Charge IMPORT STORAGE in a container terminal based on UN/EDIFACT files

If you work in a container terminal and you are in charge for invoicing processes, that's a very handy flow chart about where to retrieve sensitive info to charge import storage.

Hope it can be useful to you!

SOLAS and COPRAR

One the funniest consequences of the SOLAS is that some customers started to report decimal values into segment MEA as MEA03:

EQD+CN+ABCD1234567+22G1:102:5++2+5'
RFF+BN:123456789'
LOC+11+ITGOA:139:6'
LOC+7+PFPPT:139:6'
MEA+AAE+VGM+KGM:20010.000'
SEL+002337'
SEL+057155'
FTX+AAA+++VIRGIN OLIVE OIL AND ITS FRACT'

Assuming that some hectograms may be relevant while stowing a container onto vessel, it's important to remember that, in all the MIG, MEA03 has the below characteristics:


The code n..18 means that this piece of data is a numerical data type with a a maximum length of 18 numbers and 0 number of decimals.

In a nutshell: reporting decimal numbers into MEA03, it should not be considered a good practice.

Edit - 28/11/2016
I have done some extra checks about this topic and it seems that decimal dots are allowed in case of data element with the following characteristics: n..18.

The below information comes from UNECE web page:

10.1 Decimal Mark

The ISO representation for decimal mark is the comma ( , ) but point on the line ( . ) is allowed. See ISO 31/0-1981. Both these characters are part of the Level A and B sets in

clause 5 and both alternatives are allowed. When the Service string advice, UNA, is used, its third character specifies the one character used in the interchange to represent decimal mark and thus overrides the above alternative use. The decimal mark shall not be counted as a character of the value when computing the maximum field length of a data element. However, allowance has to be made for the character in transmission and reception. When a decimal mark is transmitted, there shall be at least one digit before and after the decimal mark. For values represented by integers only, neither decimal mark nor decimal zeroes are used unless there is a need to indicate the degree of precision. 

Preferred  0,5 and 2 and 2,0

Allowed    0.5 and 2 and 2.0
Not allowed:  ,5 or .5 or 2, or 2.

10.2 Triad Separator
Triad separators shall not be used in interchange. 

Allowed: 2500000
Not allowed: 2,500,000 or 2.500.000 or 2 500 000

Gross weight in EDI transmissions

Recently an EDI customer reported me an issue related to the weights stated into BAPLIE / COARRI of my production environment. 

I was a little bit surprised in discover a coarse translation error in MEA segment concerning c502.6313 (ie. measurement dimension): I used the qualifier G (ie. weight of goods including packing but excluding the carrier's equipment) in order to report the weight of the goods plus carrier's equipment. 

Checking on the ITIGG guidelines I found out the new qualifier EGW which is used in order to declare the gross weight including carrier's equipment.

Here below how the change affected my EDI transmissions: 

 
Carrier's COPRAR Loading:

(...)

EQD+CN+ABCD1234567+45R1:102:5++2+5'
RFF+BN:ORDER-1' 

TMD+3' 

LOC+9+ITSAL:139:6+:BER:ZZZ:SALERNO CONTAINER TERMINAL'

LOC+11+CAMTR:139:6' 

LOC+7+CATOR:139:6' 

MEA+AAE+T+KGM:4550' 

MEA+AAE+G+KGM:22730' 

TMP+2+012:CEL' 

(...)

Terminal's COARRI Loading: 
(...) 
EQD+CN+ABCD1234567+45R1:102:5++2+5'
RFF+BN:ORDER-1'
TMD+3'
DTM+203:201201221233:203'
LOC+11+CAMTR:139:6'
LOC+7+CATOR::6'
LOC+147+340708::6'
MEA+AAE+T+KGM:4550'
MEA+AAE+EGW+KGM:27280'
TMP+2+12.0:CEL'
(...)

 
Terminal's BAPLIE departure: 
(...)
LOC+147+0340708::5' 
MEA+WT++KGM:27280'
TMP+2+012:CEL'
LOC+6+ITSAL'
LOC+12+CAMTR'
LOC+83+CATOR'
RFF+BM:1'
EQD+CN+ABCD 1234567+45R1+++5'
NAD+CA+XXX:172:20'
(...)

