1. Container Requirements and Loading Calculations

Shippers and freight forwarders are continually looking for ways to save costs. One of the ways in which to do this is by containerizing or unitizing cargo.

By consolidating many shipments into one, then loading them into aircraft containers/unit load devices (ULDs), the shipper or freight forwarder can benefit from 2 cost savings: consolidating cargoand loading the cargo into a ULD themselves. Airlines may provide preferential rates for shipper loaded ULDs.

Note: Refer to Appendix 1 for conversion tables, weight/volume ratio, and W10 Book Notes Air Freight Container Types for ULD dimensions and maximum payload.

Estimating Example Note: For this assignment, the max. net weight of LD7 pallet is 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) and

the max. volume is 408 ft3 (11.5 m3).

1. A customer has 15 crates of auto parts and 150 cartons of brochures, total shipment volume is 803.4 ft3, total shipment weight is 27,000 lb. Only LD7 pallets are available for this aircraft/flight.

How many LD7 containers are required to move this shipment?

2. The customer tells you that each of the 15 crates is 46 in x 38 in x38in and each of the150cartonsis18inx12inx12in. Each crate has a weight of 1,500 lb, and each carton has a weight of 30 lb. We have previously estimated that the customer requires 3 x LD7 pallets. Now we can mathematically determine if our customers freight fits into 3 x LD7 pallets.

Tips:

ALWAYS start with the largest/heaviest cargo. Then fill up any remaining space with the smaller/lighter cargo.

Divide the length, width, and height of the shipment into the length, width, and height of the chosen container.

Container Loading Plan

Container Type	No. of Pieces	Actual Weight	Maximum Weight

2. Container Loading Plan

1. Shipment details:

• 36 wooden crates of machinery
• Each wooden crate is 40 in L x 20 in W x 20 in H
• Each wooden crate is 700 lb.

Tip: Convert cubic inches to cubic feet by dividing the cubic inch total by 1,728the number of cubic inches in one cubic foot. For example: 13,800 divided by 1,728 = 7.98 cubic feet. Dividing the weight of the shipment by the number of cubic feet will provide the density.

1. a) Estimate the number of LD7 pallets required to move this shipment in the most efficient manner, based on weight.

2. b) Estimate the number of LD7 pallets required to move this shipment in the most efficient manner, based on volume.

3. c) Complete a container loading plan to show the exact number of LD7 pallets required to move this shipment in the most efficient manner.

Container Type	No. of Pieces	Net Weight	Maximum Net Weight	Volume	Maximum Volume