Dunnage Air Bags Provide Protection for Your Intermodal Shipments

When you are shipping through intermodal means, your cargo is exposed to repetitive and extreme side-to-side movement. Moreover, since the cargo is usually shipped across long distances, it’s imperative that you take proper measures to ensure your load remains secure during transit and reaches its destination without any damage. However, that’s easier said than done! With intermodal containers posing their own set of unique challenges, providing your cargo the stabilization and protection it needs with conventional load securement methods is close to impossible. Load shifts, slack action, and sudden impacts during transit can cause more problems than just damaged cargo, including:

• Dissatisfied customers
• Lost sales
• Rejected loads
• Risk of worker injury
• Added costs for having to dispose, replace or salvage product

Intermodal loads are regulated by rail carriers and the Association of American Railroads (AAR), which requires that loads be secured using Level 1 dunnage air bags that protect intermodal shipments by compacting and repositioning the load towards the end walls, eliminating length-wise voids and filling voids that occur when cargo settles.

Dunnage Air Bags Provide the Protection You Need

Dunnage air bags are an effective and economical way to secure your cargo during transit, ensuring you can avoid the risk of damages. While they are increasingly being used for sea container and rail car shipments they also bring a wide range of benefits when used for heavier truck and intermodal shipments, such as:

• 100% recyclable
• Expands and contracts with changes in altitude and temperature
• Quick inflation
• Can be reused
• Highly flexible to take the shape of almost any cargo
• Maximum bracing to prevent movement
• Can be deflated easily

Steps to Install a Dunnage Air Bag

If you are considering getting dunnage air bags for your intermodal shipments, follow the steps mentioned below to ensure you install them correctly:

• Step #1: Choose the correct size and ensure the dunnage air bag covers as much of your cargo as possible.
• Step #2: Use buffer material in between the cargo to prevent any sharp points or edges from pressing against the bag.
• Step #3: Position the bag in the space as accurately as possible. It should not extend beyond the sides or top of the cargo and needs to be one inch above the floor.
• Step #4: Inflate the dunnage air bag by attaching the inflator tip to the valve. However, make sure you don’t go beyond the recommended air pressure.

So, are you looking for an effective method to secure intermodal shipments? Then, you should invest in dunnage air bags as they are capable of stabilizing and protecting a variety of cargo loads during intermodal shipping.