Protect Your Cargo: Specialist Packaging and Handling Solutions

Engineering Safety into Every Shipment

Standard logistics often fail when faced with cargo that does not fit on a traditional pallet or in a container. Whether you move heavy industrial components, volatile chemicals, or sensitive laboratory equipment, the risk of physical damage or regulatory intervention increases significantly without bespoke protection. Shipping International provides a technical approach to cargo safety, using industrial-grade materials and certified securing methods to ensure your assets remain stable throughout their journey.

Our team manages the full scope of handling, from initial site surveys to the complex customs clearance requirements for specialised goods.

Technical Packaging and Securing Methods

Effective cargo protection relies on understanding the forces applied during sea, air, and road transit. We use a combination of physical barriers and securing systems to mitigate these risks.

Industrial Crating and Dunnage

For oversized or fragile machinery, standard cardboard is insufficient. We design and build heat-treated timber crates that provide a rigid external skeleton for the cargo. Internally, we use dunnage such as timber blocks, air bags, or foam bracing to fill voids and prevent the cargo from shifting within the crate or container. Proper dunnage distribution prevents point loading, which can cause structural damage to the container floor or cargo.

Lashing and Sea Fastening

When cargo moves via sea freight, it must withstand significant G-forces from the vessel's pitch and roll. We utilise high-tensile steel chains, polyester webbing, and turnbuckles to secure goods to the vessel's deck or a flat rack container. Our lashing plans follow strict maritime safety standards to ensure the cargo remains immobile even in heavy weather.

Moisture and Climate Control

Sea voyages often involve extreme temperature shifts that lead to container rain. This is condensation that can rust metal or ruin electronics. We provide vacuum sealing and specialised desiccant bags to maintain a dry internal environment. For perishables, we utilise active climate control via refrigerated containers to preserve product shelf life.

Verified Gross Mass and Safety Compliance

Providing an accurate weight for sea freight containers is a legal requirement under international maritime safety conventions. This Verified Gross Mass is critical for vessel stability and safe stacking.

Verified Gross Mass Calculation Methods

Shippers must use one of two approved methods to determine the weight:

1. Method 1: Weighing the entire packed and sealed container using a calibrated weighbridge or crane scale.
2. Method 2: Weigh all individual items, pallets, dunnage, and secured materials, then add the container’s tare weight.

Incorrect weight reporting can lead to port rejection, fines, or even vessel failure. Shipping International manages this weighing process to ensure full compliance before your cargo reaches the terminal.

Specialist Handling for Restricted Goods

Certain cargo categories require certified handling protocols to meet safety and legal standards.

• Dangerous Goods: We manage the transport of hazardous materials, ensuring all containers display the correct mandated placards on all four sides. Our staff verifies that every substance is accompanied by a signed Dangerous Goods Note.
• Out of Gauge: If your cargo exceeds the dimensions of a standard container, we utilise flat racks or open-top units. We manage the route surveys and police notifications required for the road freight leg of these oversized moves.
• Fragile and High-Value: We provide white-glove service for electronics and fine art, using impact-sensitive monitoring tools that record any shocks or drops during transit.

Risk Management and Cargo Insurance

While specialist handling reduces risk, the unpredictable nature of global trade makes insurance a necessity. Standard carrier liability is often limited to a set value per kilogram, which rarely covers the replacement cost of specialised equipment.

We provide comprehensive All Risks cargo insurance. This coverage protects your business against theft, accidents, and General Average events. In a General Average situation, all cargo owners on a vessel are legally required to contribute to the costs of saving the ship, regardless of whether their own goods were damaged. Professional insurance ensures these costs are covered, protecting your balance sheet from unforeseen maritime losses.