24 IBC totes in a 40 ft container

Stowage and securing instruction PDF

01Introduction

IBC tote: what this packaging is

IBC — Intermediate Bulk Container, a eurocube: a 1000-litre plastic container in a steel cage on a pallet. With this plan a 40-foot container takes 24 units: 20 in the first tier and 4 in the second tier in the middle of the container.

Dimensions
1200 × 1000 × 1163 mm
Capacity
1000 l
Tare weight
55–62 kg
UN packaging code
31HA1 — rigid plastic inner receptacle in a steel cage
Unit mass
0.900–1.070 t
In a 40' HC
24 units: 20 in tier 1 + 4 in tier 2

What is shipped

  • chemicals: resins, solvents, acids, alkalis, hydrogen peroxide — dangerous goods of classes 3, 5.1, 6.1, 8, 9, packing groups II and III (letter Y in the marking);
  • food liquids: oils, syrups, concentrates — only in food-certified totes;
  • technical liquids: lubricants, AdBlue, paints, liquid fertilisers.

Tote requirements

  • the design type is certified and the marking on the plate matches the certificate;
  • for dangerous goods a plastic tote may be used for no longer than 5 years from manufacture; leakproofness test at least every 2.5 years;
  • any manufacturer (Schütz, Mauser, Greif, Werit, etc.) with a valid certificate; a reconditioned tote carries the reconditioner's marking;
  • no cracks or leaks, cage and pallet undeformed, cap tightened, valve closed and capped;
  • every tote with dangerous goods shows the UN number and a hazard label of at least 100×100 mm on two opposite sides.

02Preparation

The 40' container and securing materials

A large 40-foot container (1A, 1AA) is used with inner dimensions: length 11,998 mm, width 2,330–2,350 mm, height 2,566–2,698 mm, rated gross mass up to 36.00 t. Cargo and container are prepared per items 1–3 of ch. 12 of the Technical Specifications, securing materials — per ch. 1 item 4.

Cargo
24 units, 21.600–25.680 t
Securing
0.523 t
CG offset
longitudinal 266 mm (≤ 1200), lateral 0 (≤ 100)
Cargo CG height
790 mm (≤ 1180)
Floor load
0.59 kg/cm² < 1.00 kg/cm²
Route
Vladivostok (Far Eastern Rly) → RZD network stations
  • The cargo is placed so that the projection of each unit's centre of gravity lies at the distances from the longitudinal and transverse planes of symmetry of the container given in the sketch.
  • The container is sound, clean, without sharp parts; its number matches the CSC plate.
  • The position of the outlet valves in the sketch is schematic.
  • All bar and board sizes are adjusted to the container's inner dimensions (* in the specification).

Securing specification

Pos.ItemSize, mmQty
1Stop baron the floor at the doors, ends in the corrugations; joined with 3 staples Ø6–8 mm L150–250150×150×2420*2
2Boardhorizontal boards of the shields at units 8+10 and 11+1350*×150×1000*4
3Boardvertical boards of the end-wall and door shields50*×150×1160*7–8
4Boardhorizontal boards of the end-wall and door shields, ends in the corrugations50×150×2420*6
5Barvertical bars of the shields at units 8+10 and 11+13100×100×2330*4
6Stop barhorizontal bars of the second-tier shields, ends in the corrugations100×100×2420*6
7Barinto the gaps at units 18 and 19: bar 150×100 + board 25×150150×125*×1000*2
8Boardstop structures at units 1, 4, 5, 16, 21, 2450×150×1200*12
9Barbars of the stop structures, 2 per structure150×150×250*12
10Postvertical posts of the second-tier shields (section to suit)50*×150×1200*7–8
Construction stapleØ6–8 L150–2503
NailsØ5 L15048
NailsØ3,5 L90112–118

* Adjust to the container's inner dimensions. Staples and nails — steel; timber — spruce, pine (GOST 8486-86). Securing mass — 0.523 t.

03Packaging marking

The marking must be legible and match the certificate

The packaging marking must be clearly legible and match the marking in the packaging certificate. It is either embossed on the plate or applied as a label.

un
UN symbol
31HA1
IBC for liquids: plastic receptacle + steel cage
Y
packing groups II and III
04 26
month and year of manufacture
RUS
state authorising the marking
IBC-RU 017
manufacturer
1960
stacking test load, kg
1210
maximum gross mass, kg

How to photograph

  • shoot the plate close up, straight on, without glare — every character must be legible;
  • the frame shows the packaging marking and the hazard label;
  • a distant overall shot of the tote is not acceptable for checking the marking.

Stacking two high

Totes may be stacked only if the design type allows it: the marking shows the stacking test load and the stacking symbol on the tote is not crossed out. The load must be no less than the gross mass of the upper tote.

