Precautions for Transporting Wet Cargo through Air and Sea Freight

The global shipping industry is responsible for transporting goods and connecting businesses across borders. Everything from machinery, electrical equipment, to food items are transported via air and sea freight all over the world. Similarly, some goods are classified as wet cargo as it composed of products that are liquid, emit liquid, or might produce liquid by nature such as frozen and fresh meat/ fish, liquid chemicals, petroleum products as well as live animals with much excreta.

In order to ensure the safe transport of wet cargo products and deliver it in their expected conditions, there is some important information that you need to know.

1.  Fresh and frozen food items

Food items due to their short life and high probability of spoilage are one of the most challenging goods for transportation.  

Although other products can be kept on board vessels for several months while being shifted between ports, however, food items are one of the few goods that should reach on time. That is why a large percentage of food transportation usually takes place through air freight. However, ships and other vessels can also be used to carry food items in bulk and shipped simultaneously through a single voyage.

Food items are commonly transported through reefer vessels or container vessels. These refrigerated ships have built-in temperature controlling units to ensure that the temperature is maintained throughout the storage and shipping of goods. The temperature can vary in accordance with the foodstuff being shipped but should be usually kept below 0⁰C as it not only maintains the lifespan of goods but it also helps in preserving the food from bacteria and other food spoiling agents. Moreover, the cargo should be packed properly, separated appropriately according to the weight, and should be stacked at suitable levels to avoid issues during mid-journey shifting.

2.  Petroleum goods and their byproducts

Wet cargo such as petroleum and its byproducts are usually liquid in nature and are transported in bulk. They are highly volatile and pose a serious threat to the crew and cargo handlers. Therefore, in order to provide safe shipping of such products, the entire cargo should be double-shelled to ensure that there is no leakage during a collision. Moreover, in order to reduce sloshing, ships with slosh-proof tanks, longitudinal divisions, and bulkheads should be used in cargo storage holds. Adequate care must be taken when shipping flammable goods since the volatility of such liquids cannot be reduced feasibly.

3.  Livestock and animals

Livestock and animals are most commonly transported between countries for breeding, meat, or animal byproducts. In order to ensure that these animals can survive the long journey ahead of them, certain mechanisms must be provided to ensure proper nutrition consumption. Furthermore, necessities for the regular cleaning of the livestock and living holds along with proper ventilation should be facilitated.

Modified bulk carriers and specialized vessels are used for the shipping of such animals as decks present within these vessels compartmentalize the different categories of animals easily. Mostly multi-deck vessels are preferred as this system allows the animals to reach their destination in the best condition. Furthermore, HVAC systems are used to provide proper ventilation in such ships. 

4.  Hazardous and toxic chemicals

A large part of the freight industry handles the transportation of chemicals and related products. The global demand for such products requires large-scale transportation of such items. Hazardous and toxic chemicals pose several challenges to transportation such as corrosion of ships or container units, toxic leakage, accidental poisoning, and contamination. In all such situations, there is a higher risk to crew members, handlers, and operators as the improper storing and shipping of these products can result in potentially hazardous side effects.

Reinforced and specially constructed storage units should be utilized to transport chemicals and poisonous goods safely. Moreover, effective ventilation and HVAC systems should be present throughout the ship to prevent the inhalation of toxic fumes. Vessels with double shell configurations should be used to ensure that the chemicals do not leak into the ocean and cause environmental hazards. Containers should not be completely filled with liquid chemicals. About 20% of the container’s height should be left unfilled during transportation to avoid leakage due to an increase in temperature.