Description

1.      CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

 The problem of three Dimensions container loading has existed for over five decades. However, modern approaches have failed to offer a permanent solution to the issues. Surprisingly, the current approaches to mitigation of 3D container problems are advancements of the previously existing methods (de Azevedo et al., 2012). Also, it is quite absurd to note that some suitable approaches and opportunities have never been utilized, yet can provide an appropriate solution to this issue. This description encloses the theme of this Dissertation.  Based on this phenomenon, this dissertation presents an in-depth analysis of the state-of-art in the field of 3D container loading. The problem of packing three dimension containers is an issue that has been generated naturally from the ancient containers, namely the one dimension and two dimension containers (de Azevedo et al., 2012). This issue is mostly associated with the package of products that can easily fit in tanks or trucks and the products that are first packed on the pallets.

1.1.            Introduction of Container Loading

            Transportation at sea all starts with container loading. Container loading is broadly used to mean arranging or packing goods of various sizes and design in a container such that each space within the container is counted for both for economic gain and efficient transportation. Container loading is done based on some specific requirements. The primary person in the container loading process is the shipper. The shipper is responsible for efficient filling of the container and does this by selecting the right container. The shipper must check and record the vessel chosen to ensure that the demands of the order are entirely met. He also examines the status of the tank to check if there is any leakage, especially around the doors. In this regards, the entries are efficiently reviewed before loading to avoid wastage of time. Damaged areas and repairs are also tested to ensure that the container is in good shape. After selecting the right container and testing it to ensure that it is the right container for the job, stuffing is then done. This marks the beginning of the cargo loading process. This process is crucial for the entire transportation process, and the shipper must ensure that the load is spread evenly within the container (Tran-Dang, Krommenacker, and Charpentier, 2017). Uneven loading can cause damage to the cargo. In this regards, all the spaces within the container, ranging from one wall to the nest, must be utilized entirely. Parking the container tightly is crucial in keeping the cargo safe by limiting movements that might lead to damages.

1.2.            Container Terminal

The use of the container in transporting goods for trading and transportation services has become crucial in the present days than before. This importance is expected to increase shortly and beyond due to the rapid growth and development of trade across the world. Based on initial studies, the number of containers that are shipped internationally is expected to grow to over 500 million by 2022. The increase in container use in the international business was influenced by the introduction of large vessels, which require not only more but deeper wafts for the temporary storage of the containers. Also, the use of container gained more essence following the introduction of three dimension containers, which are advancements from the 1D and 2D bottles.

1.3.            The History of 3D Containers

Containers have been taken for granted in the present society because they are common and can be seen in every port or even along the roads being transported by trucks to various destinations. However, it is essential to note that containers have come a long way to the presently used 3Ds. The history of shipping containers is dated back beyond the pre-shipping period when the man moved across seas taking food and raw materials barely inside a boat. However, boats were also few and could be hardly present in goods collection points. In this regards, products were collected in a port warehouse as the shipper waits for a boat to come. In those days, goods were loaded into the vessel typically through the use of crates, bales, and sacks. This ancient mechanism was referred to as break bulk cargo as one ship would carry about 200,000 loads.  This situation depicted the utmost level of lack of standardization as it took a lot of time for products to be transported from the ships to a cargo. This inefficiency induced the urge to standardize the shipping process. As a result, McLean created the first type of containers at around 1995. However, the journey remained procedural. For instance, he first introduced one dimension containers, which the latter advanced having been convinced by his ideas. Later on, he developed the 2D vessels to 3D, which are widely used today for shipping activities, and are present at virtually every sea and airports. However, his development did not mean that the advancement of the containers stopped. Beyond 1956 to date, containers have been standardized and also expanded considerably to make the shipping process more efficient.