Some overhead space may be lost if the height of the pallet load does not form a module of the height between decks or in the holds of the ship-or the internal height of the container. If the pallets are being made up on the quay this height may be adjusted (in some instances) to suit particular height requirements of the ship. “Tween decks may be designed for “user friendly” palletized cargoes”
While pallet loads may be made up in such a way that units are suitable for carriage under refrigeration, the following will need to be taken into consideration:
The air-flow through the cargo (if required) or around the cargo is not is not impeded by securing materials or the positions of the pallet loads.
If two-way entry pallets are being used, then the pallets must be so positioned that the correct air-flow is not blocked by the supporting members.
The deck of the pallet may have to be slatted or perforated to allow free movement of controlled temperature air. This is particularly important for cargoes (e.g. fruit) in packaging designed to allow vertical through-movement of air.
Handling and Stowage
A flat unobstructed area, e.g. deck space, is best suited for positioning and stowing pallets. They should never be dragged into nor out of the stow-such treatment will collapse the pallet (particularly) one-trip pallets) and make subsequent handling and storage difficult if not impossible.
Vessels which have ont been built with pallet handing in mind, e.g. without flush ‘tween deck hatch coamings. Etc., may need extensive preparation work carried out before loading commences, e.g.:
• Temporary wooden ramps to surmount hatch coamings.
• The removal of deck obstructions, e.g. ring-bolts, stanchions, etc.
• The bridging and squaring off of rounded bilges, excessive shear, rtc.
• Temporary strengthening of hatch covers, tank tops, ‘tween decks, etc., with plates to allow for axle loading of fork lift trucks.
• Point loadings may be very high when a fork lift truck is under load, and considerations should
• Be given to the classification societies’ point loading figures (usually expressed in tonnes per square metre).
A table of truck weights and loadings is given below:
The stowage of the ship has to be planned with the strength and size of the units carefully considered. Two-way entry pallets and skidded units should be stowed so that the truck always has an entry to the cargo available. This is particularly important where the vessel is discharging at more than one port, and is often referred to as the “flow line” of the pallets. This “flow line” should be marked on the cargo plan with arrows.
If a solid stow is obtained immediately beneath the hatch square it is necessary to have key pallets clearly marked on the stowage plan to indicate which have to be lifted out first to allow access to the remainder of the stow and introduce the appropriate mechanical handling equipment. These pallets may with advantage, under most circumstance, be left with slings in place at time of loading to aid the process of discharging.