1 Main requirements of steel coil packs — Establishing the first line of defense against ship-going hazards.
The physical barrier to be broken is prevented by steel coil packaging by such means as “anti-corrosion, physical damage prevention and displacement prevention”. This material, dimension, shipping history and destination environment of the coil must be integrated to create layered protective systems and to prevent “naive wrapping”, “perfunctory bundling” (or a variety of kind of rough operations). It is established that following standardized packagings, the transportation loss rate of steel coils is reduced from 8.7% to 0.9%, while using incorrect packs does not only lead to damage of goods but also leads to rejection, claims for failed compliance with maritime standard. The packaging process should be conducted in accordance with the four principles of “material compatibility, layered protection, tight and reliable fixation, and clear marking” and the particular characteristics are:
1.1 Pre-packaging preparations — simple checks and pre-treatment
Such pre-treatment on the ready is important for not allowing the damage to happen after the package.
Two separate work processes are to be carried out, one is the examination and treatment of the steel coils and the other is the choice and examination of packaging materials. Regarding pre-treatment of steel coils, the first step must entail cleaning off the surface oil spots, rust, dust and other impurities, so that the surface is properly dry and free from damage.
So if moisture is found on the surface of the steel coils it rusts easily when shipped by sea; if there are sharp protrusions it can also puncture the packaging material. For cold-rolled coils, galvanized coils and other corrosive materials, further anti-rust pre-treatment is necessary. By applying anti-rust oil or wrapping with vapor-phase anti-rust paper, that is done. The thickness of anti-rust oil film should never be less than 15 μm, and the vapor-phase anti-rust paper should be applied to the surface of the steel coil without wrinkles or damage. At the same time, the specifications of the steel coil (diameter, width, weight) need to be checked to ensure that the packaging plan matches the parameters of the steel coil, and not to loosen bundling or fail protection because of mismatched packaging size.
In the selection of packaging material, it is important to take materials which are resistant to seawater, wear and tear, stretching, and moisture and water absorption.
The essential materials and requirements are as follows: Rust-proof layer materials: Cold-rolled coils, galvanized coils, and stainless steel coils are recommended to be based on vapor barrier paper (with their shipping validity period of 12 months), hot-rolled coils, and regular carbon steel can have rust-proof oil (with its shipping validity period of 6 months); high-value silicon steel coils and nuclear power steel coils are recommended to be based on aluminum foil sealing + desiccant combination (with a shipping validity period of 24 months);
Moisture-proof layer materials: Select polyethylene waterproof film, with 0.12mm thickness or more, and the sealing performance must be good in order to avoid seawater and moisture from getting into the coils; Buffer layer materials (the pearl cotton, foam boards or hardwood padding chosen as buffer to the surrounding edge and surface of steel coils), and the impact applied during transportation to prevent deformation and surface scratching of the steel coils were in place; Binding materials: High-strength steel strips (with an anti-tensile strength ≥ 6000N) or steel wire ropes, 7.7 mm diameter or larger, with a single rated pulling force of at least 10 tons. Never use ordinary iron wires which are rust and breakage prone.
Conversely, use anti-abrasion sleeves to ensure that binding material does not rub against and harm the steel coils and packaging films; . Apart from this, the packaging materials must be also checked beforehand to ensure that it is not damaged, odorless and corrosive, and to comply with international maritime packaging standards (ASTM D3951, IMO MSC.1/Circ.1354, etc.).
1.2 Packaging Specifications: Underlay by material variation
Steel coils, being constructed with different materials and specifications, have differing corrosion resistance and resistance to damage. Thus a “separated layered packaging system has to be applied in this way to propose “a three-layer defense system” composed of “inner layer rust defense, middle layer moisture protection, outer layer buffering and fastening”. The particular implementation of the same is as follows:
1.2.1 Normal hot-rolled steel coil, a.k.a ordinary coil, with regular hot-rolled steel coil packings for ordinary
The surface of steel coil top is covered with iron oxide scale, which has excellent corrosion resistance. Packaging concerns are about preventing physical damage and mild moisture protection.
