Part A Unit Outline

This unit presents an introduction to cargo work, with the emphasis on cargo stowage, cargo damage, cargo unitization, and tally work.

● All cargo work including loading, stowage, carriage, and discharge should be done properly and carefully in transit, and the techniques of cargo work in maritime transport have developed considerably.

● The shipper has to prepare goods for transport and follow procedures regarding packaging and marking of goods to be transported. Package can be transport package and sales package, and properties of cargo, mode of transport, etc. are variables influencing the choices of package. Marking takes many forms, such as shipping marks, indicative marks, warning marks, and supplementary marks.

● The rate at which cargo is loaded and/or discharged from a ship has a significant impact on the overall cost of transport. It is essential to distinguish between vertical and horizontal loading of ships.

● Cargo stowage on board is usually done by the carriers who follow such principles as minimum broken stowage, maximum port speed, maximum cargo safety, maximum ship and crew safety, proper dunnaging, proper cargo separation, special care for heavy lifts and awkward cargo, and special treatment of dangerous goods.

● Cargo damage commonly occurs in loading, discharge or carriage, and it takes many forms, such as original damage, stevedore damage, heavy weather damage, sweat damage, and pilferage damage.

● Cargo unitization means the assembly and packing of a number of cargoes, either the same or different items, into a standardized or compact unit for ease of handling by the mechanical equipment. Containerized goods, palletized goods, Ro/Ro goods, lash goods, and carload goods are examples of a unitized load. Cargo unitization has its own benefits and limitations.

● Commodity features and cargo work, tally company, and Antwerp port are presented as the further reading materials.