Nautical Term: DUNNAGE
Definition of DUNNAGE
Dunnage refers to the materials of various types, most commonly timber or matting, placed among the cargo for several reasons. Firstly, these materials provide separation between individual items of cargo, thus protecting them from damage during transport. Secondly, dunnage materials allow for adequate ventilation of the cargo, which is essential to maintain the quality and freshness of certain perishable cargoes. Lastly, in the case of certain cargoes such as heavy machinery, dunnage materials may be used to create additional space in which the forks of a lift truck may be inserted.
For example, let’s consider a cargo ship transporting fresh produce, including bananas, from South America to Europe. To ensure that the bananas remain fresh during the voyage, the ship’s crew carefully arranges the bananas in the cargo hold, using dunnage materials such as banana leaves, sawdust, or straw to provide separation between individual bunches of bananas and to maintain adequate ventilation of the cargo. By using dunnage materials in this way, the ship’s crew can help ensure that the bananas arrive at their destination in Europe in the best possible condition, ready to be sold and consumed
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