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Unit Aims, Objectives and Prerequisites
C.3.3 - Container Inspection

1. Unit Aims

This Unit is designed:

1. To explain why containers should be inspected on entry to and departure from the terminal.
2. To review the circumstances in which containers are examined in the terminal.
3. To describe the documentary and practical procedures to be followed when inspecting containers.
4. To survey the types of defect to be looked for in container inspection, and to outline the criteria and standards relating to severity of defect.
5. To describe the actions to be taken when container defects are detected.

2. Unit Objectives

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

1. State and explain the five major categories of reasons for terminal inspection of containers.
2. State where and when container inspection takes place in the terminal, and who is responsible for the inspection in each case.
3. Describe the general features, content and functions of the equipment interchange receipt (EIR).
4. Detail the procedures for terminal gate inspection of inbound and outbound containers, both loaded and empty, and the related handling of the EIR form.
5. Describe the inspection and documentary procedures followed when containers enter and leave the terminal by rail and inland waterway.
6. Outline the inspection and reporting procedures relating to containers that do not pass through the terminal gate during their transit through the terminal.
7. List and describe the six defects in container identification information that are specifically looked for during gate inspection, and explain why they must be checked.
8. Name and distinguish between the three categories of container condition defects, and outline the main types of defect in each category that should be looked for during container inspection.
9. List the steps followed by a gate inspector when examining a container and chassis for defects.
10. State the actions that should be taken in response to container identificational deficiencies found during gate inspections.
11. State the actions that should be taken in response to container condition defects found during gate inspections.
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 studied 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 ship loading and discharge operations (C.1.2)
• Container terminal receipt/delivery operations (C.1.5)
• Container construction (C.3.1)
• Container numbering and marking (C.3.2)
• Handling dangerous goods in ports (P.3.1)