Page 217 - DMGT546_INTERNATIONAL_TRADE_PROCEDURE_AND_DOCUMENTATION

International Trade Procedures and Documentation

Notes Container berths are either purpose built for exclusive container use, or multipurpose in which
container and other types of cargo vessels are handled. A purpose built container berth is
usually the more efficient and produces the most productive container throughput. The most
modern one would be computer-operated.

!

Caution Computerization plays an important role in the operation, controlling the delivery
and pick up of containers from the truckers as well as the movement and positioning of all
containers in the terminal.
Time spent in loading and discharging containers varies by port and circumstances. In very
broad terms, one can attain 25/30 containers per hour for discharging cargo whilst for exports
the figure is 20/25 per hour per crane of single container capacity. The high merchandise trade
has pushed container traffic worldwide. In 2005, it is estimated that world merchandise trade has
witnessed an excellent growth rate of 13% in volume terms and container traffic has registered
an estimated growth rate of 13.89%. Containerisation accounts for over 50% of world merchandise
trade and is expected to go up further.

10.1 Different Types of Containers

The container, as the meaning implies, is an equipment used to store and carry goods. In shipping,
the term was used to refer to any type of box used to carry cargo. Presently too, a container is
known as ‘box’ or ‘an’ in many countries, particularly in the U.S.
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) defined a freight container as:

An article of transport equipment,
Of a permanent character and accordingly strong enough to be suitable for repeated use;
Specially designed to facilitate the carriage of goods by one or more modes of transport,
without intermediate reloading;
Fitted with devices permitting its ready handling, particularly its transfer from one mode
of transport to another;

3
So designed as to be easy to fill and empty – Having an internal volume of 1m (35.3cu.ft)
or more.
10.1.1 Classification of Containers

1. By raw material: A container can be classified in terms of its building or cladding materials
i.e. it is defined by what it is made of. The maximum numbers of containers are made of
steel, aluminium or GRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plywood). Almost 65 percent of the
entire container fleet presently consist of steel containers.
2. By size: The ISO has worked a great deal on standardisation of container dimensions and
published recommendations. Containers are defined in multiples of l0 ft. i.e. 10ft or 20 ft,
or 30ft, or 40ft. Presently 20ft, 40ft containers are used predominantly, and around 65-70
percent of world fleet consists of 20 ft containers. Twenty-foot containers are referred as
Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit or TEU and 40 footers as FEU (Forty foot Equivalent Unit). If
all the containers are expressed—in terms of TEU, it becomes easier for the container
terminal operators and ship owner to estimate the space required in a container terminal
or inside the vessel.

212 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY