Unitarización de la carga: Pallets y Contenedores.

Summary

This lecture, led by Martín Tesoro, focuses on international freight transport and logistics management. It covers the concept of load unitarization using pallets (PET) and containers, explaining their role in improving the handling, storage, and transportation of goods. The session delves into various types of pallets, their materials, sizes, and uses in global trade, including reusable and disposable options. It also explores containers as key components in multimodal transport, emphasizing standards, regulatory frameworks, and different container types. The presentation highlights the importance of these logistics tools in optimizing supply chains.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pallets (pets) are essential units in international trade, used for grouping, stacking, storing, and transporting goods, starting from their use in World War I.
• 😀 Pallets provide a rational and safe way to handle cargo, and they must meet ISO standards to ensure efficient manipulation, especially with forklifts or pallet trucks.
• 😀 Pallets are made from various materials, including wood, plastic, metal, and cardboard, each suited for different transportation needs.
• 😀 Palletization refers to the process of combining smaller bundles of goods into a larger, unified unit, improving handling, storage, and transportation efficiency.
• 😀 Common pallet sizes include 120x80 cm (wooden pallets), 120x100 cm (ISO pallets), and smaller variations, each suitable for different cargo types.
• 😀 Pallets are classified based on their number of entries (two or four), their surfaces (normal or reversible), and their reusability (disposable or reusable).
• 😀 Pallets must be designed to withstand environmental factors like humidity and be durable enough to endure rough handling and multiple uses.
• 😀 Containers are vital units in cargo unitarization, facilitating the transport of goods without intermediate handling. They are constructed to be reusable and comply with international standards.
• 😀 According to international conventions, containers are standardized units, typically made of steel, designed for repeated use and can hold a minimum volume of 1 cubic meter.
• 😀 Containers come in different types such as standard closed containers, open-top, flat-rack, and refrigerated containers, with each type serving different cargo needs.
• 😀 Container documentation is essential for logistics, including a guarantee letter for leased containers, a bill of lading for cargo transport, and temperature control documents for sensitive goods.

Q & A

What is a pallet, and when did it begin to be used?

A pallet is a platform used for grouping, stacking, storing, handling, and transporting packaged goods, such as boxes, drums, and bags. It started being used by military forces during World War I between 1914 and 1918.

What are the key features of a pallet?

Pallets are designed to support goods without bending excessively and are resistant to damage during handling and storage. Their weight allows for manual handling, and their dimensions must be precise for use with automatic handling machinery.

What are the different types of pallets based on their usage?

Pallets can be classified based on the number of entrances (two or four), the number of surfaces (normal or reversible), and whether they are disposable or reusable. They can also be categorized by their material, such as wood, plastic, cardboard, or metal.

What are the advantages of using pallets in international transport?

Pallets improve efficiency by enabling better cargo stacking, reducing the need for manual labor, and allowing for faster loading and unloading. They are also cost-effective and help protect goods from damage and loss.

What is the difference between reusable and disposable pallets?

Reusable pallets are designed for multiple uses and often have a recovery system to ensure their reuse. Disposable pallets are used only once and are discarded after the shipment is completed, often used in air transport.

What are slip sheets, and how are they used in cargo handling?

Slip sheets are thin sheets, often made of solid cardboard or plastic, placed between goods and the pallet. They are used for transporting and storing goods and are moved using roller forks or the Push Pull system on forklifts.

What is a container, and how is it related to cargo unitization?

A container is a large, standardized unit used to group and transport goods efficiently. It is a key element of cargo unitization, which helps in organizing cargo into manageable units for easier handling, storage, and transportation.

How are containers regulated in Argentina, and what laws apply to them?

In Argentina, containers are regulated under the multimodal transport law (Ley 24921), which defines them as permanent transport equipment designed to facilitate the transportation of goods without reloading. The law sets requirements for their durability, labeling, and the handling of foreign containers.

What are the key dimensions of standard containers?

Standard containers come in sizes such as 20 feet (6.05 meters long) and 40 feet (12.20 meters long). The width of both is 2.44 meters, and the height is typically 2.59 meters.

What types of containers exist based on structure and temperature requirements?

Containers can be categorized by their structure (e.g., closed, open-top, flat-rack, or bulk containers) and by their temperature requirements (e.g., standard, refrigerated, or thermal containers). These variations are designed to transport different types of cargo, including oversized items or temperature-sensitive goods.