WHAT IS SNAKE LOADING AND HOW DOES IT MAXIMIZE CONTAINER UTILIZATION?

Are you looking for a way to optimize your container utilization? Have you heard of snake loading? This innovative technique is gaining popularity in the shipping and logistics industry for its ability to maximize container capacity and improve efficiency. Let us explore what snake loading is and how it can benefit your business.

Snake loading is a method of packing cargo into containers that involves alternating the direction and orientation of the cargo. By strategically arranging the goods in a snake-like pattern, more items can fit into the container, making full use of the available space. This technique is particularly useful for irregularly shaped items or goods with varying sizes.

One of the major advantages of snake loading is the increased capacity it offers. By arranging the cargo in a way that minimizes wasted space, businesses can transport more goods in each shipment, reducing costs and maximizing profitability. Additionally, snake loading can help improve container stability, minimizing the risk of damage during transit.

By adopting this method, businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction. So why not give snake loading a try and see the difference it can make for your business?

Understanding Container Utilization

Container utilization refers to the effective use of available space within shipping containers. Efficiently utilizing container space is crucial for businesses involved in international trade as it directly impacts the cost-effectiveness and profitability of their operations. Maximizing container utilization allows businesses to transport more goods in each shipment, reducing costs associated with multiple shipments and increasing overall efficiency.

Traditionally, cargo has been packed in a straightforward manner, with items neatly stacked from floor to ceiling. This method often leads to wasted space due to irregularly shaped items or empty gaps between goods. However, more advanced techniques, such as snake loading, offer a more strategic approach to packing cargo, allowing for a higher utilization of container space.

Benefits of Effective Container Utilization:

1. Cost Savings: By maximizing the amount of cargo in each container, businesses can reduce the number of shipments needed, thereby cutting down on transportation costs.
2. Improved Efficiency: Efficient container utilization streamlines the loading and unloading processes, leading to faster turnaround times and better use of resources.
3. Environmental Impact: Fewer shipments mean reduced fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to more sustainable logistics practices.
4. Enhanced Profitability: Lower transportation costs and improved efficiency directly contribute to the overall profitability of the business.

Techniques for Maximizing Container Utilization:

1. Snake Loading: This method involves packing cargo in a winding or serpentine pattern, which helps to fill gaps and irregular spaces more effectively than traditional stacking.
2. Load Planning Software: Advanced software can optimize loading patterns and help to plan the most efficient use of container space.
3. Modular Packaging: Using standardized packaging sizes can simplify the loading process and reduce wasted space.
4. Training and Best Practices: Ensuring that staff are trained in the latest packing techniques and best practices can significantly improve container utilization.

The Concept of Snake Loading

Snake loading is a method of packing cargo into containers that involves alternating the direction and orientation of the cargo. By strategically arranging the goods in a snake-like pattern, more items can fit into the container, making full use of the available space. This technique is particularly useful for irregularly shaped items or goods with varying sizes.

When implementing snake loading, the cargo is loaded in a way that minimizes wasted space. Rather than stacking items in a linear manner, the goods are arranged in a pattern that resembles a snake, hence the name. By carefully planning the placement of each item, businesses can optimize container utilization and achieve higher load densities.

Snake Loading is used to ensure products are loaded into the container in a sequence in which they will be unloaded and stored at destination (i.e. cargo sorting by SKU at origin CFS). The primary advantage being an overall increase in unloading efficiency (by up to 2 hours) and decrease in cost. The illustration below shows how cargo would be packed using this concept.

Advantages of Snake Loading

Still wondering why Snake Loading is an option?

