When dealing with many goods, the most important part of logistics is not the transport itself, but how the cargo is received, unloaded, temporarily stored, and prepared for the next movement. This is especially true for roll-forged steel, sheet coils, industrial rolls, heavy pallets, non-standard cases, racks and materials that cannot simply be lowered with a standard forklift and left in the warehouse.
When cargo transloading is required
When dealing with many goods, the most important part of logistics is not the transport itself, but how the cargo is received, unloaded, stored temporarily, and prepared for the next movement. This is especially true for heavy, roll, non-palletized and non-standard industrial goods, where it is not enough to simply secure a truck and a standard forklift.
The most common situations where you need transloading are:
- changing a truck or transportation mode;
- dividing a shipment to multiple recipients;
- consolidating several deliveries into one shipment;
- temporary storage before final delivery;
- redirecting cargo to another recipient or another destination;
- preparing goods for export or subsequent international transport.
The benefit of transloading is that it avoids unnecessary trips, allows better grouping of goods, and facilitates transportation. Instead of organizing a separate transport for each shipment, the goods can be received, sorted and dispatched in a more logical way.
Cargoes that require a special approach
Not every cargo can be handled in the same way. The following types of cargo require particular attention:
- rod pallets, steel coils and heavy metal rolls;
- coils with large diameter, including foils, cables and industrial materials;
- non-palletized cargoes that do not have a clear resting base;
- non-standard crates, racks, machines and industrial elements.
These cargoes are more complex because they can roll, slip, deform, scratch or shift when improperly lifted. For sheet metal, for example, the problem is not only the weight, but also the condition of the edges and surface. For wire, the stability of the reel, the way it is strapped and whether the cargo can be safely engaged through the central opening are important.
Therefore, for such consignments it is necessary to know in advance what the cargo is, how it is packed, how it can be lifted and how it should be left in the warehouse.
Awl for unloading rolls – when it is used
Unloading awl is used for reel cargo when the reel can be gripped through the central opening or in a way that allows stable lifting and movement.
Such equipment can be suitable for steel rods, sheet metal reels, cables, foils and other industrial rolls. The main idea is that the cargo is not pressed incorrectly from the side and does not deform during lifting. With proper assessment, the awl allows more stable taking on the reel and more controlled movement in the warehouse.
However, it should be stressed that not every reel can be handled in the same way. Before unloading, the diameter, weight, width, material, central opening and surface sensitivity must be clarified. If the reel is unstable, if the opening is not suitable or if the material can be damaged by improper support, another gripping method must be chosen.
At A Logistics we pay attention to these details because correct unloading starts before the lift itself. The more precise information you provide beforehand, the easier it is to select the appropriate equipment and avoid unnecessary risks.
Clamp for unloading reels with large diameter
When unloading and transloading reels, a standard forklift with typical forks is often not sufficient. Depending on the cargo, an unloading clamp can be used – a specialized grip or attachment that helps the reel to be lifted, moved and positioned more stably.
This is especially important for reels with a large diameter. When looking for an unloading clamp for reels up to 165 diameter, you should consider not only the reel size but also the weight, width, material, packaging, and the way the cargo can be safely gripped.
If inappropriate equipment is used there is a higher risk for the cargo. It can lead to deformation of the reel, damage to the edges, scratching of the sheet metal, slipping or a dangerous situation in the work area.
Therefore, for such cargo the most important question is not only whether it can be lifted, but how it should be lifted. This is the difference between formal unloading and properly organized warehouse operation.
Unloading reels of wire and sheet metal – main risks
The reels of wire and sheet metal are a typical example of cargo where weight, shape and surface create specific hazards. With them, the problem often is not visible at first glance. The reel may look stable on the truck, but at the first lift it can shift, slip or change its center of gravity.
The most common risks are:
- reel displacement during lifting;
- slipping at an incorrect angle or inadequate support;
- rolling when left on an unprepared surface;
- damage to the edges on sheet metal reels;
- deformation due to improper underlaying or pressing;
- risk to people when working with heavy metal rolls.
Therefore, before handling it must be clear what the weight is, what the dimensions are, how the cargo is packed and where the safe attachment point is. If these data are missing, the warehouse operation becomes slower and riskier. In many cases the delay does not come from the transport, but from the cargo arriving without enough information about how to unload it.
How the cargo is prepared before storage
After unloading, the cargo should not be left in the first free spot. The first step is to check its condition – whether there are visible damages, damaged packaging, deformed edges, signs of moisture or displacement. Then the units, documents and markings are verified to clearly understand what was received and how it should be handled.
For reels and rolls it is assessed whether the cargo should remain on a pallet, rack or another support. The goal is to prevent rolling, crushing, contact with moisture, dust or surfaces that could damage the material. For sensitive surfaces it is important that the cargo is not moved unnecessarily and not placed in a zone where there is a risk of collision with other equipment.
At A Logistics we plan storage according to what will happen to the cargo after unloading. This means that already at acceptance it must be clear whether the cargo will wait briefly, whether it will be transloaded soon, whether it will be grouped with other shipments or whether it will stay for a longer period.
Storage optimization
Storage optimization does not simply mean gathering more cargo in a smaller area. In practice, it is much more important that the cargoes are arranged so that they can be processed with the minimum number of movements. Every unnecessary displacement takes time, engages equipment and increases the risk of damage.
For heavy reels this is particularly important. If a reel is placed in an inconvenient location and then has to be moved several times, the risk grows with each subsequent move. The same applies to non-standard crates, racks and non-palletized cargo that cannot be handled as quickly as standard pallets.
Good arrangement often means that the most frequently needed cargo is more accessible, heavy reels are not moved unnecessarily, shipments for the next transport are grouped in advance, and non-standard cargo does not block work zones. This saves time for both the warehouse and the carriers waiting for loading or unloading.
Transloading optimization
Transloading is most effective when it does not start the moment the truck is already on the ramp. It is necessary to know in advance what cargo is arriving, what needs to be unloaded, where it will be placed and what the next destination will be.
Good organization reduces the downtime of trucks and the risk of damages. For this, appropriate equipment, a free maneuvering area, a clear distribution of cargo by destinations and good communication between warehouse, freight forwarder and client are required. When cargo from Europe arrives in Bulgaria and must continue to another city, the Balkans or the Middle East, any delay in the warehouse can affect the entire route.
At A Logistics we organize the transloading in advance to avoid delays, unnecessary movement of cargo and last-minute decisions. This is especially important for groupage cargo, non-standard shipments and goods that must be combined or separated before the next transport.