04Step 1

End wall shield

The container end wall is protected by a shield: 3 horizontal boards 50×150×2420 mm (pos. 4) at the wall, ends in the corrugations, and 3–4 vertical boards 50×150 mm (pos. 3) the height of the first tier. Nail the vertical boards to the horizontal ones with nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm, two per connection.

Pos. 4 — at the wall
3 boards 50×150×2420*, ends in the corrugations
Pos. 3 — to the cargo
4 boards 50×150×1160*
Nails
Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm, 2 per joint
Shield depth
100 mm — up to the first row
  • Horizontal boards at three levels: at the floor, in the middle and at the top of the first tier. Trim the ends to the corrugation profile so the board fits tightly into the side-wall corrugations.
  • Vertical boards on top of the horizontals, on the cargo side, evenly across the width.
  • Cardboard is not used to protect the end wall.

Nails must never protrude with their sharp end towards the cargo.

Choose the nail length so that the sharp end of a nail never touches the cargo.

05Step 2

Row 1 — units 1 and 2

The first row goes tight against the end-wall shield. Both units have the long side along the container. A 350 mm gap remains at the right wall — the stop structure goes there.

  • Unit 2 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the left wall and against the end-wall shield.
  • Unit 1 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against unit 2 and against the end-wall shield.
  • Stop structure (pos. 8 + 9) — into the 350 mm gap at the right wall between the wall and unit 1 on the floor: 2 boards 50×150×1200 mm (pos. 8) — one against the container wall, the other against the tote pallet, with 2 bars 150×150×250 mm (pos. 9) between them at the ends. Nail each board to the bars with 4 nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm (two per connection).

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

06Step 3

Row 2 — units 3 and 4

The row mirrors the first: unit 3 at the right wall, unit 4 next to it, the 350 mm gap at the left wall — stop structure.

  • Unit 3 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the right wall and against the previous row.
  • Unit 4 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against unit 3 and against the previous row.
  • Stop structure (pos. 8 + 9) — into the 350 mm gap at the left wall between the wall and unit 4 on the floor: 2 boards 50×150×1200 mm (pos. 8) — one against the container wall, the other against the tote pallet, with 2 bars 150×150×250 mm (pos. 9) between them at the ends. Nail each board to the bars with 4 nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm (two per connection).

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

07Step 4

Row 3 — units 5 and 6

As row 1: unit 6 at the left wall, unit 5 next to it, stop structure at the right wall.

  • Unit 6 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the left wall and against the previous row.
  • Unit 5 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against unit 6 and against the previous row.
  • Stop structure (pos. 8 + 9) — into the 350 mm gap at the right wall between the wall and unit 5 on the floor: 2 boards 50×150×1200 mm (pos. 8) — one against the container wall, the other against the tote pallet, with 2 bars 150×150×250 mm (pos. 9) between them at the ends. Nail each board to the bars with 4 nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm (two per connection).

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

08Step 5

Row 4, first tier — units 7 and 8

Row 4 starts the two-tier block in the middle of the container (rows 4 and 5). Unit 8 is turned crosswise — 1200 mm across the container; a 150 mm gap remains at the left wall for the shield (pos. 2 + 5).

  • Unit 7 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the right wall and against the previous row.
  • Unit 8 — turned crosswise: 1000 mm along the container, 1200 mm across, tight against unit 7, against the previous row. The ends of units 7 and 8 facing row 3 are in one plane.

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

09Step 6

Second-tier shield — end-wall side

Before the second tier goes in, a shield is set on top of row 3: 4 vertical posts (pos. 10) towards the future second tier and 3 horizontal bars 100×100×2420 mm (pos. 6) on them; trim the bar ends to the corrugation profile and set them into the corrugations.

Pos. 6
3 bars 100×100×2420*, ends in the corrugations
Pos. 10
4 posts 50*×150×1200* (section to suit)
Nails
bars to posts — Ø5 mm L-150, 2 per joint
Shield turned 180°
posts to bars — Ø3.5 mm L-90, 2 per joint
  • The shield stands on the lids of the row 3 totes, at second-tier height.
  • Posts — two per second-tier unit, tight against the cargo: no gap between post and tote.
  • Bars — at the bottom, in the middle and at the top of the second tier.

Nails must never protrude with their sharp end towards the cargo.

Choose the nail length so that the sharp end of a nail never touches the cargo.

10Step 7

Row 4, second tier — units 9 and 10

Unit 9 goes on unit 7, unit 10 on unit 8 (also crosswise), tight against the shield posts. Then the 150 mm gap at the left wall gets a shield of 2 horizontal boards (pos. 2) and 2 vertical bars (pos. 5).