• Increased Capacity: One of the major advantages of snake loading is the increased capacity it offers. By arranging the cargo in a way that minimizes wasted space, businesses can transport more goods in each shipment, reducing costs and maximizing profitability. This is especially beneficial for businesses that ship large volumes of goods on a regular basis.
• Improved Container Stability: Snake loading helps improve container stability during transit. By strategically positioning the cargo, the risk of shifting and damage to the goods is minimized. This is particularly important for delicate or fragile items that require extra care and protection during transportation. The improved stability provided by snake loading can help reduce the incidence of damaged goods, leading to higher customer satisfaction and lower costs associated with returns and replacements.
• Better Organization and Accessibility: Additionally, snake loading allows for better organization and accessibility of the cargo. By carefully planning the arrangement of items, businesses can ensure that goods are loaded and unloaded in a systematic manner. This can save time and effort during the loading and unloading process, improving overall operational efficiency.

Factors to Consider Before Implementing Snake Loading

Before jumping into using Snake Loading, businesses need to assess whether the benefits of snake loading outweigh the potential drawbacks in terms of labor costs and operational complexity. Take a look at some points that need to be considered:

• Nature of the Cargo: The nature of the cargo plays a crucial role in determining whether snake loading is the most suitable method. Goods that are irregularly shaped or have varying sizes are ideal candidates for snake loading as they can be packed more efficiently in a snake-like pattern, specially in boxes of various sizes.
• Type of Container: Another factor to consider is the type of container being used. Snake loading is most effective in shipping containers with an open floor plan (most standard containers), as it allows for more flexibility in arranging the cargo. Containers with fixed structures or compartments may limit the ability to fully utilize snake loading techniques.
• Weight Distribution: It is important to consider the weight distribution within the container. While snake loading can maximize container utilization, it is crucial to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed to maintain container stability. Uneven weight distribution can lead to imbalances during transportation, increasing the risk of accidents or damage to the goods.
• Loading and Unloading Process: Lastly, businesses should also consider the impact of snake loading on the loading and unloading process. While snake loading can improve efficiency, it may require additional time and effort to properly arrange the cargo. Businesses need to assess whether the benefits of snake loading outweigh the potential drawbacks in terms of labor costs and operational complexity. Outsourcing the loading to an expert such as Kerry Logistics, can guarantee the loading and unloading efficiency in this manner.

Steps to Maximize Container Utilization with Snake Loading

To maximize container utilization using snake loading, businesses can follow these steps:

1. Assess the cargo: Evaluate the shape, size, and weight distribution of the goods to determine if snake loading is a suitable method.
2. Plan the arrangement: Design a loading plan that optimizes the use of available space by strategically arranging the cargo in a snake-like pattern. Consider the weight distribution and stability of the container during planning.
3. Secure the cargo: Use appropriate securing methods, such as straps or braces, to prevent shifting during transit and ensure the stability of the loaded goods.
4. Monitor weight limits: Keep in mind the weight limits of the container and ensure that the cargo does not exceed the maximum allowable weight. Consider the weight of the goods and packaging materials when calculating the total weight.
5. Train personnel: Provide training to personnel involved in the loading and unloading process to ensure they understand the principles and techniques of snake loading. This will help maintain consistency and efficiency in container utilization.

Real-life examples of Snake Loading in different industries

Snake loading has been successfully implemented in various industries to maximize container utilization. Let's take a look at some real-life examples:

1. Automotive industry: Car manufacturers often utilize snake loading to transport vehicle parts and components. By arranging parts in a snake-like pattern, more items can fit into each container, reducing the number of shipments required. This not only saves costs but also improves the overall efficiency of the supply chain.
2. Retail industry: Retailers that import goods from overseas suppliers can benefit from snake loading. Irregularly shaped items, such as furniture or home decor, can be efficiently packed using snake loading techniques, allowing for more items to be transported in each shipment. This results in cost savings and faster delivery times.
3. Pharmaceutical industry: Snake loading is also applicable in the pharmaceutical industry, where delicate and sensitive products need to be transported with care. By strategically arranging the cargo, the risk of damage during transit is minimized, ensuring the integrity of the products. This is particularly important for temperature-sensitive medications and vaccines.

