Top Functions of Container Depot | LOTUS Containers

Container depot plays a major role in the shipping container industry. An average-sized shipping vessel carries approximately 20,000 shipping containers, each carrying cargo weighing around 67200 pounds. This translates to an enormous amount of trade between countries. With millions of shipping containers sailing across the sea every day, there has to be someplace where they can be rested and stored until the next shipment. Container depot services are an important part of the whole shipping process of cargo.

The task of loading and unloading goods is a time-consuming process. Between that, the cargo containers need to be kept at a certain place where they are safe and protected and under surveillance until the next assignment.

A container depot is that space where shipping companies, carrier companies, or freight forwarders store their containers temporarily. The depot provides several services like cleaning, repair, and maintenance. Usually, the depot is located within the port or nearby area. Once shipping boxes have been unloaded, they are loaded on trucks and sent to the depot, where they are registered by company officials.

Unavailability of storage space could hinder many activities related to the transportation of cargo from one location to another. Most of the container supplying companies do not have enough space to store shipping boxes and they do not own any depot. So, having a container supplier who offers container depot services altogether will take away most of your worries as you wouldn’t have to rush for loading and unloading of cargo.

Basic Functions of a Shipping Container Depot

Serve as a Storage Space

This is one of the most essential container depot services. Whenever a ship arrives at the port, the cargo containers are then unloaded and sent to the depot where further goods are deconsolidated. Many times, containers are also kept there due to delays in customs clearance. Keeping them at the port would lead to congestion and would hinder the upcoming shipment.

One of the major issues that container depot services solve is the holding of empty containers after unloading at the receiving party’s warehouse. Therefore, to avoid congestion at the port, as soon as goods are unloaded, empty containers or full containers waiting for customs clearance are sent to the depot. A container depot acts as a buffer for the terminals which is a low-value activity taking valuable space at the port.

 Helps to Maintain a Constant Flow

Another advantage they offer is that they maintain a constant supply of freight containers, especially during the busy season. Ports do not necessarily have a gamut of containers all around the season. Whether it is any container type from a dry van, pallet-wide, or double door, they can be easily found at a container depot. Sometimes when there is a busy season or when the ship carrying empty containers is taking longer to return, shipments of other vendors get hindered. To overcome this, the depot plays a crucial role. They serve to solve the problem of shortage and bottlenecking of cargoes waiting to be loaded on board.

For example- A ship carrying 15,000 cargo containers left the port of Hamburg for the port of Miami. Due to some reason ship couldn’t return to Hamburg on time and it created a shortage of containers. And at the same time, they have tons of cargoes of various vendors committed to being sent on time. To balance this, the port of Hamburg will call containers from nearby depots.

Once containers return from Miami, Hamburg again has ample containers with them. The Port will then sent containers back to the depot.

Cleaning Services

The cargo unit needs to be cleaned especially when chemical-rich goods have been shipped or in case of any leakage or spilling of goods out of the package. Without cleaning, the shipping box could hold massive contaminated and dangerous substances like mold, fungi, bacteria, dust, the residue of previously shipped goods, etc. which will be harmful to the next shipment that will be transported in that particular cargo box.

Most often, customers ask for clean containers to ship their consignment because if it is left untreated, it could be harmful to the cargo and crew who come in contact.

Usually, a pressure washer is used to clean, and the freight unit is cleaned with special cleaning products. The cleaning product might be harmful to people, therefore, people who are assigned for cleaning wear gloves and goggles to protect themselves. Cleaning is mostly done at the depot because it has wide space which is sufficient to provide a section for cleaning containers.

Repair & Maintenance Services

Shipping containers are strong, durable, and sturdy and serve multiple purposes during their entire life span. Once in a while, they need maintenance and servicing. During the transition, they encounter harsh weather conditions, multiple lifts and dropping, loading and unloading of cargo. All these damage their condition like dents, patches, scratches, breakage, holes, etc. These damages could range from small-scale dents to a major overhaul that needs to be repaired for proper functioning.

Some container types like reefers, insulators, and tank containers often need to be checked especially their heating and cooling systems attached to them to prevent a short circuit in the middle of the journey. The container depot becomes the perfect place where damaged boxes are brought and lined for repair.

Assistance with Customs

Many times, due to inaccuracies in paperwork, your cargo can also be delayed for attaching the wrong paperwork, missing out on some important documents and, shipping illegal products can lead to delay in the custom clearance for days and weeks. In such scenarios, shipping boxes are sent to the depot to avoid congestion at the port.

Consolidation & Deconsolidation

Freight consolidation or FCL is a process by which multiple shippers come together to combine their freight to ship them within a particular geographical region into a single shipping box. This often happens when shippers have to ship goods in small quantities. The overall price is determined by calculating the total weight and volume which is further divided among all the shippers. The shipping containers after reaching the port of destination are taken to the depot where the freight is deconsolidated and shipped to the final authorized person. Since breaking down the consolidated items takes time, the container is carried to the depot to avoid congestion at the main port or terminals.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, container depot occupies a crucial part in the global supply chain and contributes to the smooth functioning of import and export. Having container depot services available by your container supplier is itself a boon. The information mentioned here tells you about container depots and its role in the shipping industry. LOTUS Containers is one such container supplier company that has more than 300 depots around the world helping customers acquire storage and shipping boxes anywhere anytime.