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Unit Aims, Objectives and Prerequisites
C.3.4 - Packing of goods in containers: 1. Principles and planning

1. Unit Aims

This Unit is designed:

1. To describe and explain how poor container packing practices and procedures can cause damage, deterioration and other problems to cargo, and to discuss responsibility and liability for accidents resulting from poor packing.
2. To explain the preliminary documentary and other procedures preparatory to a container being packed with cargo.
3. To describe the principles and practices followed when planning for the packing of goods in containers.

2. Unit Objectives

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

1. List and explain the six main causes of cargo damage and other problems resulting from poor container packing procedures and practices.
2. State where responsibility lies for the safe and correct packing of goods into containers, and explain why liability rests with the packer.
3. Outline how instructions for packing cargo consignments into a container originate, and name and describe the documents used when planning and carrying out container packing.
4. Explain how appropriate containers are selected for the cargo consignments booked for packing by shippers.
5. List and explain the factors involved in selecting suitable packaging for cargoes to be transported by freight container.
6. Name the two ways in which packing security can be ensured when planning, and explain how they are put into practice.
7. List and explain the factors taken into account when planning the sequence and arrangement of packing of cargo packages into a container.
8. Describe the main features of the container loading plan, and list and explain the steps involved in preparing it.
9. 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 freight station operations (C.1.6)
• Container construction (C.3.1)