These real-life examples demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of snake loading in different industries. By adopting this technique, businesses can optimize container utilization and enhance their logistics operations.

How does this look in numbers?

Let's consider a scenario in which a company ships a mix of small, medium, and large boxes using standard 40-foot shipping containers.

In this case, 2,270.5 cubic feet of the container is utilized, significantly reducing wasted space.

Improvement Calculation

To calculate the percentage improvement in space utilization from traditional loading to snake loading:

• Traditional Utilization Rate: (1,912 / 2,390) * 100 ≈ 80%
• Snake Loading Utilization Rate: (2,270.5 / 2,390) * 100 ≈ 95%

Percentage Improvement

Improvement=(95%−80% / 80%)×100=18.75%

Thus, snake loading improves container space utilization by approximately 18.75% compared to traditional loading.

Practical Example

A company shipping 10 containers a month with traditional loading (80% utilization) would need:

• Volume of goods: 10 containers * 1,912 cubic feet = 19,120 cubic feet

Switching to snake loading (95% utilization):

• Volume per container: 2,270.5 cubic feet

Number of containers required with snake loading:

Containers needed=19,120 cubic feet / (2,270.5 cubic feet/container) ≈ 8.42

Rounding up, the company would need 9 containers instead of 10, saving one container's worth of shipping costs per month.

Challenges and limitations of Snake Loading

While snake loading offers numerous benefits, it is important to acknowledge the challenges and limitations associated with this technique.

One challenge is the need for careful planning and coordination. Snake loading requires a well-thought-out arrangement of the cargo, which may take additional time and effort compared to traditional packing methods. This can result in increased labor costs and operational complexity, especially for businesses that handle a large volume of goods.

Another limitation is the suitability of snake loading for certain types of cargo. Goods that are too large or heavy may not be suitable for snake loading as they can pose challenges in terms of weight distribution and stability. Additionally, fragile or sensitive items may require extra care and protection, which may be more difficult to achieve with snake loading techniques.

Furthermore, snake loading may not be compatible with all types of containers. Containers with fixed structures or compartments may limit the flexibility required for efficient snake loading. It is important for businesses to assess the compatibility of their containers with snake loading techniques before implementing them.

Alternative methods for maximizing container utilization

Although snake loading is an effective method for maximizing container utilization, there are alternative techniques that businesses can consider based on their specific needs and cargo characteristics.

1. Cubic loading: Cubic loading involves filling the container from floor to ceiling, utilizing the vertical space. This method is particularly suitable for goods that are uniform in shape and size, such as boxes or pallets. By efficiently stacking the cargo, businesses can maximize container utilization without the need for complex arrangements.
2. Palletization: Palletization involves loading cargo onto pallets or platforms that can be easily moved using forklifts or other handling equipment. By standardizing the size and shape of the cargo, businesses can optimize container utilization and simplify the loading and unloading process.
3. Bulk loading: Bulk loading is a method commonly used for loose or granular materials, such as grains or minerals. It involves filling the entire container with the cargo, without the need for individual packaging. This method maximizes container capacity and is often used for transporting large quantities of homogeneous goods.

These alternative methods provide businesses with options to maximize container utilization based on the specific characteristics of their cargo. It is important to assess the suitability of each method and choose the one that best fits the requirements of the business.

Snake loading is a valuable technique that can greatly enhance container utilization and optimize logistics operations. By adopting this method, businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction. Snake loading offers increased capacity, improved container stability, better organization, and accessibility of cargo. However, it is important to consider factors such as cargo characteristics, container type, weight distribution, and associated challenges before implementing snake loading.

While snake loading may not be suitable for all types of cargo or containers, alternative methods such as cubic loading, palletization, and bulk loading provide businesses with additional options to maximize container utilization. Each method has its own advantages and limitations, and businesses should carefully evaluate their cargo characteristics and operational requirements to determine the most appropriate approach.

Does this sound like something that would be interesting for your business? We can arrange this type of loading for you.