Cargo Density Optimization

Containers include over-the-road containers, ocean containers, air containers, etc. The utilizationthe ratio of the consumption of a resource to the capacity of the resource of a container must incorporate the weight and cube utilization since container capacity is restricted in both dimensions. Container utilization (CU) is computed as:

¨ CU = Max {Cube Utilization, Weight Utilization}

¨ Cube Utilization = Occupied Cube/(Length x Width x Height)

¨ Weight Utilization = Load Weight/Container Weight Capacity

For a load weighing 35,000 pounds and occupying 2,720 cubic feet in a container with a weight capacity of 44,000 pounds and length, width, and height of 40', 8.5’, and 9’; the container utilization is...

¨ Cube Utilization = 2,720 ft3 / (40’ x 8.5’ x 9’) = 2,720 ft3/ 3,060 ft3 = 89%

¨ Weight Utilization = 35,000 lbs. / 44,000 lbs. = 79.5%

¨ Container Utilization = Max {89%, 79.5%} = 89%

To maximize the cube and weight utilization of the container simultaneously, to cube and weight out at the same time, choose cargo with density equal to the ratio of the weight capacity to the cube capacity.