Choosing the Right Packing for a Long Sea Voyage

A container crossing the Indian Ocean can swing thirty degrees between day and night. Air inside it holds moisture, that moisture condenses on the roof, and it rains on your cargo. Good packing is what stands between that and a claim.

Match the bag to the goods

PP woven sacks handle pulses and minerals well and stack without slumping. Add a liner where moisture is a concern. For powders that sift, a laminated bag with a stitched and taped mouth is worth the small extra cost.

Palletise when handling is rough

If your goods change hands several times after discharge, pallets pay for themselves. They cost you some cubic capacity, but they cut torn bags and manual damage dramatically.

Control the moisture

Desiccant poles, kraft paper on the walls and a dry floor are inexpensive. Loading goods that are already at safe moisture matters more than any of it. Never load warm cargo straight into a sealed box.

Label so it survives the trip

Print marks that will not smudge, keep them on two faces of every bag, and match them exactly to the packing list. Customs officers do not enjoy guessing.