 Process 1: lift the container from the yard onto the tractor trailer

Determine the position of the container on the handheld machine, move the forklift to
bring the spreader perpendicular to the container on the tractor trailer. The distance
between the front wheel and the forklift to the tractor must not be less than 0.76m to
capture the spreader. The cont must ensure that the 4-hump frame is completely inside
the 4-hump hole frame. When the yellow light indicates, press the hump lock button.
Before raising the container, make sure the spreader must be tightly closed. The hump
opening and closing indicator light indicates that the hump is locked, signaling with a
green light. Slowly raise the container 20cm to 30cm at a slow speed to check the
balance of the spreader and the stability of the container. Link the lifting container with
obstacles. During the process of lifting the container, moving the container into the
lowered position must have enough visibility to observe the obstacle ahead.

Note: if reversing, lower the container 30cm to 40cm from the ground, move slowly and
pay attention to the stability of the container. When lowering, make sure the spreader
coincide with each other and are vertical. Freely lower the shutter frame, press the
control button to open the hump, the hump opening and closing indicator light will turn
red. Proceed to slowly raise the spreader to ensure that the 4 - lock hump frame is
completely open and not connected to the container.

 Process 2: lift the container from the tractor trailer onto the yard

Same with the process 1. If the container is in a balanced position, continue to raise
the container and proceed backward. The truck step back and lowers the container
height accordingly. Then give a signal with 2 short hoots for the tractor to reverse into
position. Be careful not to lift and lower the container while steering and moving, lower
the container onto the trailer hook, and balance the container in the middle of the hook.
Lower the spreader freely, press the control button to open the hump, remember to
observe the opening and closing indicator light.

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Note: do not put 2 containers on 1 tractor trailer.

Picture 1. Reach Stacker

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 Forklift For Empty Container

Function: lift containers that do not contain goods inside to move and stack them in
rows to save port warehouse space, facilitate storage and inventory.

Process: when loading and unloading goods, goods are lifted vertically according to two
maximum height levels.

Picture 2. Forklift For Empty Container

 Container Trailer Truck

Function: pull trailers in river

ports, sea ports, land container
ports, and warehouses flexibly
and effectively.

Process: the truck backs up and

the crane lowers the container to
the appropriate height. Then
signal with 2 short whistles for
the tractor to back into position,
the container is lowered onto the
trailer and the container is Picture 3. Container Trailer Truck
balanced in the middle.

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1. TYPE OF SHIPS
Cat Lai allows Feeder ship which has the maximum capacity is 2900 TEU (about
2.900 containers 20 feet) & Barge ship to dock in Tan Cang – Cat Lai Port.

 Feeder Ship: a small or medium-sized cargo ship, used to transfer goods

between central ports and smaller or more distant ports. These cargo
consolidators are usually smaller in size than medium cargo ships or large cargo
ships and can transport different types of goods such as containers, packaged
goods, bulk cargo...
 Barge: a type of waterway transportation. Barges are equipped with large-
capacity engines used to carry goods in large quantities.

Picture 4. Barge Picture 5. Feeder Ship

5.1. Why don’t they let bigger ships dock to carry more goods?

To choose a suitable ship for navigation, Cat Lai bases that decision on the depth of
the harbour, distance from the port to the river mouth, and cargo handling capacity...
There are some reasons that Cat Lai does not accept bigger ships docking, which our
team researched and found after the field trip at Cat Lai port:

A huge ship needs a sturdy set of mooring bollards to tie up to in order to stay
docked safely throughout any winds that may be present in each port. The addition of
“dolphins”, or a small dock with attached bollards that extends out than the main dock,
may be necessary for long ships.

Harbour depth: dredging or the removal of sand, mud, and rocks from the harbor’s
bottom, may be necessary for ships that are exceptionally wide or extend further into
the water than usual. This can be used to deepen the harbor so that bigger ships can
dock there.

