General
Dunnage
Material placed around cargo to secure it, absorb shock, and prevent movement or moisture damage during transport.
In depth
Dunnage is the airbags, timber bracing, blocking, matting, and desiccants that stop cargo shifting inside a container or hold. Its importance is easy to underestimate: a container that is only partly full and inadequately braced allows the load to move in a seaway, which is a leading cause of transit damage and, in the worst cases, of container and vehicle instability. Insurers frequently decline claims where the cause was inadequate securing, treating it as insufficient packing rather than an insured peril. Timber dunnage must meet ISPM 15 treatment requirements in many markets.
Key points
- Bracing, airbags, matting, and desiccants that secure cargo in transit
- Inadequate securing is a leading cause of transit damage
- Insurers may decline claims caused by insufficient packing
- Timber dunnage must be ISPM 15 treated for many destinations