COPRAR, loading empty container(s) based on type

Here below you can find a sample of a COPRAR used to load 5 empty containers with the same characteristics (i.e. 20/DV/8'6). Note the usage of EQN segment (Nr. of units) in EQD segment group.

UNB+UNOA:2+SENDER-ID+RECEIVER-ID+090525:1601+1'
UNH+2+COPRAR:D:95B:UN:ITG12'
BGM+45+2+9'
FTX+OSI++L'
RFF+XXX:1'
TDT+20+00018N+1++GEK:172:87+++47AVS:103::SALERNO PRIDE'
RFF+VON:GKS01A'
LOC+9+ITSAL:139:6+SCT:TER:ZZZ'
DTM+132:200905271900:203'
DTM+133:200905281900:203'
NAD+CA+GEK:160:ZZZ'
EQD+CN++22G1:102:5++2+4'
RFF+BN:SAL/01'
EQN+5'
TMD+2'
LOC+11+CATOR:139:6'
MEA+AAE+G+KGM:2200'
FTX+ABS++67::184'
CNT+1:1'
UNT+19+2'
UNZ+1+1'

Replacing the previous COPRAR

Let's suppose that something in the previous COPRAR sample has to be amended (i.e. the reefer temperature set point). Here below the updated COPRAR:

UNB+UNOA:2+SENDER-ID+RECEIVER-ID+090525:1701+1'
UNH+3+COPRAR:D:95B:UN:ITG12'
BGM+45+3+5'
FTX+OSI++L'
RFF+ACW:2'
TDT+20+00018N+1++GEK:172:87+++47AVS:103::SALERNO PRIDE'
RFF+VON:GKS01A'
LOC+9+ITSAL:139:6+SCT:TER:ZZZ'
DTM+132:200905271900:203'
DTM+133:200905281900:203'
NAD+CA+GEK:160:ZZZ'
EQD+CN+GEKS1504090+22R1:102:5++2+5'
RFF+BN:SAL/01'
TMD+3'
LOC+11+CATOR:139:6'
LOC+7+CABUB:139:6'
MEA+AAE+G+KGM:22500'
TMP+2+010:CEL'
SEL+3667786+CA'
FTX+HAN++AB::184'
FTX+AAA+++MOZZARELLA'
EQA+RG+GEKS0001'
CNT+1:1'
UNT+23+3'
UNZ+1+1'

The following requirements are needed:

• 1225=5 (Replace previous message) on H.BGM;
• c506.1153=ACW on H.RFF;
• c506.1154 = Document message number of the previous message to replace (BGM 1004) on H.RFF.

COPRAR: adding a stowage instruction

Here below a Loading COPRAR with the instruction to stow the container away from boiler (i.e. EQD.FTX level with 4441='AB'):

UNB+UNOA:2+SENDER-ID+RECEIVER-ID+090525:1601+1'
UNH+2+COPRAR:D:95B:UN:ITG12'
BGM+45+2+9'
FTX+OSI++L'
RFF+XXX:1'
TDT+20+00018N+1++GEK:172:87+++47AVS:103::SALERNO PRIDE'
RFF+VON:GKS01A'
LOC+9+ITSAL:139:6+SCT:TER:ZZZ'
DTM+132:200905271900:203'
DTM+133:200905281900:203'
NAD+CA+GEK:160:ZZZ'
EQD+CN+GEKS1504090+22R1:102:5++2+5'
RFF+BN:SAL/01'
TMD+3'
LOC+11+CATOR:139:6'
LOC+7+CABUB:139:6'
MEA+AAE+G+KGM:22500'
TMP+2+015:CEL'
SEL+3667786+CA'
FTX+HAN++AB::184'
FTX+AAA+++MOZZARELLA'
EQA+RG+GEKS0001'
CNT+1:1'
UNT+23+2'
UNZ+1+1'

COPRAR, Load

Here below a sample concerning an operational reefer plus reefer generator to be loaded on vessel.

