Up until the 1970's general cargo (boxes, crates, drums, bags and other miscellaneous cargo) was shipped as Breakbulk i.e. the crates etc., were loaded onto a vessel and then secured.
This caused major problems in shipping due to breakage, pilferage, spillage and other losses. Plus the inconvenience of loading/discharging operations and shipping to and from the hinterland of a certain port, not to mention transhipment of cargo.
Enter containers and containerisation.
The miscellaneous small packages of goods to be transported were loaded (packed) into a large metalic box called a container. The conatiner is weatherproof and reasonably water resistant. It provides convenience in road, rail and sea transport.
There are limited means of securing cargo within a container. Cargo can be packed/unpacked using forklifts etc.
On a vessel, the containers can be loaded underdeck or above deck. Abovedeck containers can go as high as 5 or 6. They rest on specially fabricated container fittings and are secured on to the ship's structure by means of twistlocks and lashing rods.
C. R. COX and ASSOCIATES Cargo and Marine consultants and surveyors have personnel that are specially qualified in the field of containers. They are experts in containers, containerisation and mitigating claims for damage to containerised cargo from the shipowner's point of view.
We also perform container ON-HIRE and OFF-HIRE surveys to a very high standard and customer satisfaction is guaranteed.
Please email us or use the enquiry form to contact us, if you need any survey carried out on containers or containerised cargo.