The system will be operated as follows: ① Inner layer: apply rust-proof oil on the surface of the steel coil (or cover it in normal rust-proof paper to avoid making any omissions or crevices); ② Middle layer: Wrap the steel coil tightly with polyethylene waterproof film, with the overlap rate not less than 50%. Seal the ends with tape to prevent moisture from entering; ③ Outer layer: Add hardwood corner guards (or foam corner guards) to the edge of the steel coil to prevent edge erosion and distortion. Then use strong steel straps to fit, with the binding interval being no greater than 30cm. Finally, add the finishing touch: one more end of the binding at all directions and in the middle so that its solidity is not compromised. ④ Bottom: Add wood pallets (the wood of these pallets is dry and non-destructive, free from insect destruction and have no less than 10cm × 10cm cross sections).
At this point the pallets then should match with the shape and scale of steel coil and with a bearing capacity equal to or greater than 1.2 times the weight steel coil is in order to ensure that the steel coil is unable to get in contact directly with the ground or the bottom of the container, thus the surface is not moist or wearable. 1.2.2 Packaging of Cold-Rolled Steel Coils and Galvanized Steel Coils. These steel coils have smooth surfaces without any iron oxide scale and are rust and scratches prone. The packaging should also be for rust handling, scratch prevention and moisture protection.
Operating steps: ① Inner Layer: Closely wrap the steel coil with vapor phase rust-inhibiting paper at a density not less than 60%. Overlap of 5-10 cm out at either end at both the coil end face front and rear. Seal with rust-inhibiting tape (at the surface and edge to seal off) and seal off all air/moisture exposure; ② Middle Layer: Seal in pearl cotton (the thickness shall not be less than 5mm), covering the entire surface & edges of the steel coil and making sure the end face of a coil to absorb any blow of impact, or scratches; ③ Outer Layer: Wrap and seal with another waterproof wrap (polyethylene barrier) with an overlaying rate of no less than 50% and attach to the ends solid seal with watertight tape; ④ Bundles: Fit with high-strength steel straps to seal with at least 25cm bundling distance.
Insert one bundling into each end and in the middle. Insert anti-abrasion sleeves at the contact points between the steel straps and steel coil to prevent the steel straps from scratching the packaging and the steel coil surface; ⑤ Bottom: Install a non-slip wooden pallet, using a moisture proof mat on pallet surface. In this phase, a non-slip mat should be used to secure the steel coil to the pallet in order to prevent the coil sliding when transported
1.3 Packaging Audits: Avoiding Unqualified packaging exit.
After pack, it needs inspection full stop. Packages are only sent to sea on inspection. Check for signs; check for wear of rags or loose sections; inspect for loose steel straps wearing on the fabric; check the appearance and wear of the padding, and put in place suitable protective clothing.
Inspect The following are some important points of inspections: ① Protective Layer Inspection. The protective barrier of the layers of surface protection, moisture resistance and protection areas; that are unblemished and uncapped as well as the seal on them are checked. Proper placement of desiccant and humidity indicator cards are also indicated. ② Strapping Check. Stlink the gauge; Look inside to see no missing steel bars/wire ropes; Check for any broken strands from outside this bandages-that are loose, otherwise wear and tear protection sleeve can be seen. ③ Labeling Check-Up. The number of clear and complete stickers is also an element of this area as well as whether it stays affixed perfectly. ④ Dimension and weight inspection: Check that the packed size and weight support shipping packages and bulk carrier load load on the containers; Also make sure pallet carry capacity.
Special inspections: Special steel coils for rust control, anti-magnetism, or vacuum sealing will need to be checked. The protective effects can be tested for salt spray test and humidity detection. Any packaging that does not pass inspection must be promptly corrected and repackaged, and then re-inspected until it complies with the requirements — unqualified packaging getting into a sea transport stage can easily result in claims of cargo damage, and can even interfere with ship loading and unloading.
Chapter 2 Safe loading of steel coils at sea – Stabilization of operation to prevent displacement hazard.
