Container Rescue™

Problem with a shipping container? Need immediate transloading service? Rawlins Rigging offers a comprehensive and efficient container rescue service, removing all cargo from the damaged container and relocating it to a new one, thus keeping your shipment moving
on time, every time.

Request Container Rescue™

Expert Container Rescue™ Service at the Port of Savannah

In the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of a major container port, efficiency is paramount. The Port of Savannah operates like a finely tuned assembly line, processing thousands of import and export containers daily via truck, rail, and vessel. However, unforeseen issues such as structural container damage or shifted internal cargo can bring this process to an abrupt halt for individual units. When a container cannot be safely handled through standard port procedures, it risks significant delays and substantial costs. We can help.

The Challenge: Disruptions in the Port Assembly Line

Modern ports are marvels of logistics, designed for the rapid movement of standardized containers. Export containers arrive, are stacked by massive gantry cranes, and wait to be loaded onto their designated vessel. Import containers follow the reverse path – unloaded, moved to stacks, and await pickup by truck or transfer to rail. This system relies on uniformity and structural integrity.

When a container deviates from the norm – perhaps due to damage sustained during transit or because the cargo inside has shifted, compromising stability – it cannot proceed through this automated, high-volume system. Ports typically lack the specialized infrastructure and personnel to address these non-standard situations directly. The problematic container is segregated, the owning steamship line is notified, and the cargo remains immobile at a high cost.

The Solution: The Rawlins Rigging Shipping Container Rescue™ Service

This is precisely where our specialized Container Rescue™ service intervenes. Operating directly on-terminal at the Port of Savannah, GA, we provide a critical solution to resolve these challenging situations swiftly and safely. We understand that every container and its cargo operate on a strict timeline. Delays of even a few days can trigger significant fines, penalties, and disruptions to supply chains, often far exceeding the value of the cargo itself. Our service is designed to mitigate these risks and restore momentum to your shipment.

Our Easy Five-Step Process to Rapid Response and Resolution

Notification & Quotation: When a container is flagged with an issue (e.g., structural damage, shifted load), the responsible party – typically the Steamship Line for container damage or the cargo owner for load shifts – contacts Rawlins Rigging. We provide a detailed quote for our transloading service promptly.
Immediate Survey Service: Our team works closely with the Port staff to coordinate prompt cargo surveys when required. Survey results are always sent to stakeholders on the same day to facilitate prompt correction of the issue.
Coordination & Setup: Upon quote acceptance, we liaise directly with Port authorities to designate a safe working area on the terminal. We arrange for both the compromised container and a suitable empty replacement container to be positioned in this area.
On-Site Transloading: Our experienced crew and specialized equipment are dispatched to the designated port location. We meticulously and safely transfer the cargo from the original container to the new, sound container.
Completion & Communication: Once the transload is complete and the new container is secured with a new seal, we immediately notify all relevant parties (Steamship Line, cargo owner, port authorities) of the new container and seal numbers.

The Result: Cargo Back in Motion

Our streamlined process and on-site presence at the terminal enable us to achieve exceptional efficiency. In most cases, we can complete the entire transloading operation and have the cargo ready to re-enter the port's handling system within 24 hours of receiving the service request.

By bridging the gap between standard port operations and the need for specialized handling of problem containers, the Rawlins Rigging Container Rescue™ service ensures that structural damage or shifted loads don't result in prolonged delays and excessive costs. We provide the essential expertise, equipment, and rapid response needed to keep your cargo moving efficiently through the Port of Savannah.

When a shipping container has structural damage or a shifted load that prevents it from being processed through standard port procedures, it is segregated by the port and the steamship line is notified. These containers create a problem for all parties involved: the port, the steamship line, and the cargo owner. The Rawlins Rigging Container Rescue™ Service solves this problem by reacting immediately to assess the container damage, transload the cargo, clean up the area, and get the shipment back on track, sometimes as soon as 24 hours.
Our customers are either the steamship lines that own the containers or the cargo owners themselves, depending on the specific issue. For issues arising from structural damage to the container, the Steamship line is our client. For shifted loads, the responsibility falls on the cargo owner. We can help either party get back on track.
We offer our Container Rescue service on the terminal at the Port of Savannah, GA. We have plans to expand the service to other ports in the USA in 2025-26
A container port operates as a high-volume assembly line. Export containers arrive by truck or rail, are stacked by rubber tire gantry (RTG) cranes, and then loaded onto vessels using ship-to-shore cranes. Import containers follow the reverse process: unloaded by ship-to-shore cranes, transferred to trailers, and moved to stacks awaiting truck pickup or onward rail transport. Containers with issues that prevent safe processing are set aside, as ports typically lack the necessary infrastructure to handle such exceptions.
Fast. All containers and cargo are on a running clock. The cargo is expected to arrive at its destination within a specified timeframe, and any delays can be costly for all parties involved in the cargo. If a loaded container sits for even an extra day or two, the shipper can incur fines and penalties that far exceed the value of the cargo. Keeping cargo moving on time is a critical service.