Logistical unit
August 21, 2008
Up-to-date logistics follows the principles of unification and standardization in “unit-load-concept” or “unitization”. The point is that different goods are formed in standardized and unified transport units, which enable economical and safe transport, reloading, warehousing and other logistical operations. Basic idea is that whole goods flow from producer to the customer is executed in unified content and form. In this way we can simplify physical operations, measuring, counting, weighing, controlling and other operations.
That concept also leads to the standardization of transport holders, vehicles, reloading mechanization, warehouses, etc…
International trade had always aspired for some solutions until ISO (International Organization for Standardization) was established in the 1950’s. Vital role in global business represent ISO standards, which are leading global standards for palettes, containers, transport vehicles and all elements of logistical process.
The concept of logistical unit is represented in the scheme below:
Logistical unit fulfils following demands:
- Unitization of goods in bigger units,
- Standardization of units regarding form and dimensions,
- Mechanization of logistical process,
- Safety of goods and easy manipulation,
- Enables uninterrupted logistical chain from supplier to demander.
Various business partners manage with logistical units on the whole supply chain, that’s why all the manipulation points must follow “unit-load-concept” standards to provide efficient service.
The biggest logistical unit is container, which is standardized for multimodal transport operations:
20 feet container is basic measure for ship capacity. One TEU (Twenty Equivalent Unit) fits the volume of one standardized 20 feet container.
