how machinery manufacturers can prevent cargo damage with container stuffing equipment

• Why Cargo Damage is Still a Major Challenge for Machinery Manufacturers
• What Causes Cargo Damage During Container Loading?
• What is Container Stuffing Equipment?
• How Container Stuffing Equipment Prevents Cargo Damage
• Best Practice for Loading Heavy Machinery into Containers
• Choosing the Right Container Loading System
• Why more Machinery Manufacturers are Using Container Loading Systems
• Improve your Container Loading with our Container Stuffing Equipment

Why heavy machinery is more difficult to ship than standard freight

Heavy machinery is harder to ship for several reasons:

• The machinery’s irregular size and massive weight: machinery is heavier and requires special vehicles to manage it. The route also needs special planning to avoid narrow roads, bridges with weight limits, etc;
• Load securing and stability: high centres of gravity and loose parts create extreme safety hazards during transit if the shipper hasn’t secured them properly;
• Concentrated point loads: small parts or areas of the machinery concentrate weight in a small area, creating point loads which can damage the floor of the vehicle transporting the machinery;
• Sensitive parts: the container must withstand the vibrations of ocean travel and the shunting of rail travel. Moisture is another big issue because the metal could be prone to oxidation and may rust if sitting inside a a container with high internal humidity or condensation.

Some of the main reasons for cargo damage occurring during container loading are:

moisture and condensation:

moisture and condensation can develop when the container temperature changes, and this causes drops (container rain) to form, which can trigger corrosion, warping and/or mould growth;

cargo movement during transit:

inadequately securing cargo can cause it to shift during acceleration or sudden stops;

poor weight distribution:

poor load planning often leads to uneven weight distribution. Loads shift, become damaged and create safety hazards;

Container stuffing equipment refers to the systems and tools used to load goods and pack them into a shipping container.

Container stuffing is more strategic and comprehensive than container filling. It considers safe weight distribution, cargo securing, maximising space utilisation and other factors to achieve safety, compliance, efficiency and other goals.

Manual vs automated container stuffing

Stuffing containers manually is gruelling physical labour at the end of an often otherwise automated workflow. Employees are working within a confined space to tight deadlines. It’s dangerous, inefficient and, despite seeming cheaper because of low upfront investment, recurring costs such as cargo damage, labour and slow throughput transform manual container stuffing into an expensive task.

This is much different from automated container stuffing. Machinery does the heavy lifting and makes the process safer and more consistent. Automated container stuffing also helps companies retain staff in hard-to-fill dock roles and reduce dock congestion.

Improper container packing contributes to almost 65% of all cargo damage, driving global shipping damage claims past £4.5 billion each year. Implementing container stuffing equipment prevents cargo damage and spares machinery manufacturers many business woes. How? By:

• Reducing manual handling;
• Reducing the risk of forklift-related damage during loading;
• Supporting planned load positioning and weight distribution
• Improving loading precision;
• Creating a consistent, repeatable loading process across each shipment.

• Secure the machinery tightly and safely, and don’t just rely on one way of securing the cargo e.g. on straps only. You can learn more about cargo securing regulations from the International Maritime Organization, who provide guidance through their 2014 IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code);
• Minimise manual handling by mechanising or automating the task;
• Use the right loading technology.

You can read more about loading containers safely and efficiently in our article on Container Loading and Unloading: The Best Practices for Safety.

Shipping frequency

How often you ship machinery will influence the type of loading system you need. Frequent shipments may benefit from automated equipment that reduces loading times, increases throughput and creates a more consistent process, helping you meet delivery schedules without overburdening your workforce.

Container types

Consider the types and sizes of containers you use, including whether your operation relies on standard shipping containers or specialist equipment. The wrong container type can make loading more complicated, increase handling requirements and limit how cargo can be positioned or secured. Open-top or flat-rack containers may be necessary for certain oversized loads, but they can introduce additional handling or equipment requirements.

Suitable container loading systems can allow compatible cargo to be loaded through the container doors, potentially avoiding the need for specialist containers. Choosing a compatible loading system can help you load cargo efficiently without investing in modified containers or introducing unnecessary complexity into your shipping process.

Existing warehouse layout

Your available space and existing material handling equipment will influence which system is most suitable. Consider how the loading equipment will integrate with your current workflow, minimise unnecessary cargo movements and fit within your facilities without requiring extensive infrastructure changes.

Higher Loading Capacity

Slow, manual container stuffing can restrict the number of shipments a manufacturer can dispatch within a shift. Container loading systems accelerate the loading process, helping businesses load more cargo in less time and reduce bottlenecks at dispatch points. This increased throughput can help manufacturers meet delivery schedules and accommodate growing shipping volumes without necessarily expanding their loading facilities.