Steel coils are heavy load vessels with heavy structure in combination with high gravity and density of container. Misuse of sea-jobs during loading is common and easily lead to displacement, compression and collision, ruining the coil and thus possibly endangering the ship’s navigational health. A significant number of steel cargo damage incidents result from incorrect loading and inadequate handling on the part of stevedores, statistics from the P&I Club show. In some cases, we have detained ships needing hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars guarantees for their release.
Be it shipping containers or bulk carriers, having good “alignment center of gravity, secure lashing, right layering and avoid compression is mandatory so well as standardized loading, adapted to steel coil specifications and vessel type. 2.1 Expected loading performance : Ship and site inspection. Ship compatibility inspection, site preparation and cargo verification should be carried out before loading with a view towards ensuring that the loading environment is safe, the equipment meets the standards and the cargo is correct;
It needs to check if the vessel type (container ship, bulk carrier) meets the steel coil transport requirements with ship checking. In bulk vessels, one must examine the water tightness in the hatch cover, verify its sewage well valve is complete to prevent seawater infiltration or sewage backflow while navigating. The container body must be examined and the age of containers to be chosen is less than 7 years and the nameplate of container should also be examined, to guarantee undamaged, undeformed and leak-free container body, and to ensure the bottom plate load-bearing capacity is at least 1.2 times the weight of steel coil. Curbs or burrs in the container must not be sharp so that metal coil packaging can be scuffed.
At the same time, check the ship’s loading equipment (cranes, forklifts, lashing tools) to ensure normal operation. Crane must be rated at no less than 1.5 times the weight of steel coils. The forklifts should be equipped with anti-slip and anti-scratch fork sleeves. Lashing tools (steel straps, wire ropes, tensioners) should be intact and they shouldn’t be aged. With regard to preparation, the loading area shall be flat, solid, and without standing water and debris to prevent the steel coils from tilting or becoming wet. To prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the site, warning signs should be put up. Anti-slip mats, padding materials, and emergency kit (spare steel straps and waterproof membranes) and other items should be positioned in the loading and unloading area.
As for cargo verification, confirm steel coil parts, material, and condition of the packages in order to see if all the packaging is the correct and undamaged, and the markings are clear and the steel coils weight and size is the same as the description on the loading plan. Avoid loading of unsafe or impure articles on the vessel.
Steel coils can be stacked by the material and specifications to prevent mixing of materials (stainless steel coils, and ordinary steel coils should be loaded separately to avoid contamination (e.g., separate of each other). Different-weight steel coils should be spread across separate sections for loading in layers afterwards. 2.2 Shipping loading standards for containers (mainstream) The shipping of containers is beneficial considering its high security; low loss; it is easy to use and is time efficient. It is appropriate for steel coils of any kind, and particular for very brittle steel coils like cold-rolled coils and stainless steel coils. The way loadings are done is dependent upon the value of the steel coils and the size of the container, with a common layout. Requirements specify:
Placement Principle: Centered Gravity, Don’t Create Uneven Loadings. When placing steel coils into the container, the centering point of gravity should be with the center of gravity of the container to prevent any abnormal or uneven loading or load distribution in the container. The side to side load will shift, deform or even shift from side to side while maneuvering and cause hazards.
Precise positioning requirements: ① Single Steel Coil: “horizontal placement” is preferred (axis in this case of the steel coil is oriented along with the direction of the length of the container). Position in the center of the container, keeping it at a distance (not less than 10 cm with a distance of 10 cm between the ends both of the steel coil and the direction the container sidewalls will not collide (prevent collisions during navigation). When the steel coil has a large diameter, the “vertical placement” method can be used, but it is necessary to ensure that the bottom of the steel coil is tightly fitted to the container’s floor, ensuring a stable center of gravity. Additional reinforcement is required when placing it vertically to prevent tipping. ② Multiple steel coils: Arrange them in layers according to weight from heaviest to lightest and size from largest to smallest. The bottom layer of coils should be neatly arranged with their centers of gravity aligned. The top layer should be placed directly above the bottom layer to prevent misalignment that could cause compression or tilting.
