Improper packing of cargo transport units (CTUs) is a leading cause of damage, delay, and loss across global supply chains.
The CTU Code Quick Guide, developed by the Cargo Integrity Group, offers essential guidance for safe and compliant packing practices. Aligned with the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice, the guide outlines key responsibilities for all stakeholders—from planning to delivery—emphasising CTU condition checks, handling of dangerous goods, and securing techniques.
For transport and logistics operators, understanding and applying these principles is vital to reducing risk, improving safety, and maintaining operational integrity throughout multimodal transport.
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If you would like more information on any of these topics, submit an enquiry to our Loss Prevention team.
Latest resources
CTU Code
The CTU Code Quick Guide, published by the Cargo Integrity Group, serves as an essential resource for safely packing cargo transport units (CTUs) across global supply chains. This comprehensive guide addresses critical safety protocols that prevent billions in annual losses from improper packing practices whilst ensuring compliance with the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice.
Cargo Integrity Group
What is cargo integrity and what does it include?
Cargo integrity is the adoption of best practice in all aspects of cargo care, through the intermodal supply chain.
- Selection of suitable unit for intended commodity and journey;
- Ensuring that the unit positioned for packing is sound and free from previous cargo residues;
- Prevention of contamination by plants, plant products, insects or other animals;
- Proper packing of cargo within a unit, including load distribution, and effective blocking, bracing and securing;
- Correct classification, packaging, marking/placarding, documentation and declaration of packed goods, particularly those that are regulated (dangerous, waste etc.);
- Complete and transparent transmittal of all data regarding contents (including compliant verified gross mass), enabling appropriate safe handling through the intermodal supply chain; and
- Effective methods of stowing and securing of units for transport in land, sea or air modes.
Why is cargo integrity important?
- Protection of the condition and value of cargo;
- Well-being of people handling the goods at warehouses and throughout the entire anticipated intermodal journey;
- Prevention of unevenly loaded units or insecure cargo causing incidents, particularly during road or rail transport;
- Reduction of the number of injuries caused when unpacking;
- Prevention of undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods causing fires, at warehouse facilities, at ports and terminals, and at sea.
Who needs to be aware of cargo integrity?
There are many direct stakeholders in the intermodal supply chain, including:
- Operators of cargo transport units (CTUs);
- Shippers, Packers, Consignors;
- Freight forwarders and logistics operators;
- Carriers (by road, rail, inland waterway and sea); and
- Anyone else involved in the movement of CTUs.
- There are also numerous indirect stakeholders who influence the practices adopted in intermodal transport, such as international traders, fiscal authorities, enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and insurers.
Anyone concerned about the movement of goods internationally needs to be aware of the potential safety, security and environmental impacts involved and should be interested in the overarching aims of TT Club’s Cargo Integrity campaign.
What is the CTU code in cargo integrity?
The 2014 Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) applies to packing and transport operations throughout the entire surface intermodal chain. It provides guidance not only to those responsible for packing and securing cargo, but also to those who receive and unpack such units.
It was jointly developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
The non-mandatory global Code of Practice also addresses issues such as training and the packing of dangerous goods. The CTU Code is intended to assist the industry, employers’ and workers’ organisations as well as Governments in ensuring the safe packing of cargo in CTU of all kinds.
How do I follow best practice?
We believe there are two fundamental steps inherent in achieving compliance and assurance throughout the supply chain:
- Ensure that you understand what role(s) you have and related obligations, and that your own employees are competent to carry out all tasks in a way that does not compromise safety, security or the environment;
- Seek assurance from all your customers, contractors and suppliers that they also understand their obligations and are committed to good practice.
Where can I find out more about cargo integrity?
Cargo integrity documentation
- 2014 CTU Code (MSC.1/Circ.1497)
- Informative material related to the CTU Code (MSC.1/Circ.1498)
- IMO Due diligence checklist (MSC.1/Circ.1531)
- IMO CTU Code website
- UNECE CTU Code webpage
Dangerous goods documentation
- International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
- UN Orange Book (UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations)
- Hazcheck Restrictions Portal
- Cargo Information Notification System (CINS) website
Training resources
The role of CTUpack e-learning from Exis Technologies is to support the training of consolidators and packers, and promote good practice in compliance with the CTU Code. Beginning with a foundation course, CTUpack will develop to address special cargoes and training for all aspects of CTU packing. The course is sponsored by the TT Club.
CTUpack e-learning™ can be purchased directly from CTUpack E-Learning - Exis Technologies. There are discounts for courses purchased in quantity.
Group partners
Latest publications
MARIN Top Tier
The TopTier joint industry partnership (JIP) is a project focused on the loss of containers at sea. The size of deep sea container ships has increased significantly over the past years. The loss of containers and their impact on the maritime and coastal environments has raised public and political concerns on the safety and environmental impact of modern container ships.
TT Club's claim analysis has shown that as much as two thirds of cargo damage claims can be attributed to poor and improper packing.
Animations
Packing parameters animations
The container packing game
Some say that “any fool can stuff a container” but at TT Club, we understand the complexities and importance of correctly packed cargo. TT Club developed the Container Packing Game as a simplified but fun way to highlight some key packing skills. The game consists of blocks of various shapes and sizes, which need to be packed correctly into a scale model container. The blocks display their nominal mass and a number of other symbols that are commonly used in the industry to denote specific risks.
By attending to the symbols etched onto the blocks, looking out for fragile or dangerous goods, it is possible to ensure that your container has optimal load distribution and is safe. In this simplified game schema, if packed correctly, your container would be likely to proceed through the supply chain without incident.
While it may be entertaining to pack against a stopwatch, we’d urge you to remember that accuracy is more valuable than speed! If you’d like to try your hand at achieving packing perfection, please contact us using the button below.
Container weighing
On July 1 2016, container weighing became a global requirement.
TT Club has been closely involved in the industry debate concerning the correct declaration of the weight of packed containers. It is a matter that has contributed to a number of incidents on land and on board ships, albeit that it is fully recognised that weight discrepancies alone rarely are causative. It is an issue that is closely related to packing of CTUs, where TT Club's analysis of claims has shown that as much as 2/3 of cargo damage claims can be attributed to poor and improper packing.
The issue of weight discrepancies was highlighted in the UK MAIB report into the grounding of 'MSC Napoli', where it was described as one that is able to 'erode or eliminate the safety margins in place'. The theme was taken up in the MARIN 'Lashing@Sea' report that was presented to the relevant IMO safety committee in 2010, leading to a work item to identify ways to prevent losses of container at sea.
Find the latest resources on container weighing below.
