The Essentials of CBM and Container Utilization in Apparel Logistics

Calculating the cubic meter (CBM) for apparel shipment is a very important step in the shipping and logistics process. It helps in determining the volume of the cargo, which is crucial for space planning and cost estimation. Understanding how to calculate CBM can streamline the whole shipping process and ensure accurate freight charges. Here, today we gonna explore an easy method to calculate CBM for any apparel shipment also including the container sizes as well.

Container:

In apparel shipment, usually 3 types of containers are used. They are;

1. 20ft Container,
2. 40ft Container &
3. 40ft High Cube Container

Now beginning with,

• 20ft Container:

Dimension of a 20ft container:

Height, H: 2.38 Meter; Width, W: 2.35 Meter; Length, L: 5.87 Meter

Now, the amount of fresh air can be carried by a 20ft Container is;

= (H X W X L) = (2.38 X 2.35 X 5.87) = 33 CBM

But, the maximum load capacity is; 27 CBM

• 40ft Container:

Dimension of a 20ft container:

Height, H: 2.38 Meter; Width, W: 2.35 Meter; Length, L: 12 Meter

Now, the amount of fresh air can be carried by a 40ft Container is;

= (H X W X L) = (2.38 X 2.35 X 12) = 67 CBM

But, the maximum load capacity is; 58 CBM

• 40ft High Cube Container:

Dimension of a 20ft container:

Height, H: 2.65 Meter; Width, W: 2.35 Meter; Length, L: 12 Meter

Now, the amount of fresh air can be carried by a 40ft High Cube Container is;

= (H X W X L) = (2.65 X 2.35 X 12) = 76 CBM

But, the maximum load capacity is; 68 CBM

Real Life Demonstration:

Let's assume, a carton have length 58 cm, width 40 cm and height 40 cm. Now find out the CBM for 240 cartons & which container will be the best fit for the shipment ?

Solution: Given that,

Length, L: 59 cm

Width, W: 45 cm

Height, H: 42 cm

Formula we need to use: (L X W X H) / 1000000

Now, CBM for 1 carton will be: (59 X 45 X 42) / 1000000 = 0.11151 CBM

Now, for 240 cartons the CBM will be: (240 X 0.11151) = 26.76 CBM

For this, 26.76 CBM for 240 cartons, 20ft container will be the best suit for the shipment. As the 20ft container can carry up-to 27 CBM.

Extra:

LCL & FCL:

FCL: Full Container Load

LCL: Less than Container Load

In the above mathematical calculation, we can see that maximum space utilization ensured for the 20ft container by the total CBM of 240 cartons. As almost whole space of 20ft container is utilized, in this case we can say it FCL.

And, if the whole CBM of 240 cartons failed to fill up that full space of 20ft container then it is called LCL.