Use cushioning pads (foam boards, pearl cotton) between adjacent coils to prevent friction and collision. When a single coil weighs ≤7 tons, the total weight of a stack of goods should not exceed 8 tons. Considering the stress characteristics of the front floor, it is recommended to place the smallest coil at the front of the container to prevent it from falling off. Bulk Carrier Loading Specifications (Supplementary) Bulk carrier shipping is suitable for large-volume, large-specification hot-rolled steel coils. The loading risks are higher than container shipping, requiring special attention to prevent cargo displacement, compression, and seawater damage. Specific specifications are as follows:
① Hold Pre-treatment: The bulk carrier’s cargo holds must be thoroughly cleaned, free of standing water, debris, and sharp protrusions. Moisture-proof mats (waterproof cloth, rubber mats) should be laid on the bottom of the holds to prevent the steel coils from getting damp and worn. Check the watertightness of the hatch covers to ensure there are no leaks or seepage. Check the sump valves to ensure they are not blocked and can be closed tightly to prevent seawater backflow and contamination of the bottom steel coils.
② Layered Loading: Steel coils in the cargo hold are loaded according to the principle of “layered placement and center of gravity alignment.” The bottom layer of steel coils is placed tightly to form a stable foundation, and the upper layer of steel coils is placed directly above the bottom layer to avoid misalignment. Padding materials (hardwood, foam board) are laid between each layer of steel coils to reduce interlayer friction and compression. The loading height does not exceed 80% of the cargo hold height to avoid instability caused by excessive cargo height, while leaving sufficient ventilation space to prevent moisture accumulation in the hold and causing sweat corrosion.
③ Overall Laying: Steel coils on bulk carriers are secured using a “lateral lashing + longitudinal reinforcement” method. Laterally, steel straps or wire ropes are used to connect each row of steel coils into a whole. Longitudinally, wire ropes are used to connect each layer of steel coils to the ship’s bulkhead and bottom fixing points. The lashing spacing does not exceed 40cm, and the tension is uniform to ensure the stability of the entire cargo stack and prevent any possibility of displacement. Buffer pads are installed between the edges of the steel coils and the bulkhead to prevent damage from collisions with the bulkhead.
④ Top Layer Protection: The top layer of steel coils must be covered with a waterproof tarpaulin, the edges of which must be securely fastened to the bulkhead, ensuring it is neither loose nor damaged. This prevents waves and rainwater from entering the deck during navigation and causing the steel coils to rust. Simultaneously, ballast materials (such as sandbags or wooden pallets) should be placed on the top layer of steel coils to increase cargo weight and prevent the top layer of steel coils from bouncing or shifting during ship pitching. 2.4 Loading Operation Prohibitions
To mitigate loading risks, the following operations are strictly prohibited: ① Unpackaged or damaged steel coils must not be loaded onto the ship; steel coils must not come into direct contact with seawater or bilge water.
② Improper stacking is prohibited: stacking coils not according to weight or in misaligned positions; loading height exceeding the prescribed limit; and no padding between adjacent steel coils.
③ Rough handling is prohibited: excessive speed or shaking during crane lifting; collisions with steel coil packaging during forklift loading and unloading; and dragging or rolling steel coils during manual handling.
④ Uneven loading or weight distribution is prohibited: the center of gravity of steel coils inside containers must not shift; and the weight distribution of cargo inside bulk carriers must not be uneven.
⑤ Mixing binding materials is prohibited: mixing ordinary iron wire with high-strength steel strips or wire ropes; and using binding tools with broken wires, aging, or damage.
⑥ Mixing steel coils with different protection requirements is prohibited: for example, mixing stainless steel coils with steel coils packaged with chlorine, which can easily cause pitting corrosion. Safety of Unloading and Delivery of Steel Coil by Sea: The final stage of steel coil sea freight—unloading and delivery—can still result in damage if handled improperly. Therefore, thorough cargo inspection and handover records are essential to avoid disputes after delivery. The unloading and delivery process must adhere to the principles of “standardized operation, careful inspection, and clear responsibilities” to ensure the safe delivery of goods to the consignee.