UNB+UNOA:2+SENDER-ID+RECEIVER-ID+090525:1601+1'
UNH+2+COPRAR:D:95B:UN:ITG12'
BGM+45+2+9'
FTX+OSI++L'
RFF+XXX:1'
TDT+20+00018N+1++GEK:172:87+++47AVS:103::SALERNO PRIDE'
RFF+VON:GKS01A'
LOC+9+ITSAL:139:6+SCT:TER:ZZZ'
DTM+132:200905271900:203'
DTM+133:200905281900:203'
NAD+CA+GEK:160:ZZZ'
EQD+CN+GEKS1504090+22R1:102:5++2+5'
RFF+BN:SAL/01'
TMD+3'
LOC+11+CATOR:139:6'
LOC+7+CABUB:139:6'
MEA+AAE+G+KGM:22500'
TMP+2+015:CEL'
SEL+3667786+CA'
FTX+AAA+++MOZZARELLA'
EQA+RG+GEKS0001'
CNT+1:1'
UNT+22+2'
UNZ+1+1'

COPRAR discharge with IMDG infos

Here below you can find a new COPRAR discharge sample where I have added infos about Dangerous Goods; you can note several new segments about:

• Container Operator's reference number to be used for DG reference number according to DG reference number in stowage instructions (EQD.RFF with c506.1153 = 'CV');
• Hazard Code infos (DGS segment);
• Dangerous Goods Technical Name (EQD.FTX with 4451 = 'AAD').

UNB+UNOA:2+SENDER-ID+RECEIVER-ID+090525:1601+1'
UNH+2+COPRAR:D:95B:UN:ITG12'
BGM+43+2+9'
FTX+OSI++D'
RFF+XXX:1'
TDT+20+00018N+1++GEK:172:87+++47AVS:103::SALERNO PRIDE'
RFF+VON:GKS01A'
LOC+11+ITSAL:139:6+SCT:TER:ZZZ'
DTM+132:200905271900:203'
DTM+133:200905281900:203'
NAD+CA+GEK:160:ZZZ'
EQD+CN+GEKS1504090+22G1:102:5++3+5'
RFF+AAY:00123456'
RFF+BN:SAL/01'
RFF+CV:XXX009/MCA'
TMD+3'
LOC+9+CAMTR:139:6'
LOC+7+ITSAL:139:6+SCT:TER:ZZZ'
MEA+AAE+G+KGM:22500'
SEL+3667786+CA'
FTX+AAA+++ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE'
FTX+AAD+++ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS, SUBSTANC:E, SOLID, N.O.S. (CARBOXIN 97%)'
DGS+IMD+9+3077++3+++++9'
CNT+1:1'
UNT+24+2'
UNZ+1+1'

COPRAR, discharge

Purpose of the message: discharge COPRAR is used to transmit an order to discharge container(s) from a seagoing vessel;
Parties involved: Shipping Line sends the message to the Terminal Operator which handles the vessel.

In addition to container(s) to be discharged, message can also transmit infos about:

• Container(s) to be shifted on board the vessel;
• Container(s) to be discharged and reloaded onto vessel.

Here below a sample based on ITIGG user manual vers. ITG12.

UNB+UNOA:2+SENDER-ID+RECEIVER-ID+090525:1601+1'

UNH+2+COPRAR:D:95B:UN:ITG12'

BGM+43+2+9'

FTX+OSI++D'

RFF+XXX:1'

TDT+20+00018N+1++GEK:172:87+++47AVS:103::SALERNO PRIDE'

RFF+VON:GKS01A'

LOC+11+ITSAL:139:6+SCT:TER:ZZZ'

DTM+132:200905271900:203'

DTM+133:200905281900:203'

NAD+CA+GEK:160:ZZZ'

EQD+CN+GEKS1504090+22G1:102:5++3+5'

RFF+AAY:00123456'

RFF+BN:SAL/01'

TMD+3'

LOC+9+CAMTR:139:6'

LOC+7+ITSAL:139:6+SCT:TER:ZZZ'

MEA+AAE+G+KGM:22500'

SEL+3667786+CA'

FTX+AAA+++TOMATOES'

CNT+1:1'

UNT+21+2'

UNZ+1+1'