Center of Gravity

Center of Gravity (CoG) in foreign trade logistics refers to the central point of the overall mass distribution of cargo, typically used to calculate the stability and lifting safety of containers, pallets, or bulk cargo. Usage scenarios include: 1) When loading containers, determining the CoG position to avoid uneven loading and ensure transport safety; 2) When transporting large equipment or irregularly shaped cargo, providing CoG data to the carrier to develop lashing and securing plans; 3) Marking the CoG on bills of lading, packing lists, or shipping instructions for reference in port lifting and ship stowage. Precautions: The CoG must be accurately calculated or measured; deviation may cause lifting overturning, container falling into water, and other accidents; if the cargo's CoG deviates from the geometric center, the direction and distance of the offset must be clearly marked. Difference from other terms: CoG is different from 'geometric center' (based only on external dimensions) and from 'lifting point' (a force-bearing point specifically for hoisting), but lifting points usually need to be symmetrically arranged based on the CoG. Foreign trade practitioners should specify CoG requirements in contracts, letters of credit, or transport documents to avoid rejection or claims due to missing information.