Costs are among the most universal considerations in any shipping operation, whatever the size or nature of the goods being moved.
Diligent planning is absolutely crucial from the outset, as it can go a long way towards cutting costs associated with delays, mistakes or inefficiencies during cargo stuffing.
Cargo stuffing is distinct from simply filling a container with a certain volume or weight in mind. It’s a comprehensive procedure that encompasses the entire end-to-end process of transferring cargo into a container, including planning, documentation, compliance requirements, and proper weight distribution. (This is one of the reasons that effective export packing is so important – it takes into account key elements like the case size and shipment requirements of each item, to ensure that it comfortably fits the container.)
De-stuffing is essentially the same process, but focuses on removing the cargo from the container once it reaches its destination. It’s also sometimes referred to as container stripping, container unloading, or devanning.
For certain types of cargo, floor-loading is often a great choice, as it can increase cargo capacity by up to 15-20% per container, significantly cutting logistics costs as a result. It’s not automatically the best choice for every type of cargo though – here’s the key information you’ll need to decide whether it’s the best choice for yours.
Floor-loaded shipping versus palletised freight
The differences between floor-loaded shipping and palletised freight are simple but significant. Here’s a quick rundown of their main characteristics:
Palletised freight
With this method, goods are stacked on top of each other and put on individual pallets, according to a maximum permissible weight. Each pallet is then loaded onto the container, and the goods themselves are secured with metal straps or plastic wraps, to ensure they stay on their pallets. The results are organised, uniform loads that are easier to handle throughout the shipping process. It’s widely regarded as the preferred method to ship most types of freight.
Advantages:
- Reliable protection and stability for delicate or fragile goods.
- Facilitates faster loading and unloading at the destination.
- Simplified sorting, storage, and distribution.
Floor loaded
Floor loaded freight is named because the cargo is placed directly onto the shipping container floor itself, rather than on pallets. This cargo is stacked vertically, floor to ceiling, and secured with load bars and straps to minimise the risk of shifting in transit. It’s frequently used to transport goods that aren’t easy to box, or bulky but durable items (such as tyres). While the lack of pallets can sometimes result in higher labour costs at the destination, they’re often offset by the savings provided by better space efficiency.
Advantages:
- Maximises efficient use of the space, resulting in lower freight costs.
- More goods can be shipped per container.
- Ideal for more awkwardly shaped types of cargo.
Why choose floor-loaded shipping over palletised freight?
The best choice of freight shipping method for your own cargo will be influenced by a number of factors, including the type of cargo you’re planning to transport, and the length of the journey. Floor-loaded shipping has several advantages over palletised freight, largely focused on space, cost, and its suitability for certain types of cargo.
In terms of space, floor loading requires a minimal amount of ancillary equipment (the lack of pallets is obviously a prime example), which means it’s capable of maximising the cubic capacity of the container, often by as much as 15% or 20%. This can result in a noticeable reduction to freight costs, especially if it means you can use fewer containers for the same shipment. Fewer containers also brings minor environmental benefits, if you’re aiming to hit sustainability targets.
It’s worth noting that floor-loaded shipping can involve more labour costs at the destination than palletised loading, because it’s slightly more time-consuming to remove the cargo. However, it remains a useful option if you’ve calculated that these extra labour costs can often be outweighed by the money you’d save on pallets.
Plus, not all types of cargo lend themselves to being neatly stacked on pallets. If you’ve got any particularly large, bulky, or irregularly shaped items to transport, floor-loaded shipping is frequently the most viable choice. It’s a go-to solution for companies looking to transport cargo like large machinery or industrial equipment, or long items like pipes, beams or metal bars, for example.
How export packing can help maximise container efficiency
Export packing refers to preparing goods for international shipping, and all the challenges and conditions that involves. It’s one of our core services at Tuplin, and our decades in operation have given us a wealth of experience in handling different flight types and weights. Skilled export packing can maximise container efficiency in a wide variety of ways.
Weight optimisation
Careful export packing can significantly reduce a shipment’s overall weight – without compromising its protection. A lot of that is related to material substitution – our team can make use of lighter materials where appropriate, to help keep the load easier to handle and more efficient to transport. For example, cardboard can sometimes be used in place of heavier materials like metal. Foam inserts can also be used to effectively cushion various items, while adding very little additional weight to the total shipment.
