Study of loading of a universal container during sea transport

Keywords: container, container strength, container equilibrium stability, rail-ferry transportation, combined transportation

Abstract

Intermodal and combined container transportation is an inseparable part of a sustainable transportation system. Railway transport, in combination with railway ferry services, plays a crucial role within this system. The research presented in this contribution highlights the features of studies on the loading of a universal container when transported by a railway ferry. This research consisted of two stages: a study of the strength of a universal container when transported by a railway ferry, and a study of the container’s stability relative to the frame of a flat wagon. The calculation of the container’s strength was carried out using the finite element method, which is implemented in SolidWorks Simulation. It was established that the stresses in the container structure in the case of its placement on the track farthest from the bulwark exceed the permissible ones by 23%. When the container is placed on the track second from the bulwark, as well as on the middle track, the stresses are within the permissible limits. Studies of the stability against overturning of the container relative to the flat wagon frame showed that in the case of its placement on the track farthest from the bulwark, the container does not maintain equilibrium stability. Therefore, it is recommended to place flat wagons with containers on the track second from the bulwark or the middle tracks. The results of the research will contribute to the creation of recommendations for the safe transportation of containers in combined transport trains by sea, as well as the sustainable development of international freight transportation.

References

Antala, D. K., Satasiya, R. M., Chauhan, P. M. (2021). Design, development and performance evaluation of transportation container for sapota fruit. Journal of Food Sciences and Technology. 58(10), 4024–4033. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04865-w

Berki, Z., Bede, Á. (2025). Rail Freight Route Choice and Costing Model for Transport Modelling. In: Zöldy, M. (ed.): Proceedings of the 3rd Cognitive Mobility Conference. COGMOB 2024. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems. 1258. Springer, Cham. 230–237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-81799-1_21

Čižiūnienė, K., Matijošius, J., Sokolovskij, E., Balevičiūte. J. (2024). Assessment of implementing green logistics principles in railway transport: The case of Lithuania. Sustainability. 16(7), 2716. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072716

Containex (2013). Technical specifications for steel dry cargo container. Specification NO. CTX 20 DVDR – Domestic Spec. HH. 27 pages. URL: https://www.containi.de/pdf/Technische-Beschreibung-Seecontainer.pdf

European Pravda (2025). – Європейська правда (2025). Рік транзитної війни. Що зробила та що мусить зробити Україна [The year of the transit war. What Ukraine has done and what it must do]. URL: https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/experts/2017/01/11/7059942/ (Downloaded 28 August 2025 10:15)

Ézsiás, L., Kozma, K., Tompa, R., Fischer, S. (2024a). Crushed stone supply challenges for infrastructure development in Hungary. Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu, 2024(6), 28–37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33271/nvngu/2024-6/028

Ézsiás, L., Tompa, R., Fischer, S. (2024b). Investigation of the possible correlations between specific characteristics of crushed stone aggregates. Spectrum of Mechanical Engineering and Operational Research. 1(1), 10-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31181/smeor1120242

Fischer, S. (2025). Investigation of the settlement behavior of ballasted railway tracks due to dynamic loading. Spectrum of Mechanical Engineering and Operational Research. 2(1), 24–46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31181/smeor21202528.

Fischer, S., Harangozó, D., Németh, D., Kocsis, B., Sysyn, M., Kurhan, D., Brautigam, A. (2024). Investigation of heat-affected zones of thermite rail welding. Facta Universitatis, Series: Mechanical Engineering. 22(4), 689–710. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22190/FUME221217008F

Fomin, O., Lovska, A., Píštěk, V., Kučera, P. (2019). Dynamic load computational modelling of containers placed on a flat wagon at railroad ferry transportation. Vibroengineering Procedia. 29, 118–123. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21595/vp.2019.21132

Jóvér, V., Kocsis Szürke, S., Hermán, B., Böröcz, P., Kuczmann, M., Fischer, S. (2025). Vehicle dynamics measurements with a unique measuring system for trams. In: Zöldy, M. (ed.) Proceedings of the 3rd Cognitive Mobility Conference. COGMOB 2024. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems. 1258. Springer, Cham. 24–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-81799-1_3

