Container Logistics Planning Tools
Mixed Cargo Container Planner
Plan how multiple types of rectangular cargo may fit inside common shipping containers and inspect the simulated arrangement through an interactive 3D container view.
Add cartons, crates, pallets, boxed drums, IBCs and other rectangular packages with different dimensions, weights and quantities. Estimate package allocation, occupied volume, floor coverage, payload utilisation, door compatibility and approximate cargo weight distribution.
Plan Multiple Cargo Types in One Container
The Mixed Cargo Container Planner is a free browser-based tool for estimating how several types of rectangular cargo may be arranged within the same shipping container. It may be used for preliminary planning involving cartons, crates, pallets, boxed drums, intermediate bulk containers and other regularly shaped packages.
Unlike a basic container calculator that considers only one package size, this planner accepts multiple cargo types with different dimensions, individual weights, quantities and loading priorities. It then evaluates a series of stable-stack arrangements and presents the best simulated result found under the selected planning preferences.
The result includes loaded and unplaced quantities, volume utilisation, floor coverage, payload utilisation, door-opening checks, approximate centre of gravity and estimated front-to-rear and left-to-right weight distribution.
Multiple Cargo Types
Enter different package dimensions, weights, quantities, priorities and permitted orientations.
Container Constraints
Check internal dimensions, door opening and stated maximum payload before loading.
Interactive 3D View
Rotate, zoom and inspect the simulated arrangement from front, side, top and 3D views.
Balance Estimate
Review approximate longitudinal and lateral cargo weight distribution and centre of gravity.
Use the Mixed Cargo Container Planner
Enter the container and cargo information below. The initial figures are examples and may be changed before calculating the loading plan.
Mixed Cargo Container Planner
Container dimensions
Cargo types
Add cartons, crates, pallets, boxed drums, IBCs or other rectangular packages.
Planning preferences
Your mixed-cargo plan will appear here
Configure the container, add cargo types and click Calculate loading plan.
Interactive container view
Drag to rotate. Use the buttons to change view, zoom or inspect levels.
Weight distribution estimate
- Estimated centre of gravity
- Longitudinal imbalance
- Lateral imbalance
Container constraints
Cargo allocation summary
Loaded quantities are produced by the selected heuristic arrangement.
| Cargo type | Requested | Loaded | Unplaced | Loaded weight | Loaded volume | Door status |
|---|
Planning observations
How this estimate is produced
The planner evaluates sixteen stable-stack arrangements using different cargo orders and rectangular orientations. Packages are stacked only on identical footprints, rows are kept contiguous and centred, and the result is scored for loaded quantity, occupied volume, payload and estimated balance. The method is a planning estimate and does not guarantee a mathematically optimal, certified or cargo-securement-approved arrangement.
How to Use the Mixed Cargo Container Planner
- Select the measurement system. Choose metric measurements in millimetres and kilograms or imperial measurements in inches and pounds.
- Select the container type. Choose a standard 20 ft, 40 ft or 45 ft container preset. Select the custom option when you need to enter different internal dimensions, door dimensions or payload.
- Check the container specifications. Preset dimensions are suitable for preliminary planning only. Actual dimensions and payload capacities may differ between individual containers.
- Add each cargo type. Enter a descriptive name together with the outer length, width, height, individual package weight and requested quantity.
- Choose whether rotation is allowed. When all six orientations are permitted, the planner may rotate the package so that any of its three dimensions can be treated as its vertical height.
- Set the loading priority. High-priority cargo is considered before normal- and low-priority cargo during relevant simulation passes.
- Select the planning objective. Choose whether the simulation should primarily favour package quantity, occupied volume, cargo weight or estimated balance.
- Set the simulation limit. The maximum simulated packages setting limits the number of individual packages processed by the browser. Very large simulations may take longer on mobile devices.
- Apply the constraints. Keep payload enforcement selected to prevent the simulated load from exceeding the stated container payload. Door enforcement excludes cargo that cannot pass through the entered opening.
- Calculate and inspect the result. Review the allocation summary, utilisation figures, container constraints, estimated weight distribution, planning observations and interactive 3D view.
Understanding the Cargo Inputs
Outer Dimensions
Enter the maximum external dimensions of the package, including packaging, pallet overhang, projecting fittings or protective material where applicable.
Package Weight
Enter the gross weight of one package, including its contents, packaging, pallet or supporting base.
Quantity
Enter the number of packages requested for that cargo type. The planner reports the quantity loaded and any quantity left unplaced.
Permitted Orientations
Allow rotation only when the package and its contents may safely be transported in the resulting orientation.
Loading Priority
Priority influences the order in which cargo types are considered. It does not reserve a guaranteed quantity or position.
Rectangular Approximation
Drums, machinery and irregular packages must be represented by rectangular bounding dimensions that contain their full outer profile.
Understanding the Calculation Results
Packages Loaded
Shows the total packages placed by the selected simulated arrangement compared with the total quantity requested.
Cargo Weight
Adds the individual package weights of all simulated loaded cargo and compares the total with the stated payload.
Volume Utilisation
Compares the combined geometric volume of the loaded cargo with the stated internal container volume.
Floor Coverage
Estimates the proportion of container floor occupied by packages or stacks that contact the floor.
Unplaced Cargo
Cargo may remain unplaced because of insufficient geometric space, payload restrictions, the door opening or the assumptions of the packing method.
CSV Export
Downloads the cargo allocation and principal utilisation results for record keeping or further review.
