How to do the storage and hangling of loads in ports?

The processes of storage and movement of cargo in ports are fundamental parts of efficient logistics. These processes are important to preserve the integrity of the products in the containers, promote safety, optimize operations and routes and guarantee success as a result.

To understand even more about the relevance of these procedures, we interviewed Rodrigo Rocha, commercial manager of Wilson Sons Logistics Centers, and Luciano Leite, manager of the Container Terminal at Wilson Sons in Salvador. They explain, with greater clarity, the details behind these processes. Let’s go!

Why is it important to transport and store cargo correctly?

The act of storing and transporting different types of products at the same time, as is the case with logistics centers, requires care. In addition to taking care of the constant optimization of resources, searching for good practices in logistics guarantees the quality of the stocked items and promotes ease in locating, moving, and handling each container.

Without proper care – that is, by neglecting the use of appropriate equipment, the correct type of storage and the classification of each item, for example – can compromise the quality of the goods, cause damage and even put the team at risk.

How to carry out these activities properly?

Port logistics professionals must have high degrees of specialization and competence. It is necessary to pay attention to some specific points, which include:

• cargo arrangement and location.
• isolation of incompatible loads.
• risk mapping.
• quantity calculation.
• specificities of each product.
• customer experience.

This last point is extremely relevant in the storage and movement of cargo in ports. According to Leite: “There are three factors to be considered: reliability, traceability and predictability. In this sense, although the technology available for container terminals is very level, some differentials are decisive to make a terminal attractive to the customer, such as agility in electronic data exchange, commitment of the team to the immediate solution of possible failures, as well such as transparency in operational tactical information. In addition, today’s traceable data set brings great peace of mind to customers”.

Rocha adds: “The customer does not have access to the monitoring part of the customs zone. However, there is a portal through which he can do the entire process of contracting the terminal services – without any interaction with people – in addition to following the container tracking. This innovation brings excellent results in terms of transparency”.

Finally, it is important to emphasize the care with details. “Certain cargo profiles need, for regulatory reasons or physical characteristics, additional attention. Temperature control requirements or an exceptionally large load are examples of this. We take care of those points. The custody of the cargo given to us needs to be safeguarded so that it enters and leaves the terminal properly,” says Rocha.

Risk management

A point of great importance! In addition to the factors mentioned, the professional performance and the regulations behind the processes aim at compliance and minimize accidents – as seen recently in Lebanon. In Brazil, according to Leite, control is extremely strict.

“You can’t have, for example, a corrosive charge stored next to a flammable charge. There is a table of incompatibility of dangerous loads, which we strictly follow with the use of an automated module of our operating system. In addition, this system also informs us of all dangerous cargo scheduled to arrive at the port. If it exceeds the capacity set by the authorities when it is planned, an alert is sent to occupational safety personnel”, says the manager.

In addition, extra precautions are taken. Rocha talks about the attention that specialists have in relation to all the materials stored and transported. “The United Nations has a dangerous cargo treaty called the UN Code. All signatories must follow this legislation. There, professionals from the regulatory area enter. They evaluate and analyze what can or cannot be stored, the quantity and the compatibility”.

What precautions should be taken when storing and moving cargo in ports?

Knowing the relevance of adequate logistical processes, both regarding quality and safety, it is time to check good practices to be considered during operations. Know more!

Sort and position correctly

This is a crucial point. He talks about responsibility when dealing with each type of product. According to Rocha, “the classification comes from the UN, where the classes of risk are stipulated, made by three numbers. They are universal to everyone. Flammable liquid, for example, has a specific numbering. In this way, there is a gradation of dangerousness through the numbers”.

The professional adds: “This is important when it comes to ensuring more severe treatments as risk levels increase. There is also a quantity limit issue that needs to be observed. In short, every cargo must have labels, that is, stamps that indicate its type”.

“There are also FISPQ (Chemicals Safety Data Sheet). Each incoming cargo is specified in terms of treatments. In addition, they inform about the type of packaging (bag, cans, big bags, etc.). In the event of an incident such as a leak, this is the first document that the occupational safety team consults to mitigate the situation. It tells you what to do if the item meets your eyes and hands. In the event of major incidents, we have a contract with a company specialized in combating environmental incidents to act with due treatment”, concludes Leite.

Caring for the safety of the team

The use of infrastructure, the use of personal protective equipment and respect for processes are fundamental points in risk management. According to Rocha, “when it is a person handling the load, there is all the training aimed at the employee regarding the use of PPE – such as gloves, overalls, inhalation protections, etc. This is done with the intention of ensuring proper transport and handling”.

Count on available innovations

The evolution of storage and cargo handling at ports ensures that technology is an ally of good practices in logistics – especially regarding agility and efficiency in industry 4.0. Leite explains: “Today, we receive all the necessary information through a portal. It is no longer necessary to receive the paperwork 6, 7 years ago on our gates. Today, our gate is fully automated, and all documentation is inserted, checked and validated in advance via scheduling via the Customer Portal”.

Rocha adds that “technology has brought up the issue of data analysis and business intelligence, which has been advancing and connecting the artificial intelligence and internet of things. These elements collaborate with our work, referencing the location of the cargo, for example, in an automated way”.

The Commercial Manager of the Logistics Centers concludes: “Wilson Sons has been at the forefront of this issue, bringing more safety and speed in handling cargo – in order to preserve lives, bring agility, simplicity and cost reduction to processes”.

Cargo storage and handling operations at ports require specific care – both in terms of safety and quality. It is essential to have experts on the subject currently. It is only by giving the necessary attention to each part of the process that it will be possible to guarantee compliance, a high standard of service and the best results in port intelligence.

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