, and pests and water damage, amongst others.
CTAA Director, Neil Chambers said poorly loaded and unrestrained loads can present major safety concerns.
“Heavy vehicle accident data compiled by NTI shows that container-laden heavy vehicles are 36% more likely to be involved in a truck rollover compared to vehicles carrying general freight,” Mr Chambers said.
“A common factor in these incidents is vehicle instability caused by unbalanced or inadequately restrained loads inside the shipping container.
“CTAA is pleased to be partnering with Corsafe to continue to raise these vital safety and commercial concerns with all parties in the container transport logistics chain.”