Liguori, A., Formato, A., Pellegrino, A., Villecco, F. (2021). Study of tank containers for foodstuffs. Machines. 9(2), 44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/machines9020044

Lisowski, E., Czyżycki, W. (2011). Transport and storage of LNG in container tanks. Journal of KONES Powertrain and Transport. 18(3), 193–201. URL: https://bibliotekanauki.pl/articles/245524

Lovska, A. (2013) –Ловська, (2013). Теоретичне оцінювання міцності та стійкості універсальних контейнерів за умови розміщення на вагонах-платформах при їх перевезенні на залізничних поромах [Theoretical estimation of versatile container strength under the condition of their allocation on flat cars while transporting them on railway ferries]. Збірник наукових праць [Bulletin of Scientific Works]. 139, 197–204. URL: https://share.google/BV02TdOUFpDKBsFqz

Lovska, A., Fomin, O., Píštěk, V., Kučera, P. (2020). Dynamic load and strength determination of carrying structure of wagons transported by ferries. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 8(11), 902. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8110902

Lovska, A., Gerlici, J., Dižo, J., & Rukavishnykov, P. (2024). Investigation of container strength when fixed in an open wagon equipped with pneumatic bags. Acta Technica Jaurinensis, 17(4), 177–182. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14513/actatechjaur.00753

Lovska, A., Gerlici, J., Dizo, J., Ishchuk, V. (2024). The strength of rail vehicles transported by a ferry considering the influence of sea waves on its hull. Sensors. 24(1), 183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s24010183

Makeev, V. (2025). – Макеєв, В. (2025). Шовковий шлях стане на 30% дешевше [The Silk Road will become 30% cheaper]. NV – The New Voice of Ukraine. URL: https://biz.nv.ua/ukr/economics/shovkovij-shljah-stane-na-30-deshevshe-125652.html (Downloaded 28 August 2025 11:25)

Miamlyn, S. V., Kebal, Yu. V., Kondratiuk, S. M. (2012). –Мямлин, С. В., Кебал, Ю. В., Кондратюк, С. М. (2012). Перспективные конструкции контейнеров-цистерн для перевозки светлых нефтепродуктов, аммиака и углеводородных газов [Prospective designs of tank containers for transportation of light petroleum products, ammonia and hydrocarbon gases]. Залізничний транспорт України [Railway Transport of Ukraine]. 2, 44–46.

NVC Wagons (2025) – НВЦ «ВАГОНЫ» (2025). От идеи до внедрения [From idea to implementation]. URL: nvc-vagon.ru (Downloaded 20 August 2025 09:15)

Oterkus, S., Wang, B., Oterkus, E., Kasimu Galadima, Y., Cocard, M., Mokas, S., Buckley, J., McCullough, C., Boruah, D., Gilchrist, B. (2022). Structural integrity analysis of containers lost at sea using finite element method. Sustainable Marine Structures. 4(2), 11–17. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.36956/sms.v4i2.505

Russo, F., Comi, A., Chilà, G. (2024). Dynamic approach to update utility and choice by emerging technologies to reduce risk in urban road transportation systems. Future Transportation. 4(3), 1078–1099. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp4030052

Shan, J., & Schönberger, J. (2025). Planning container flows through the Eurasian rail network: Managing ad-hoc demand under limited capacity. Omega, 103395. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2025.103395

Soloviova, L., Strelko, O., Isaienko, S., Soloviova, O., Berdnychenko, Yu. (2020). Container transport system as a means of saving resources. IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 459, 052070. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/459/5/052070

Wang, Z., Qian, C., Wu, Z. (2023). Stress analysis and structural improvement of LNG tank container frames under impact from railway transport vehicles. Applied Sciences. 13(24), 13335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app132413335

Yildiz, T. (2019). Design and analysis of a lightweight composite shipping container made of carbon fiber laminates. logistics. 3(3), 18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics3030018

Zalacko, R., Zöldy, M., Simongáti, G. (2020). Comparative study of two simple marine engine BSFC estimation methods. Brodogradnja. 71(3), 13–25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21278/BROD71302

Published
2025-09-28
How to Cite
LovskaA., DizoJ., & BlatnickýM. (2025). Study of loading of a universal container during sea transport. Cognitive Sustainability, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.55343/CogSust.20527
Section
Research articles