Damage Type
Damage Type of a Shipping Container refers to any specific physical, structural, or surface defect, contamination, or deterioration that impairs the container’s ability to perform its intended function. That is, to protect cargo from external influences, enable safe and efficient handling throughout the entire logistics chain, and comply with international safety standards (ISO, CSC, etc.).
Shipping containers are constructed from highly durable Corten steel specifically designed for extreme intermodal transport conditions – by sea, rail, and road. Their lifecycle includes exposure to extreme weather, vibrations, mechanical impacts, and chemical influences. However, even the highest quality containers are not immune to various types of damage that arise from handling, operational wear, breach of standard procedures, or environmental influences.
Classification of damage types is standardized (IICL, CEDEX ISO 9897, UCIRC), which enables clear communication across carriers, freight forwarders, insurance companies, and inspectors. Correct determination of damage type is key to assessing risk, establishing liability, performing repairs, and ensuring cargo and personnel safety.
Basic Principles – When is a Container “Suitable for Transport”?
Structural Integrity
Structural integrity represents the container’s ability to withstand all static and dynamic forces during operation – that is, lifting by crane, stacking (up to 9 containers on top of each other), vibrations, and impacts during sea voyages or rail transport. Key structural elements:
- Frame: Main load-bearing structure (corner posts, upper and lower longitudinal members, front and rear cross members).
- Corner Castings: Extremely reinforced corners for handling, stacking, and securing.
- Walls, Roof, Floor: Corrugated steel panels and multi-layer plywood flooring provide the container with rigidity and protect the cargo.
Damage to any of these parts fundamentally affects handling safety and the possibility of legal use in transport.
CSC Plate (Container Safety Convention)
Every container intended for international transport must have a valid CSC plate – an official certification confirming that it has passed the prescribed safety tests according to the Convention for Safe Containers (CSC 1972). Significant structural damage can invalidate this certification, and the container is then excluded from operation until professional repair and new inspection.
Cargo-worthiness
A container is recognized as “cargo worthy” if it is:
- clean, dry, without any damage threatening the cargo,
- tight (watertight and airtight),
- structurally intact.
Even seemingly minor holes, damaged seals, or residues from previous cargo can compromise an entire shipment.
Main Causes of Container Damage
Damage can occur anywhere in the logistics chain:
- Improper Handling: The most common cause. Collisions during transport at the port, inexpert crane operation, forklift misuse, poor securing device application. Inexperienced operators often cause deformations, dents, or shell ruptures.
- Extreme Weather Conditions: Storms, strong winds, heavy rains during voyages can cause container displacement and falls. Salt seawater significantly accelerates corrosion, while temperature differences cause condensation (“container rain”).
- Improper Loading and Cargo Securing: Unbalanced or poorly secured shipments can damage interior walls, doors, and floors during transport. Overloading leads to structural or floor destruction.
- Traffic Accidents: Truck rollovers, train derailments, ship collisions, or sinking – all often result in total container destruction.
- Wear and Tear: During a 15–25 year lifespan, protective coatings are lost, corrosion occurs, seals are damaged, and floors deteriorate.
- Contamination: Residues from previous cargo, chemicals, odors, or pests compromise the container, especially for sensitive or food products.
Classification of Most Common Container Damage Types
Structural Damage
| Damage Type | Description and Consequences |
|---|---|
| Deformation (bending, twisting, skewing) | Frame is not rectangular, doors won’t close, dangerous stacking, often irreparable. |
| Dents and Bulges | Local panel deformation from impact. Deep dents reduce strength, bulges limit compatibility with ship guide rails. |
| Holes, Punctures, Cracks | Complete panel compromise (e.g., forklift tines), fundamental loss of tightness, risk of water, pest, and theft entry. |
| Cracks and Breaks | Most often in welds or stressed parts, spread quickly, can lead to failure. |
| Corner Casting Damage | Blocked, cracked, or deformed castings prevent safe handling and stacking. |
Component and Surface Damage
| Damage Type | Description and Consequences |
|---|---|
| Corrosion and Rust | Begins where coating is damaged, surface corrosion is cosmetic, deep corrosion causes pitting, thickness loss, hole formation. |
| Abrasions and Deep Scratches | Occur during handling, expose steel, accelerate corrosion, can compromise panel load capacity. |
| Door Damage | Bent locking bars, broken hinges, seal damage. Significant impact on tightness and safety. |
| Floor Damage | Cracks, cuts, delamination, rot, chemical or oil contamination. Severely damaged floors threaten cargo stability. |
| Roof Damage | Dents retain water, accelerate rust, punctures mean loss of tightness. |
Specialized Damage
| Type | Description and Consequences |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated Containers (Reefers) | Cooling unit damage, insulation damage, T-floor blockage – critical risk for temperature-sensitive goods. |
| Tank Containers | Shell cracks, valve leaks, insulation damage – risk of hazardous substance release. |
Inspection, Damage Codes, and Repairs
Inspection Process and Inspector Role
Container Inspector
is a specialist trained to assess structural integrity, cleanliness, and overall condition according to strict international standards. Inspectors check containers at every handover (in-gate/out-gate), before loading and after unloading. They document results using standardized codes and detailed photographic documentation.
Standardization and Damage Coding
Main Standards and Systems:
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization): Dimensions, strength, marking (e.g., ISO 668, ISO 6346).
- CSC (Convention for Safe Containers): Safety certification, requirement for legal transport.
- IICL (Institute of International Container Lessors): Strict inspection and repair criteria (especially for leased containers).
- UCIRC: Criteria especially for older or storage containers.
- CEDEX (ISO 9897): Damage coding system – precise description of type, location, and extent of defect.
Example Code:
H-RP-4
- H: damage type (Hole)
- RP: location (Right Panel)
- 4: severity/size (according to table)
Container Repairs
Repairs must be performed according to applicable standards (IICL, UCIRC, ISO), using only original certified parts! Otherwise, certification loss and transport exclusion risk.
- Rust Removal: Blasting or grinding to clean metal.
- Coatings: Base and top protective coatings.
- Patching: Welding a new steel patch at the hole/crack location.
- Panel Replacement: For major deformations, the entire panel is cut out and replaced with a new one.
- Component Replacement: Seals, locking mechanisms, valves, floor panels.
Without regular maintenance and professional repairs, long container lifespan and safety cannot be guaranteed.
Responsibility and Damage Prevention
Who is Responsible for Container Damage?
Responsibility is always determined by the specific contract (e.g., bill of lading), location, and cause of damage. Most common responsible parties:
- Shipper: Poor packing, unsecured or overloaded cargo, concealed hazardous materials.
- Carrier (Shipowner): Poor handling, transport accident, equipment failure.
- Terminal/Operator: Loading/unloading errors, depot collisions.
- Receiver: Damage during unloading at destination.
Key is thorough inspection and photographic documentation at every handover.
Cargo and container insurance also serves to resolve disputes.
Damage Prevention – Recommended Practices
- Personnel Training: Regular training of crane operators, forklift operators, and handlers.
- Proper Loading and Securing: Compliance with maximum weight, even distribution, use of dunnage (packing materials).
- Regular Maintenance: Inspection of coatings, seals, moving parts. Timely rust and leak removal.
- Technology: IoT sensors for impact monitoring, AI cameras for automatic damage detection at depot entry/exit.
Customs and Security Container Inspection
Every container is regularly subjected to customs and security inspection, which includes:
- Container identification by code (ISO 6346).
- Integrity, tightness, absence of hidden spaces, and contamination checks.
- Verification of compliance with transport documentation.
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