A container can arrive on time and still leave a warehouse unprepared.
At Sipena Logistics, I have learned that organising the crew is only part of the job. Before anyone starts unloading, we need to understand what is arriving, how the site works and what equipment will be available. A few clear answers beforehand make it easier to send the right team and plan the work with the warehouse.
These are the questions I ask before a container arrives.
1. What is inside the container?
I start with the container size, the type of goods and how they have been packed. A container of uniform cartons is a different job from one with mixed stock, heavy items or goods that need special handling.
I also ask how the warehouse wants the stock received. Does it need to be sorted by product, counted, labelled or placed onto pallets? The answer affects how the job should be organised once the doors open.
2. Is the unloading area ready?
The crew needs a clear place to work and somewhere for the goods to go. Before the booking, I want to understand where the container will be positioned, what access is available and whether there is enough space to move and stage the stock.
I also confirm the site address, arrival time and the person our team should meet. Small gaps in that information can hold up a crew that is otherwise ready to start.
3. What equipment is available?
A forklift, suitable attachments, pallet jacks and pallets should never be assumed. I ask what the site has available and what the job may require so that the warehouse and the crew can plan accordingly.
Equipment is only one part of the picture. The site also needs to consider how forklifts, workers and other people will move through the unloading area. WorkSafe Victoria’s guidance on forklift hazards and risk controls is a useful reference for those discussions.
4. What is the plan if the load is different from what we expected?
The information provided before arrival may not tell the whole story. If the load has shifted, the cargo is different from the booking or the available equipment is unsuitable, the team needs to pause and reassess the job with the site.
That conversation is easier when everyone knows who has authority to make decisions on the day. I ask for an on-site contact before the booking, not after a problem appears.
The question behind the checklist
For me, preparation comes down to one question: do we know enough to send the right crew into a site that is ready for this particular container?
When the answer is unclear, I would rather ask one more question before arrival. It helps the client, the warehouse and our team begin with the same understanding of the work.