Offshore & Onshore Container Integrity Inspection

Cargo Carrying Units, also known as CCUs, are transport units used to carry equipment, materials, tools, spare parts, chemicals, waste or project cargo between onshore bases, vessels, offshore installations and industrial sites.

CCUs may include:

• Offshore cargo baskets.
• Offshore containers.
• Tool containers.
• Mini containers.
• Half-height containers.
• Mud skips.
• Waste skips.
• Bottle racks.
• Gas cylinder racks.
• Tank containers.
• Cargo transport frames.
• Offshore service containers.
• Refrigerated offshore containers.
• Open-top containers.
• Cargo boxes.
• Workshop containers.
• Chemical transport units.
• Special transport frames.
• Portable offshore units, where applicable.

Offshore CCUs are normally designed for repeated handling in harsh marine environments, including lifting to and from offshore installations and supply vessels. ISO 10855-3 specifies requirements for periodic inspection, examination and testing of offshore freight and service containers with maximum gross mass not exceeding 25,000 kg and their associated lifting sets.

1. Structural Frame Inspection

The structural frame is the main load-bearing component of the container or CCU. Any damage to the frame can compromise lifting, stacking or transport safety.

Inspection includes:

• Main frame members.
• Corner posts.
• Top rails and bottom rails.
• Cross members.
• Fork pockets.
• Base frame.
• Roof structure.
• Side structure.
• End frames.
• Structural welds.
• Impact damage.
• Deformation or twisting.
• Corrosion and section loss.
• Cracks and fatigue indications.

Client value: verifies whether the unit can safely withstand handling, transport and lifting loads.

2. Pad Eyes, Lifting Points and Lifting Set Inspection

For offshore CCUs, the lifting arrangement is one of the most critical parts of the inspection. Lifting points and lifting sets must be in good condition, correctly rated and properly certified.

Inspection includes:

• Pad eyes.
• Lifting lugs.
• Shackles.
• Master links.
• Wire rope slings.
• Chain slings.
• Sling identification tags.
• Sling angle suitability.
• Wear and deformation.
• Corrosion.
• Cracks around pad eyes.
• Weld condition.
• Compatibility of lifting set with the CCU.
• Certificate validity and traceability.

Key message: a CCU is only as safe as its lifting points and lifting set.

3. Floor and Internal Condition Inspection

The floor must be capable of supporting the intended cargo safely. Damaged floors can lead to cargo shifting, collapse, water ingress or unsafe loading.

Inspection includes:

• Floor plates or timber floor.
• Floor corrosion.
• Floor deformation.
• Holes, cracks or soft areas.
• Internal cargo securing points.
• Drainage condition.
• Internal cleanliness.
• Sharp edges.
• Cargo contamination risk.
• Evidence of overload.
• Internal structural supports.

For units carrying hazardous materials, chemicals or waste, the internal condition must be carefully assessed to reduce contamination, leakage or compatibility risks.

4. Doors, Hinges, Locks and Seals

Doors and locking systems are essential for cargo containment and transport security. Damaged doors may open during transport or allow water ingress.

Inspection includes:

• Door alignment.
• Door hinges.
• Locking bars.
• Locking cams.
• Handles.
• Gaskets and seals.
• Door frame condition.
• Corrosion.
• Damage or distortion.
• Ease of opening and closing.
• Security locking points.
• Water tightness indicators.

Client value: helps prevent cargo loss, water damage, unsafe manual handling and transport delays.

5. Corrosion and Coating Inspection

Containers and CCUs are exposed to aggressive environments, especially in offshore, marine, coastal, mining and industrial areas. Corrosion can reduce structural strength and shorten service life.

Inspection includes:

• General corrosion.
• Pitting corrosion.
• Corrosion around welds.
• Corrosion in floor and base structure.
• Corrosion on pad eyes and lifting lugs.
• Coating breakdown.
• Rust staining.
• Marine environment damage.
• Areas requiring repair, blasting or repainting.

For offshore units, corrosion assessment is especially important because repeated sea exposure and deck handling can accelerate deterioration.

6. Weld Inspection and NDT Support

Welded areas are critical because cracks or poor weld quality can affect structural capacity. Where required, TechInspecta can support visual weld inspection and non-destructive testing.

Inspection may include:

• Visual weld inspection.
• Crack detection.
• Magnetic Particle Testing.
• Dye Penetrant Testing.
• Ultrasonic Testing.
• Thickness measurement.
• Weld repair verification.
• NDT after repair or modification.

NDT may be required after impact damage, structural repair, pad eye repair, suspected cracking or periodic inspection requirements.

7. Markings, Data Plates and Identification Verification

Correct identification and marking are essential for traceability and safe use.

Inspection includes verification of:

• Container identification number.
• Owner markings.
• Tare weight.
• Maximum gross mass.
• Payload.
• Date of manufacture.
• Inspection date.
• Next inspection due date.
• Certification plate.
• Offshore certification plate, where applicable.
• CSC plate, where applicable.
• Lifting set identification.
• Colour coding or inspection status.

The Convention for Safe Containers sets procedures for containers used in international transport to be safety-approved by an Administration or authorized organization, after which a Safety Approval Plate containing relevant technical data is affixed to the approved container.

8. Documentation and Certification Review

Physical inspection must be supported by valid documentation. TechInspecta can verify whether container records, lifting certificates and inspection documents match the actual equipment.

Documentation review may include:

• Container certificate.
• Offshore container certificate.
• Lifting set certificate.
• CSC documentation, where applicable.
• Previous inspection reports.
• Repair records.
• NDT reports.
• Load test records.
• Manufacturer data book.
• Equipment register.
• Serial number traceability.
• Test certificates.
• Modification records.
• Inspection due date records.

Client value: improves compliance, prevents rejected units and supports audit readiness.

9. Damage Assessment and Repair Verification

Containers and CCUs may be damaged during transport, lifting, stacking, loading, unloading or offshore handling. TechInspecta can assess damage and verify repairs before the unit returns to service.

Assessment may include:

• Impact damage.
• Bent structural members.
• Cracked welds.
• Damaged pad eyes.
• Damaged fork pockets.
• Door damage.
• Floor damage.
• Corrosion-related section loss.
• Distorted frame.
• Missing or damaged plates.
• Damaged lifting sets.
• Post-repair inspection.
• Post-repair NDT.
• Repair documentation verification.

ISO 10855-3 includes inspection requirements following damage and repair of offshore containers.

10. Cargo Securing and CTU Condition Awareness

Where applicable, TechInspecta can support cargo transport unit condition checks and cargo securing awareness. This is especially relevant for containers used in logistics, ports, marine transport and industrial supply chains.

The IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code applies throughout the intermodal transport chain and provides guidance for loading and securing cargo in containers and other transport units, including training and dangerous goods considerations.

Inspection and awareness may include:

• Internal securing points.
• Lashing points.
• Cargo restraint condition.
• Load distribution.
• Condition before packing.
• Door security.
• Damage affecting cargo integrity.
• Suitability of container for cargo type.
• Dangerous goods awareness, where applicable.