If a load is light enough, that can simplify associated handling and transport, as the reduced weight means it can often be moved more easily and efficiently throughout the logistics chain.
Reduction in volume
Export packing can also improve container efficiency by reducing the amount of space occupied by the cargo. Design optimisation plays a major role in achieving this. For example, our team can flat-pack certain products to reduce their footprint within the container. We can also use flexible packaging options to further minimise the space. In some cases, shrink wrap can tightly secure certain goods so the packaging clings closely to the product, reducing any unnecessary bulk during transport.
Our expertise enables us to provide a service focused on custom-made packaging, which can be tailored to the exact dimensions of each item so that they fit securely within the container.
Physical protection
During international shipping, cargo typically needs to be protected from various physical risks. These include moisture, vibration, compression forces, and handling damage. Export packing can go a long way to helping provide peace of mind against these hazards using appropriate materials and packing methods, particularly during container stuffing and de-stuffing, when the cargo is being loaded, positioned, and removed.
What is bespoke packaging and when is it necessary?
Bespoke packaging is the term used for packaging that has been specially designed and manufactured for a specific product or brand, often to reflect its identity, values and ethos. The definition is relatively loose – the word ‘bespoke’ might refer to the size or shape of a box, or the design on its surface, or the colours involved or text used. Potentially even all the above.
Custom crates and tailored packaging designs are frequently used in export logistics to match the dimensions and handling requirements of specific products, which is one of the reasons we offer bespoke packaging as a core service. It closely ties in with export packing, because packaging design is one of the most influential factors that affects how goods are protected during transport and container handling.
Below are some of the most common examples of situations where bespoke packaging is frequently necessary:
Protecting goods during container transport
Bespoke packaging is often required when the cargo involved needs structural protection during transport, particularly on long international journeys. Any heavy items, delicate equipment, or products prone to shifting during loading or shipping can all benefit from custom crates or reinforced packaging, helping to ensure that they remain stabilised inside the container and to minimise any risk of damage.
Accommodating unusual product sizes or shapes
Standard packaging may not always provide a secure fit in instances when a product is unusually shaped, oversized, or difficult to stack. Made-to-measure packaging can be designed around each product’s exact size, shape, and weight, providing peace of mind that it fits securely and remains protected during transit.
Preparing goods for container transport requirements
Some shipments require packaging designed specifically for container loading and handling. In these cases, bespoke packaging can help to ensure that cargo remains stable during stuffing, transit, and de-stuffing, reducing the chances of shifting or damage while the container is being handled.
Strengthening brand identity and customer experience
Packaging is often the first physical interaction a customer has with a product, so bespoke packaging provides a valuable opportunity to make a strong first impression with customised materials, colours, graphics, or structural design. That can make all the difference to the customer’s perceptions of the product, and long-term loyalty to the brand.
Improving packaging efficiency and sustainability
Packaging that’s designed specially for a specific product can reduce any unnecessary bulk, while still providing reliable protection for the item in question. More precise packaging designs can help to reduce excess materials, lower packaging weight, and make better use of container space, effectively reducing waste and providing slight bonuses to sustainability.
Meeting international transport and handling requirements
Some shipments are mandated to meet specific international transport or handling requirements that standard packaging can’t accommodate. Bespoke packaging can help to ensure that these goods remain protected in transit, while still complying with any relevant freight regulations or handling standards.
Partner with Tuplin for end-to-end export support
Whatever the nature of your cargo or distance of your destination, our team are here to help at Tuplin. With more than four decades of experience, we handle every stage of the process, ranging from cargo stuffing and de-stuffing, to export packing and bespoke packaging, designed specifically for international shipping.
We work with all types of freight and container loads, and we can provide as much or as little advice as you need regarding the most efficient way to pack, load, and transport your goods. Whether we’re advising on floor-loaded or palletised shipping, preparing cargo for long-distance transport, or designing packaging that protects items in transit, we’re always focused on providing practical solutions that maximise efficiency, and cut down on unnecessary costs for your business.
Get in touch today to find out how we can help you with professional container loading, de-stuffing, and export packing solutions – all expertly tailored to you.
