Benefits of Unloading Loose Loaded Containers Efficiently

The global supply chain has and continues to take a hit due to the worldwide pandemic. As a result, to make up time at the manufacturing end, national and international trade has deviated from some long-time standard operating procedures. These changes include how shipping containers are packed. Normally, one expects the inside of containers to be packed to be unloaded either as a “one-touch” or “two-touch” process. The first means the container has been packed so that the cargo can be conveyed directly to the pallet. The second method means that the goods have been placed in the container loosely, that are not shored-up or secured. This last method requires an additional stage to sort, containerize, and remove the products. Unloading loose loaded containers is exacting work. Here we’ll discuss how it can be performed properly for maximum efficiency.

Once freight unloaders receive a green light from receivers, they will assess the contents of the container and how the container itself has been stuffed. In some markets, the worst-case scenario, items just shoved in to fill the entire container volume, not neatly stacked, nor palletized, or with the heaviest items on the bottom, has become the norm. These chaotically-stuffed containers must not only be sorted manually as unloading loose-loaded containers are likely to take longer than anticipated but the task must be performed quickly to maintain tight schedules. However, loose loading of goods at the start of the journey complicates the freight unloading process at its destination.

All freight must be handled with care to discover and document any damages/losses, but also to ensure that it is palletized and/or shrink-wrapped properly so that it can be either offloaded manually, or prepped for removal by forklift. When the container doors open, additional care must be taken in unloading loose loaded containers, as unsecured cargo will likely fall out. Freight unloaders can make short work of containers that have been loaded with large items such as home furnishings. These can be palletized where they sit and removed by forklift. Smaller boxes must be quickly sorted, then stacked heaviest-to-lightest on palettes, with care given to avoid combining products that do not belong together, such as liquids and technology. These are then forklifted to their warehouse pallet rack destination.

The key benefit is the skill and efficiency with which experienced freight unloaders work. These teams know how to perform this important task so that despite obstacles such as loosely-stacked containers, and discovering/documenting damages, schedules are maintained. As such, third-party unloaders do their part to stay on track and to reduce overhead costs. There’s talk of developing robotics to perform the task of freight unloading, but given the current state of the global supply chain, that is not likely in the near future. The best option is to partner with supply chain professionals at Labor Loop for your on-demand freight unloading teams.

Contact us with your requirements, and we’ll swiftly dispatch seasoned lumpers who will make short and safe work of unloading loose-loaded containers. Contact us today!