CINS and the TT Club have launched guidelines for the transport of coiled materials in containers describing the various methods of stowing and securing the coils that ensure safe carriage and prevent possible damage to the container.
Coiled materials tend to have a very high mass and, being circular, have a significantly smaller loading ‘footprint’ or point loading than a case of similar weight. Coiled materials exceeding weight and stress limits in General Purpose (GP) containers should be carried by other means.
Safe practice. The packing of coiled materials is a systematic process, requiring consideration of load distribution, packing, blocking/bracing and lashing.
There are some basic rules that have to be followed:
- The maximum gross mass (cargo + bedding andsecuring (‘payload’) + t are mass of the unit) of the container should not be exceeded
- The cargo mass should be distributed over sufficient length of the container floor
- Coils should not rest directly on the container floor
- Cradles (also known as ‘wedge beds’) may be used to support and retain the coils
- Coils should be adequately secured to the cradle or support arrangements
- Ensure coils are secured adequately and cannot move inside the container
- Blocking/bracing should be used to secure the coil and may be used in combination with lashing gear attached to the anchor points situated on the base structure of the container
These guidelines conform with the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) and provide supplementary information to assist in the safe transport of these materials by any mode
