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Unit Aims, Objectives and Prerequisites
C.3.2 - Container numbering and marking

1. Unit Aims

This Unit is designed:

1. To describe the ISO system of container marks and the reasons for its development and use.
2. To describe the range of other marks and labels commonly displayed on a container.
3. To provide the ability to ‘read’ the ISO and other container marks, as appropriate to the learner’s duties.

2. Unit Objectives

After completing this Unit, the learner will be able to:

1. State three reasons for needing an internationally agreed system of container identification marks.
2. List five categories of operational marks necessary for the safe handling of containers.
3. Name and recognize the three major elements of the ISO coding system for containers: the identification code, the country/size/type codes, and the specification markings.
4. Given a series of container identification codes, identify correctly the owners’ codes, the serial numbers and the check digits.
5. [Optional] Given a container identification code, calculate correctly the check digit, and verify the accuracy of the owner’s code and serial number.
6. Given a series of country/size/type codes from representative containers, interpret the data correctly and completely.
7. Distinguish between ‘mandatory’ and ‘optional’ container marks, and correctly assign a series of given marks to the appropriate categories.
8. Define or recognize the best definition of: maximum gross mass, tare mass, payload and cubic capacity.
9. Given an illustration of a general purpose container, indicate correctly the required locations for the ISO mandatory and optional marks.
10. Explain the significance of the safety approval plate and customs approval plate, and indicate how they are issued.
11. Given illustrations of a variety of container marks of ‘operational’ significance, identify them correctly and indicate their use and importance.
12. Define, recognize the best definition of, or distinguish between true and false statements concerning, the technical terms used in the Unit, as listed in sections 3 and 4 below.

3. Unit Prerequisites

It is assumed that trainees will, before starting this Unit, have completed successfully the following Units, or will have demonstrated (for example by successfully completing the Tests for those Units) their understanding of the topics covered by them:

• Container terminal operations (C.1.1)
• Container construction (C.3.1)