Understanding Cargo Transport Units (CTU) and Unit Loads (ULD)
On my previous post I have explained the importance of freight containers in logistics.
Containers are the main Cargo Transport Units (CTU) in international transportation. They are used to carry Unit Loads (ULD) safely and securely.
Unit Loads makes the handling and storage of the goods easier, increases the safety and contributes to a more efficient logistics operations.
The most widely used Unit Loads in international transportation are pallets.
Exporting companies usually packed their goods into cartoon boxes and then place them on to wooden or plastic pallets. Then the cartons, that have been placed on to the pallets, are shrink-wrapped to secure the cargo.
Palletized goods that are shipped in containers increase not only loading and unloading efficiency, but also navigates through the distributions channels with minimum labor costs.
So it is very wise both exporters and importers to use pallets and containers at the same time. But standard containers have one disadvantage.
It is not possible to load maximum number of pallets in to the standard containers, because of a width constraint.
Pallet Dimensions
Euro pallets (1200 mm x 800 mm) and industrial pallets (1200 mm x 1000 mm) are two most frequently used pallets in international transportation.
Standard Dry Container Internal Width
Internal width of a standard containers is around 2352 mm.
It is not possible to load two pallets side-by-side in a standard dry container. ( 1200 mm + 1200 mm = 2400 mm > 2352 mm)
Pallet Wide Containers
Pallet wide containers introduced to eliminate inefficiency in the palletized container shipments.
Pallet wide containers and standard dry containers are actually the same containers except one difference. Pallet wide containers have thinner side panels.
Thinner side panels provide wider inside and this equipment is able to cover 2xEuropallet in wide. (1)
A Pallet Wide Container is manufactured approx 4 inches (10.2 cm) wider than a standard width container to enable the stowage of more pallets in a single tier thus eliminating the unused space that can occur in a standard width container. (2)
Please keep in mind that 40′ and 45′ pallet wide containers mainly available in high-cube format.
20′ Standard Dry Container vs 20′ Dry Pallet Wide Container
On below figure you can find container loading plans for 20′ standard dry container and 20′ dry pallet wide container.
How many euro pallets or industrial pallets fit into a 20ft pallet wide container?
Both containers can be loaded with 10 pcs of industrial pallets ( 1200mm x 1000mm) maximum.
But a 20′ pallet wide container can take 3 more euro pallets (1200mm x 800mm) than a standard 20′ dry container.
Note: Both calculations are based on 1 tier loading without stacking.
40′ Standard Dry Container vs 40′ Dry High-Cube Pallet Wide Container
On below figure you can find container loading plans for 40′ standard dry container and 40′ dry high-cube pallet wide container.
How many euro pallets or industrial pallets fit into a 40′ dry high-cube pallet wide container?
A 40′ high-cube pallet wide container can take more pallets than a 40′ standard container.
In terms of industrial pallets a 40′ high-cube pallet wide container can take 24 pallets, where as a 40′ standard container can only take 21.
In terms of euro pallets a 40′ high-cube pallet wide container can take 30 pallets, where as a 40′ standard container can only take 25.
Note: Both calculations are based on 1 tier loading without stacking.
45′ Dry High Cube Pallet Wide Container
A 45′ dry high-cube pallet wide container has the same width as other pallet wide containers around 2420 mm, but is the longest available container in service around 13624 mm internal length.
How many euro pallets or industrial pallets fit into a 45′ dry high-cube pallet wide container?
A 45′ dry high-cube pallet wide container can take 26 industrial pallets and 33 euro pallets.
References:
- Palletwide 40′ HC, https://www.turkon.com/en/ekipmanlar.aspx?ID=8
- 40′ PW DD – (40′ Dry Cargo Pallet Wide Container), http://www.oceanboxcontainers.com/4045-ft/40-pw-dc-40-dry-cargo-pallet-wide-container/