  • A tote may be stacked only if the marking shows a stacking test load no less than the gross mass of the upper unit.
  • Shield at units 8 + 10: 2 boards 50×150×1000 mm (pos. 2) at the wall, at the floor and at the top; 2 bars 100×100×2330 mm (pos. 5) against the cargo at the ends of the unit, the height of two tiers. Nail the boards to the bars with 4 nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm (two per connection). Bar pos. 5 may be notched around board pos. 2.

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

11Step 8

Row 5, first tier — units 11 and 12

Unit 12 — long side along, at the left wall. Unit 11 is turned crosswise; a 150 mm gap remains at the right wall for the shield (pos. 2 + 5). The door-side ends of units 11 and 12 are in one plane.

  • Unit 12 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the left wall, tight against unit 8.
  • Unit 11 — turned crosswise: 1000 mm along the container, 1200 mm across, tight against unit 12, tight against unit 7.

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

12Step 9

Row 5, second tier — units 13 and 14

Unit 13 goes on unit 11 (crosswise), unit 14 on unit 12. The 150 mm gap at the right wall gets a shield of 2 boards (pos. 2) and 2 bars (pos. 5), as at units 8 + 10.

  • The second tier sits exactly on the first; the upper pallet bears fully on the lower lid.
  • Shield at units 11 + 13: 2 boards 50×150×1000 mm (pos. 2) at the wall and 2 bars 100×100×2330 mm (pos. 5) against the cargo; 4 nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm per board.

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

13Step 10

Second-tier shield — door side

On the door side the second tier gets the same shield turned 180°: 4 posts (pos. 10) tight against units 13 and 14, with 3 bars 100×100×2420 mm (pos. 6) on them, ends trimmed and set into the corrugations. Nail the posts to the bars with nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm, two per connection.

  • The shield will stand on the lids of the row 6 totes loaded next; the bars are held by their ends in the corrugations.
  • Posts tight against the cargo, no gap.

Nails must never protrude with their sharp end towards the cargo.

Choose the nail length so that the sharp end of a nail never touches the cargo.

14Step 11

Row 6 — units 15 and 16

One tier again. Unit 15 at the right wall, unit 16 next to it, the 350 mm gap at the left wall — stop structure. The second-tier shield stands above this row.

  • Unit 15 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the right wall, tight against unit 11.
  • Unit 16 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against unit 15, tight against unit 12.
  • Stop structure (pos. 8 + 9) — into the 350 mm gap at the left wall between the wall and unit 16 on the floor: 2 boards 50×150×1200 mm (pos. 8) — one against the container wall, the other against the tote pallet, with 2 bars 150×150×250 mm (pos. 9) between them at the ends. Nail each board to the bars with 4 nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm (two per connection).

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

15Step 12

Row 7 — units 17 and 18

Unit 17 — long side along, at the right wall. Unit 18 is turned crosswise; bar pos. 7 goes into the gap at the left wall.

  • Unit 17 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the right wall and against the previous row.
  • Unit 18 — turned crosswise: 1000 mm along the container, 1200 mm across, tight against unit 17 and against the previous row.
  • Bar pos. 7 (150×125×1000 mm) — composite: a 150×100 mm bar and a 25×150 mm board, the board nailed to the bar with 3 nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm; two 150×50 boards and one 150×25 board nailed together may be used instead. Laid on the floor in the gap between the wall and unit 18.

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

16Step 13

Row 8 — units 19 and 20

A mirrored row: unit 20 along, at the left wall; unit 19 crosswise, bar pos. 7 at the right wall. The door-side ends of units 19 and 20 are in one plane.

  • Unit 19 — turned crosswise: 1000 mm along the container, 1200 mm across, tight against unit 17 and unit 20.
  • Unit 20 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the left wall, tight against unit 18.
  • Bar pos. 7 — into the gap between the right wall and unit 19, on the floor, as at unit 18.

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

17Step 14

Row 9 — units 21 and 22

Unit 22 at the left wall, unit 21 next to it, stop structure at the right wall.

  • Unit 22 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the left wall and against the previous row.
  • Unit 21 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against unit 22 and against the previous row.
  • Stop structure (pos. 8 + 9) — into the 350 mm gap at the right wall between the wall and unit 21 on the floor: 2 boards 50×150×1200 mm (pos. 8) — one against the container wall, the other against the tote pallet, with 2 bars 150×150×250 mm (pos. 9) between them at the ends. Nail each board to the bars with 4 nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm (two per connection).

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

18Step 15

Row 10 — units 23 and 24

The last row at the doors: unit 23 at the right wall, unit 24 next to it, stop structure at the left wall. About 300 mm remain from the cargo to the door plane — for the stop bars and the shield. Photograph the door opening without the shield.

  • Unit 23 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against the right wall and against the previous row.
  • Unit 24 — long side (1200 mm) along the container, tight against unit 23 and against the previous row.
  • Stop structure (pos. 8 + 9) — into the 350 mm gap at the left wall between the wall and unit 24 on the floor: 2 boards 50×150×1200 mm (pos. 8) — one against the container wall, the other against the tote pallet, with 2 bars 150×150×250 mm (pos. 9) between them at the ends. Nail each board to the bars with 4 nails Ø3.5 mm L-90 mm (two per connection).

