What is Cargo Damage?

Cargo damages are common occurrences caused by reefer equipment, handling errors or a power outage.

In transit, over-ripe, bruised, off-size, or discoloured products are considered reefer cargo damage.

Cargo damage may be costly for suppliers and manufacturers. In different ways during transit. The damaged items are usually returned for replacement or a full refund, which incurs additional costs and can harm both the carrier’s and the seller’s reputation. The damaged components, parts, and equipment often result in wasted time. This is why, as a carrier, you must ensure that tools, equipment, and other cargo are protected from damage, considering factors such as handling, humidity, temperature, contamination, vibration, impact, and static charges.

Causes of Cargo Damage

The most common reasons for cargo damage are water damage and damages due to improper lashing and stuffing.

Water damage may occur due to the following:

• Condensation inside a container, especially if the container is being stuffed at high humidity temperatures.
• Temperature changes during the vessel’s voyage may also increase the condensation inside the container, which may cause the cargo to get wet.
• Water may get inside the container with small holes, especially during the voyage if a vessel encounters inclement weather conditions.

Improper lashing and stuffing:

Weighty cargo and uneven weight distribution, improper loading of the pallets, and poor lashing are reasons for cargo damage depending on the cargo weight, type, and pieces. There are many details regarding how to properly stuff a container and lash the cargo.

Types of Cargo Damages

Physical Damage

Physical damage occurs due to dropping, breakages, rolling, bumps, and being knocked. Poor stowage also involves inadequate, inaccurate, and insufficient lashing and a lack of lashing materials. Damages also happen due to a lack of proper dunnage and lashing.

Contamination Damage

Contamination occurs when cargo has been subjected to poisoning or pollution, making the items unfit for use in operational or industrial applications and for human consumption.

Loads can be unclean in various ways, such as poor cleaning after a prior shipment, inadequate separation from other types of cargo, improper storage and exposure to contaminating chemicals, etc.

Infestation Damage

Damage from infestations can result from the presence of animals or insects in cargo, especially in agricultural products.

It can make cargo unsafe to consume or result in transit delays due to port authority inspections.

Reefer Damage

Refer-related damage typically occurs due to power failure or mishandling of equipment. Damage includes discolouration of products, poor air circulation, off-size, bruising, over-ripening, thawing, decay, human error, improper stowage, and unintentional and inadequate temperature controls during refrigeration transport services.

Water Damage

Damage may result when things are exposed to moisture, wet conditions, humidity, and water.

Ships go through various climatic regions, including some with higher humidity.

When moisture condenses into droplets inside the containers, it might result in “container rain.”

Under some conditions, this might lead to corrosion and rusting. The flooded ship holds can cause deterioration due to holes in the containers, damaged sealing gaskets, and lack of suitable desiccants.

How to Prevent Cargo Damage

You must take concrete steps as a forwarder, shipper, producer, or importer to lower the risk of cargo damage and prevent financial and operational losses. Here are some measures you can take to avoid cargo damage

Use the proper dunnage material and lashings.

Manufacturers, importers, shippers, and freight forwarders should take measures to minimize the risk of damage and associated operational and financial losses. It is important to restrict movement and protect it using the proper dunnage material and lashings. Also, inspect frozen cargo for flavour and colour changes, black spots, odour, fluid migration, desiccation, and dehydration.

Ensure accurate temperature controls and a valid inspection certificate

Carriers must ensure proper temperature controls and a valid inspection certificate when shipping reefer containers. The weight distribution and cargo stowage in containers should be well-planned. Lastly, when transporting goods susceptible to water damage, carriers must choose the correct route and seal all containers’ doors.

Carry out a thorough inspection

A thorough inspection is needed when the container is received at the warehouse. Assess the container from the outside to see if there is any noticeable damage.

If there is any noticeable damage to the cargo after the unloading process begins, stop it immediately and contact your carrier and insurance provider if the package is insured. Your carrier may send a surveyor to unload the cargo if extensive damage is reported initially.

Obtain cargo insurance

To reduce the chance of damage, make sure each container has cargo insurance, stick to the basic stuffing guidelines, and—most importantly—work with a dependable carrier who would assume liability for any problems. Use the correct container type for each type of product being shipped. For instance, a container must be able to transport many materials.

In addition to looking for indicators of any upward temperature deviation and subsequent re-freezing, frozen cargoes should also be evaluated for signs of dehydration, desiccation, fluid movement, odours, black spots, colour changes, and flavour changes.

To prevent damage, use technology-enabled solutions to get real-time updates on the whereabouts and state of your cargo while in transit.