Using the Interactive 3D Container View
The 3D view presents an approximate visual representation of the selected simulated arrangement. Each cargo type is assigned a separate colour so that its position can be distinguished from other cargo types.
Use the Front, Side, Top and 3D buttons to change the viewing direction. The plus and minus buttons adjust the scale. On compatible devices, drag within the visualisation to rotate the arrangement.
The layer inspection selector can isolate packages that begin at a particular loading level. This helps users examine the simulated arrangement one level at a time.
Cargo labels are automatically hidden for large plans because hundreds of overlapping labels can obscure the visualisation. They may be enabled when package identification is more important than overall visual clarity.
Understanding the Weight Distribution Estimate
The planner compares the estimated cargo weight in the front and rear halves of the container and in the left and right halves. It also calculates an approximate cargo centre of gravity from the simulated positions and entered package weights.
The longitudinal midpoint of the container is halfway along its internal length. The lateral midpoint is halfway across its internal width. A centre of gravity close to those points generally indicates that the overall simulated load is centred, although the separate half-container percentages may still show some imbalance.
These figures are simplified planning indicators. They are not axle-load calculations and do not account for container tare distribution, tractor and chassis geometry, kingpin position, suspension, concentrated point loads or regulatory axle limits.
A result described as reasonably balanced should still be reviewed by a competent loading or transport professional before cargo is physically loaded.
Container Constraints Explained
Door opening
The door check determines whether at least one permitted rectangular face of each cargo type can fit within the entered door width and height. It does not model diagonal manoeuvring, forklift clearance, door hardware, packaging deformation or the space required to turn cargo after entry.
Payload limit
The payload check compares loaded cargo weight with the entered maximum container payload. It does not determine maximum legal road weight, verified gross mass, axle loads or shipping-line restrictions.
Geometric capacity
Geometric capacity indicates whether the selected simulation placed all requested packages within the stated internal dimensions. It does not certify that the resulting arrangement is physically loadable or adequately secured.
How the Stable-Stack Simulation Works
The planner uses a heuristic stable-stack method. It tests several combinations of cargo order and package orientation rather than relying on a single loading sequence.
Packages above floor level are placed in homogeneous stacks with matching footprints beneath them. This conservative assumption prevents the simulation from presenting packages that are visibly unsupported or floating.
The resulting stacks are arranged into a contiguous loading zone and positioned to improve estimated longitudinal and lateral balance where possible. The planner then compares the tested arrangements according to the selected objective.
This method provides an understandable and stable planning estimate, but it does not guarantee the mathematically optimal arrangement. A different packing method, stacking rule or operational loading sequence may produce a different result.
Important Operational Limitations
The tool assumes that every package is a rigid rectangular object. It does not calculate package compression, crushing strength, stacking strength, maximum permitted stack height, pallet condition or deformation.
It also does not design blocking, bracing, lashing, dunnage, airbags, timber structures or other cargo-securing systems. Low-utilisation cargo may require extensive securing to prevent longitudinal, lateral and vertical movement.
The tool does not assess dangerous goods compatibility, ventilation, temperature control, moisture, food-grade requirements, contamination risk, floor point loads, dynamic sea forces or compliance with an individual carrier’s packing instructions.
Verify the Actual Container
Standard container presets are provided for convenient preliminary planning. Actual internal length, internal width, internal height, door opening, tare weight, maximum gross weight and payload may vary by container manufacturer, design, owner and individual unit.
Before loading, inspect the actual container and verify its CSC safety approval plate and operator specifications. Where the physical container differs from the preset, use the custom container option and enter the confirmed measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the planner calculate different carton sizes together?
Yes. Add each carton or package size as a separate cargo type with its own dimensions, weight and quantity.
Can it calculate pallets, drums and IBCs?
Yes, provided each item is represented by its maximum rectangular outer dimensions. Cylindrical drums are therefore treated as rectangular bounding boxes rather than circular objects.
Does the planner guarantee the maximum possible quantity?
No. It compares several heuristic arrangements but cannot guarantee a mathematical optimum for every combination of mixed cargo.
Does a door pass mean the package can definitely be loaded?
No. It means a permitted rectangular face fits within the stated opening. Actual handling equipment, manoeuvring space and loading technique must still be considered.
Is the weight-distribution result an axle-load calculation?
No. It is an approximate distribution of cargo weight within the container and does not determine tractor, chassis or road axle loads.
Can the result be used as a certified loading plan?
No. The result is intended for preliminary planning and discussion. Final loading and securing decisions remain the responsibility of the shipper and relevant logistics professionals.
Who May Find This Tool Useful?
The planner may assist exporters, importers, warehouse teams, packaging specialists, freight forwarders, manufacturers and logistics planners when comparing preliminary mixed-cargo loading possibilities.
It may also be used to identify questions that require further investigation, such as door clearance, excessive payload, low container utilisation, uneven weight distribution or the need for additional cargo securing.
Planning Tool Disclaimer
The LAF Mixed Cargo Container Planner is provided for preliminary planning and educational purposes only. Calculations and visual arrangements are estimates based on user-entered information and simplified simulation assumptions. Results do not constitute a certified loading plan, engineering assessment, cargo-securing plan, axle-load calculation, legal compliance determination or carrier approval. Users remain responsible for verifying actual container specifications, cargo characteristics, package strength, payload, gross mass, weight distribution, floor loading, stacking suitability, handling requirements, securing arrangements and all applicable transport, carrier and regulatory requirements before loading or transporting cargo.