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 Safety issues: there may be dangers to the security of both the port and the ship if a
ship enters a port outside the permitted depth and size limitations. Restrictions on ships
size and depth are crucial for ensuring the safety of the ship, its cargo, and the port's
infrastructure.

Limited port facilities are available. Stronger facilities, technology, machinery, and
personnel are needed for larger ships to operate.

Larger ships need space to store their cargo because they frequently deliver quite
large products. More complex cargo management and sufficient onboard cargo storage
are also required to accommodate receiving ships with increasing size and tonnage. It
can be difficult to handle cargo aboard larger ships in terms of proper transportation,
location, and stowage.

Economic effectiveness: transportation costs and processing times will increase if

the port allows ships whose size and tonnage do not match those of the port. To meet
the country's transportation needs, the port must consequently improve operations and
boost efficiency.

Weather: if a ship is larger than allowed by the depth and size restrictions, it needs
better weather with a higher bearing capacity. These kinds of ships are not allowed to
land at Cat Lai Saigon Port due to the risk they pose to both the ships and the drivers.

 The expense of using larger ships would increase. Additionally, if Cai Lat utilizes larger
ships, it will be difficult for them to control the amount of cargo, increasing the
transportation time. Container trucks and transport ships being overloaded can have
negative, long-lasting effects. As a result, to promote safety, efficiency and to save
transportation costs, boats that are too large or too deep are not permitted to dock at
Cat Lai port.

2. WAREHOUSE
The warehouse we visited during the trip called Container Freight Station 2 & 3.
Those are import CFS warehouse.

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+ Import CFS warehouse: 18,000 m2, total
capacity of 12,500 pallets, 64 shelves, 26
import and export doors.

+ Manage goods by Barcode through

eWMS system.

+ Use a racking system in the process of

storing goods.

+ Rules for loading goods: heavy goods on

Picture 6. Container Freight Station (CFS)
the bottom, light goods on top.

+ The warehouse keeper's main task is to check goods and carry out procedures for
imported goods.

6.1. 3 typical devices used in the warehouse of Cat Lai

According to our team’s observation throughout the field trip, there are three typical
devices, which are being used in the warehouse in Tan Cang – Cat Lai harbour.

Electric forklift trucks: are used to transport the goods from the ground to the stacks,
which are very high inside the warehouse. They moved forward to transport the goods
and then, they moved backward to get out of warehouse. To know why they move in
that way, we have done some researches on the Internet. According to what we found,
this means of motion is a part of “Folklift Safety” guidance. Specifically, the drivers will
have to drive their vehicles backward if the height of the pile of goods limit their vision.
Thus, moving backward might be a better way for them to observe. In addition, there is
another special thing about these electric forklifts in Tan Cang – Cat Lai port - these
machines have the hydraulic system, which will enhance the power of those machines
significantly.

Pallets: these objects are made of wood and they look like big trays for us to load
the goods on. The design of a pallet is quite special – there will be two hollow,
rectangular spaces beneath the surface. The reason why they are designed in this way

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is that it will be easier as well as more suitable for the forklift trucks to lift those pallets -
two pointy bars of the forklift will penetrate the rectengular empty spaces under the
pallet.

Barcode readers: these handheld machines are used in the warehouse to scan the
bar codes, which are attached to every parcel there. By scanning these bar codes, we
can know the information of those parcels. For example, we will be able to know how
many products that were packaged inside a parcel, the origin of the products – where
they come from, etc. Those bar codes also contain information about the position of the
parcels in the warehouse, which might be useful when they need to find those parcels in
a very big place.

3. CONTAINER
There are many types of containers, mainly over 6 with different sizes to suit the
transportation process and types of goods. During the field trip at Cat Lai Port, the
instructor introduced us about the types of containers classified based on sizes and
types of goods.

Size

Referring to ISO standards, container has 3 main sizes which is 20’, 40’ & 45’. But in
Viet Nam, 45’ container are not used much.

