Containers have long been a staple in the logistics industry. By providing uniform, immensely strong crates to transport everything from cars to rubber ducks, the effects that standardisation has had have been profound, to say the least.
While containers themselves haven’t changed much over the past few decades, the systems used to lift and transport them absolutely have. Here, we take a quick look at how you should start to lift a system to move those containers, from assessing which container you need to lift to questions surrounding regulatory compliance.
What kind of container needs lifting?
To start off, you’ll need to think about the kinds of containers that you need to lift and move. In most cases, container lifting systems from companies such as Joloda Hydraroll are designed to lift standard ISO containers, coming in either 20ft or 40 ft variations.
That being said, there are other containers that are sometimes used to contain more specific items. You obviously need to start off by ensuring that the option you choose is capable of lifting both the shape and weight of the containers that you use.
Where does the container need to be moved to?
Another important consideration you’ll need to keep in mind is where you need to move the container to and from. For example, you’ll need a very different system if you just need to lift a container a foot or two to get it off of a flatbed lorry, compared to if you need to transport it around a massive storage facility.
If you expect that your moving needs will expand or change in the near future, then you need to make sure that you adopt a solution that will be able to scale appropriately.
Manual or automated?
You’ll also likely need to choose to which extent you want your system to be automated.
If you run a large-scale operation, you may want to choose some kind of automated stacking crane that can have a huge impact on both efficiency and safety, while also reducing labour costs.
If, on the other hand, you only need to move around a smaller number of containers, then some kind of forklift or gantry crane system will likely be more than enough for your needs.
Regulatory compliance considerations
Lastly, you need to make absolutely sure that the container lifting system that you choose to go with is fully compliant with the relevant regulations. 40 ft containers can weigh up to around 30 tons fully loaded, and we shouldn’t need to state how dangerous it can be to lift something of that kind of weight and size using unsafe techniques and technologies.
Check that the system you choose to go with complies with both general HSE regulations, and any other regulations that might apply to your specific niche. If you’re looking to implement that same system in multiple countries, then it’s important that it’s compliant in all relevant jurisdictions, not only in the UK.
Getting the right container lifting system might not seem too difficult, but due to the risks and costs involved, it is something that you need to get right the first time. By covering these important points, you should be able to navigate the procurement process without too many issues.