Unloading Operation Protocols. The process of unloading should be as meticulous as loading in order to minimize any loss of integrity, collisions, and damage that could arise.
Certain requirements may be:
① Equipment: Choose cranes and forklifts with rated lifting capacities that meet the requirements. Check equipment performance. Attach forklifts with fork sleeves and use dedicated lifting tools on cranes. When using a crane, avoid touching the steel coils (do not use wire ropes to directly bind steel coils to prevent scratching the packaging).
② Procedure: Lean slowly and smoothly when lifting, carefully avoid shaking and hitting the material. Place anti-abrasion sleeves between the lifting tools and steel coils. When loading and unloading forklifts, move slowly into and out of containers and cargo holds. This is to avoid getting into a collision with steel coils or containers. Unload safely, and as required also ensure there is no dragging or rolling steel coils;
③ Site-management procedures: the unloading site must be flat but firm with no standing water on it. Signage should be prepared with a good warning, who has direct responsibility for getting people to go and do things. No non-approved persons shall be allowed to use the unloading space. Steel coils must be sorted and in batches to prevent steel mixing and crushing after unloading. The stacking height shall not exceed two layers (one layer for heavy steel coils) and wooden pallets must be positioned at the bottom in order to avoid any direct contact with the ground;
④ Container Unpacking: If you are undertaking the unloading at a port of destination the triangular wooden blocks that were held inside the container should be removed completely so that it does not affect the loading carried out. Incomplete unpacking may cause claims for maintenance of container. Do not damage how the container and steel coil packaging are being unpacked.
Pre-Delivery Inspection. Once the steel coils are unloaded, the shipper, its consignee, and the carrier should carry out a delivery inspection together.
The inspection focus is identical to packaging and loading inspections, including the following:
① Appearance inspection: Inspect for damage, detachment, or any signs of moisture on the steel coil’s packaging; Inspect the surface of the steel coil for rust, scratches, deformation, or damage;
② Specification inspection: Inspect steel coil specifications (diameter, width, and weight), material and batch number to confirm consistency with bill of lading and packing list, as well as no errors in production material or omissions;
③ Quantity inspection: Determine the number of steel coils available to ensure conformity with bill of lading and packing list, check to ensure no losses or shortages;
④ Special inspection: Inspect easily corroded or high-value steel coils for rust, anti-magnetic property and humidity indicator record to ensure free of quality problems in goods. During the inspection process, very comprehensive records must be kept. All problems discovered (defective packaging, rusty steel coils, or deformations etc.) should be photographed, recorded and signed by every party to establish and unambiguously delineate the division of responsibilities.
Resolution and Delivery Verification of Dispute.
① Dispute Resolution: If the inspection reveals that damage, shortage, or that the steel coils are missing or not to standard specification, delivery must cease at once. The consignor, consignee, and carrier shall verify the issue together and trace the cause (including packaging damage, improper loading, poor maintenance during shipping and loading/unloading operations), indicating the responsible party. The carrier shall therefore take responsibility as the compensation for the issue (i.e., improper loading, maintenance en route or improper unloading operations). If the issue is from the consignor (e.g., packing is inferior or damages occurred prior to loading), the consignor shall be liable. If the issue is due to force majeure (such as damage caused by severe weather), the parties will negotiate a solution.
② Delivery Confirmation: Following the inspection process, all contractors will sign a delivery confirmation form which will detail the quantity, quality and time of delivery of the steel coils. After confirming everything was correct, the consignee will accept the goods. The signed delivery confirmation form shall be kept for filing as a key reference for a dispute resolution or claim. In the case of steel coils which are in only a small amount of damage, minor if it will not affect use, the parties will work out a good deal (either price relief or repair) and, upon reaching an accord, they will finish the delivery by signing an additional contract.