 General Purpose 20 feet Container – 20’

GP

The most basic type, representing unit of

measurement called TEU. It is often used to pack
dry, heavy goods, and does not require volume such
as: rice, flour, steel…

In addition, container’s color will depend on the

color selected by the shipping line, and certain container will also paint their company's
name on the container for easy recognition.
Picture 7. General Purpose 20 feet Container
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  General Purpose 40 feet Container – 40’
GP

The standard type from 20’ container. The outside

dimensions are almost twice the size of 20’ GP
container. If 20’ cont is 1 TEU, then 40’ cont is
calculated as 2 TEU. This container is used for goods that require a lot of volumes but
are light in weight: textiles, furniture...

 High Cube 40 feet Container – 40’ HC Picture 8. General Purpose 40 feet Container

It has the same size as a regular 40’ container but has

a slightly higher height. This type is often used
because it can pack more goods and is more comfortable in packing.
Picture 9. High Cube 40 feet Container
 High Cube 45 feet Container – 45’ HC

Usually used to transport large goods. The number 45

written on the wall and door of the container is always
a identifying feature of this type of container.

Picture 10. High Cube 45 feet Container

Types of goods

 Refrigerated 20 feet Container – 20’ RF

It has the same appearance as 20’ GP container

but is equipped with an additional air conditioning
system to retain heat.

The identifiable characteristic of this container is

easy to find that they are all white to reduce the light
from the sun. It will help save more energy and
preserve the product for a longer time. Due to the

Picture 11. Refrigerated 20 feet Container

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addition of an air conditioning system, the internal volume of the container is also
limited.

This container is used to pack goods that require preservation temperatures such as
seafood, agricultural products, meats, etc...

Because electric energy must be used to start the refrigeration system continuously
during the whole voyage, in the process of importing and exporting the above goods,
the company must also pay attention to Dem/Det fees and electricity fees. Therefore,
this cost is often very high.

Other types

 Flat Rack Container (FR)

It used to transport oversized and

overloaded goods. The size is similar to a
regular 20’ container but without the walls
and roof above.

This container is mainly used to carry

oversized and bulky goods and goods that
cannot fit in a regular 20' container. The cost are also much higher than regular
Picture 12. Flat Rack Container
containers.

 Open Top Container (OT)

Design without a roof. Instead of a normal

container with a roof made of steel, this type
uses a tarpaulin to cover it.

OT conts are used to contain bulky

packages but are completely sized to fit the
container, not oversized like Flat Rack.

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 It is especially effective in cases where
goods require vertical packaging and Picture 13. Open Top Container (OT)

unloading using cranes... such as materials,

construction equipment, machinery, etc...

 Tank Container
Tank are designed to carry liquids. They
are usually constructed out of anti-corrosive
materials because of the chemicals they are
used to carry.

Tank may also be used to store dry goods like sugar, but they are most often used
exclusively for liquids.

Picture 14. Tank Container

III. CONCLUSION

Cat Lai Port has a scientific working system, bringing high productivity in the production
process. The port works with modern machinery operated by humans or automatic
equipment. Products from cranes, tractors, forklifts... are all imported from abroad to
ensure quality and safety when used. The working environment is flexible, professional,
complies with regulations, and has a logical arrangement of departments. The
warehouse area is clean, neat, airy, and goods are arranged neatly to facilitate
movement. The company tour guide is enthusiastic and gives detailed presentations
about the working areas in the port and clearly introduces the equipment and operating
procedures.

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 REFERENCES

SONGANHLOGS. (2019, January, 11). Container Size – 20 feet, 40′, 45′ High,
Refrigerated, Flat Rack, Open Top

https://songanhlogs.com/kich-thuoc-container-20-feet-40-45-cao-lanh-flat-rack-open-
top.html

Sai Gon New Port. (2023). General Information About Cat Lai Port

https://saigonnewport.com.vn/

VinaLogs - Container Transport. (2019). Container Handling Equipment in the Port

https://www.container-transportation.com/thiet-bi-xep-do-container.html

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