Mind the placement: every unit is oriented exactly as in the sketch.

19Step 16

Stop bars and the door shield

On the door side the cargo is held by two bars 150×150×2420 mm (pos. 1) on the floor — trim the ends to the corrugation profile and set them into the corrugations, join the bars with 3 construction staples Ø6–8 mm L-150–250 mm. Above them — a shield: 3 horizontal boards (pos. 4) against the cargo and 3–4 vertical boards (pos. 3).

Pos. 1
2 bars 150×150×2420*, 3 staples Ø6–8 L150–250
Substitute
one bar — 1–2 boards 50×150, nails Ø4 L-100
Pos. 4 / pos. 3
3 horizontal / 3–4 vertical boards
Shield nails
Ø3.5 mm L-90, 2 per joint
  • If necessary, one bar at the doors may be replaced by two boards or one board 50×150 mm — nail the boards to the bar (to the board) with nails Ø4 mm L-100 mm.
  • Horizontal shield boards tight against units 23 and 24, ends in the corrugations; vertical boards on top of them, on the door side.
  • After securing, close the doors with the regular locks.

Nails must never protrude with their sharp end towards the cargo.

Choose the nail length so that the sharp end of a nail never touches the cargo.

20Step 17

Doors, number and hazard placards

Photograph the container with one door closed so that the number is visible. After loading, hazard placards are applied to the container according to the Rules.

  • Close the doors with the regular locks; the container number on the door must match the CSC plate.
  • For dangerous goods — a hazard label on every package (at least 100×100 mm) and placards of at least 250×250 mm on both side walls and both ends of the container; a single UN number over 4000 kg gross — the UN number on an orange panel (IMDG Code 5.3.2.1).
  • The forwarder is responsible for the tightness of the totes and their outlets; the stated dimensions, mass and centre-of-gravity position of every unit; conformity of the cargo with its safety data sheet; suitability of the tote for this cargo; even placement and reliable securing.

21Photo report

Done: 24 units, securing, photo report

Send the photos of all stages together with the packaging certificate — they are used to check stowage and securing before the container leaves the yard.

Loading documents

  • photos of all stages (photo report below);
  • packaging certificate — the marking matches the tote plates;
  • shipper's dangerous goods declaration;
  • for the sea leg — the Container Packing Certificate (IMDG Code 5.4.2), signed by the person responsible for packing.
Download PDF instruction

Compiled in accordance with ch. 1 items 1.6–10 and ch. 12 items 1–4 of the Technical Specifications for Loading and Securing of Cargo in Wagons and Containers (No. TsM-943) and the regulations listed at the end. For reference only: follow the plan approved for your shipment and the carrier's requirements.

Regulations and references

International regulations

  1. UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Model Regulations
  2. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code): ch. 4.1 — packagings and IBCs; 5.2 — marking and labelling of packages; 5.3 — placarding and UN number on cargo transport units; 5.4.2 — container packing certificate; 7.3 — packing of CTUs
  3. European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR): 4.1.1.15 — period of use of plastics IBCs; ch. 6.5 — construction, testing and marking of IBCs
  4. Agreement on International Railway Freight Communications (SMGS): Annex 2 “Rules for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods”; Annex 3 “Technical Specifications for Loading and Securing of Cargo”
  5. IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code), 2014
  6. International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 1972

Russian / CIS rules and specifications: railways, sea transport

  1. Rules for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (approved by the CIS Council for Railway Transport, minutes No. 15 of 05.04.1996)
  2. Technical Specifications for Loading and Securing of Cargo in Wagons and Containers (approved by the Russian Ministry of Railways, 27.05.2003 No. TsM-943), chapter on universal containers
  3. RD 31.11.21.18-96 “Rules for the Carriage of Cargo in Containers by Sea” (Rosmorflot order No. 39 of 22.10.1996)
  4. Labour Safety Rules for Loading and Unloading Operations and Cargo Placement (Order of the Russian Ministry of Labour No. 753n of 28.10.2020)

Standards

  1. GOST 19433-88 “Dangerous goods. Classification and marking”
  2. GOST 26319-84 “Dangerous goods. Packaging”
  3. GOST 14192-96 “Marking of cargo”
  4. GOST R 53350-2009 (ISO 668:1995) “Series 1 freight containers. Classification, dimensions and ratings”
  5. GOST R 51876-2008 (ISO 1496-1:1990) “Series 1 freight containers. Specification and testing. Part 1: General cargo containers”
Introduction01 / 21
Step animation playing

Scroll over text — next step · over scene — zoom

Loading 3D scene