Small engines and portable gensets are usually packed in wooden crates or on wooden skids with a strong cover. Larger gensets often ship on their own steel base frames, wrapped and lashed directly into the container.
Two things matter beyond the box itself: rust protection during a sea voyage, and the dangerous goods rules that can apply to engines with fuel or batteries.
Typical packing methods
- Small engines in nailed or bolted wooden crates, with the engine bolted to the base.
- Pumpsets and millsets on wooden skids, with the driven machine fixed to the same frame.
- Silent gensets on their base frame with the canopy closed, wrapped in plastic film.
- Open gensets wrapped in film or VCI cover, with the control panel separately protected.
- Spare parts and tools in a separate marked box tied to each engine or set.
Protecting against rust and damage
Sea air and condensation inside a container cause most of the rust buyers find on arrival. Bare machined surfaces, such as shaft ends and flywheel faces, need rust preventive and covers. Engines are often filled with preservation oil, and openings such as the exhaust and air intake are sealed. VCI film or bags help inside the crate, as covered in how VCI packing prevents rust.
All wooden packing for international shipment must meet ISPM-15, the standard for treated and stamped wood packaging. Lashing inside the container must stop the load sliding or tipping. See export packing and ISPM-15 for detail.
Fuel, oil and batteries
Engines and machinery with internal combustion engines can be dangerous goods for sea freight. Under the IMDG Code they may fall under UN 3530, unless conditions such as drained fuel tanks and protected batteries are met. Batteries may also have their own rules.
The rules are detailed and change with each IMDG amendment. The shipper is responsible for correct declaration. Confirm with your freight forwarder before packing, and tell the factory exactly how to prepare each set. A wrong declaration can mean a refused booking, a delay at the port or a penalty.
Markings and loading
- Large gensets should be loaded with the lifting points the builder designed, never by the canopy roof.
- Each crate should show the model, serial number, gross and net weight, and lifting points.
- Centre of gravity marks help on tall or uneven loads such as gensets.
- The packing list should list every crate, its dimensions and its contents.
- Photos of each set before closing the crate help in any later damage claim.
- Control panels and batteries should be checked for secure fixing, because vibration at sea loosens them.
Next step
We inspect packing, check preservation and supervise loading and lashing in the container. To set packing rules for your order, book a free sourcing review.