Categories of Container Inspections:
Generally, container inspections at depots are split into 2 main types:
On-hire survey
On-hire survey refers to the inspection of a container made at the time a container owner takes delivery of the container under a lease agreement. In other words, the container is being checked prior to collection for export. During on-hire surveys, depots: Check that the condition of the container meets the criteria specified in the lease agreement.
Create a detailed record of the container’s condition, with particular focus on any pre-existing damage or other defect. This is to guard against lessee being held liable for any damage which occurred before delivery of the container Classify the container as general-cargo, food-grade, or other standard specified by lessee For reefer containers, they will have to check the machinery and test the motors for bearing noise or leakage, to ensure the operational reliability of the container.
The 7-point container inspection checklist serves as a guideline for checking the condition of shipping containers: Undercarriage (outside), Doors (inside & outside), Left side, Right side, Front wall, Ceiling/Roof Floor (inside), typically, all 7 parts of the container needs to be checked during container inspection. If repair is required, the driver will then need to bring the container to the service area for repair. Otherwise, the container will be unloaded for storage.