For example, our automated container loading system LoadPlate, can load up to 30 tonnes into a full 40-foot container in 5 minutes. See how a steel manufacturer, Sverdrup Steel, achieved this in our case study. Our Hydraulic Container Loading System can load up to 28 tonnes in 15 minutes.

Reduced Labour Dependency

Traditional container loading often requires employees to carry out physically demanding tasks and coordinate forklift movements throughout the process. Container loading using LoadPlate can be operated by one person.

Using a Hydraulic Container Loading System, two people may be required depending on the load, allowing fewer operators to manage the loading operation. This can ease pressure on staffing, reduce reliance on hard-to-fill dock roles and allow employees to focus on other operational tasks.

With 60+ years in the loading technology industry, we support container stuffing with two key pieces of technology: Hydraulic Container Loading System and the LoadPlate.

Container loading system

The container loading system is a one-shot loading and unloading system that handles up to 28 tons and transports goods on a heavy duty skate that travels along a galvanised steel track placed on the container floor and loading platform. A hydraulic pump lifts the track, which raises the skate and lifts the load clear of the platform deck.

This portable system spares you the need for expensive side- or top-loading containers and is transferrable to other loading points. Businesses often use it to load heavy machinery. You’ll be able to load a pre-assembled 28-ton load in just 15 minutes.

Investing in this system allows you to:

• Shorten container loading times;
• Reduce the risk of cargo damage;
• Load containers of any length;
• Make container stuffing much safer.

LoadPlate

The LoadPlate is an automatic, one-shot container loading system for shipping containers and regular, non-modified trailers. In just five minutes, this powerful piece of container stuffing equipment loads 30 tons of cargo into a 40-ft container. The system can fit inside a warehouse to avoid weather conditions damaging goods. You’ll be able to:

• Reduce manual handling and cargo damage;
• Load containers more safely;
• Bolster your loading capacity;
• Boost operational efficiency;
• Save on investment in machinery.

To step up your operations with our container stuffing equipment, email us at hello@joloda.com or reaching us via our contact form. We’ll visit your site, assess your facilities and requirements, and recommend the best system. We’ll then install them to make container loading not only much swifter, but also much safer.

How can cargo damage be prevented?

Cargo damage can be prevented by using suitable packaging, distributing weight evenly, securing goods correctly and minimising unnecessary handling during loading and unloading.

For heavy machinery, manufacturers should inspect containers before use, account for the cargo's weight and dimensions, and use appropriate restraints to prevent movement during transit. Container loading equipment can further reduce the risk of forklift impacts and handling-related damage by providing a more controlled loading process.

What is the container stuffing method?

Container stuffing is the process of loading and arranging goods inside a shipping container for transport. It involves selecting suitable packaging, planning cargo placement, distributing weight appropriately, securing the load and making efficient use of available space.

Containers can be stuffed using mechanised and automated container loading systems. For heavy machinery, specialised loading systems can help transfer large, heavy loads into containers more safely and efficiently.

What steps can be taken to prevent container damage during transit?

To prevent cargo damage during container transit, inspect the container for structural damage, leaks and signs of moisture before loading. Use suitable packaging and protective materials, distribute the load appropriately, and secure machinery with restraints suited to its weight, shape and transport requirements.

Protect moisture-sensitive goods against condensation, and ensure cargo cannot shift during road, rail or sea transport. Following recognised cargo packing and securing guidance, such as the IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code, helps reduce the risk of damage throughout the journey.

What is the best way to prevent damage from heavy weather to container cargoes?

The best way to protect container cargo from adverse weather is to combine suitable packaging, moisture control and appropriate transport planning. Before loading, check that the container is weatherproof and free from leaks, and ensure cargo is dry where required. Use suitable moisture barriers or desiccants for moisture-sensitive machinery, where appropriate, to help reduce condensation and corrosion risks.

Secure the cargo correctly and consider weather-related transport risks when planning shipments. If possible, move container loading indoors and use a container loading system to minimise the impact of weather.

What are the most common reasons for cargo damage?

The most common causes of cargo damage include poor packaging, inadequate load securing, uneven weight distribution, forklift impacts, mishandling during loading and unloading, and cargo movement during transit. Moisture and condensation can also cause corrosion, mould or other damage, particularly when transporting metal machinery or moisture-sensitive components.

Heavy or irregularly shaped machinery can be especially vulnerable if it is not properly supported and secured. Suitable container loading equipment can help reduce handling-related risks, while correct packaging, load planning and securing remain essential for protecting cargo throughout its journey.