Loading Bagged Grain in a Shipping Container

A sealed container can swing from hot to cold at sea, and moisture condenses on cargo.

Before loading

• Inspect the container: clean, dry, no holes or odours, door seals intact.
• Dry grain to safe moisture and cool it before loading.
• Use dunnage or liners on the floor and walls where required.

Loading

• Stack tightly to the roof in a stable pattern so bags do not shift in transit; fill voids with dunnage or airbags.
• Spread weight evenly and stay within the container's payload limit.
• Avoid damaged bags, loose bags and wet bags.

After loading

Seal and record the seal number, take loading photos and keep a sample. Consider ventilated containers or desiccants for long voyages in humid climates.

Plan documents and inspections in advance so containers do not wait on the quay.