Rakodást

Rakodást, the Hungarian term for loading and unloading goods, refers to the process of transferring cargo between transportation modes or between a vehicle and a storage facility. It encompasses the movements that transfer cargo within a supply chain and applies to maritime, rail, road, air, and inland warehousing operations.

Typical operations follow standard workflows: receiving items, verifying documents and quantities, staging cargo, and transferring it to outbound transport or storage. For unitized cargo, pallets and containers enable efficient handling, while accurate documentation and tracking are essential for inventory control.

Handling methods depend on cargo type and environment. Manual handling remains common for small or delicate items, but most operations use mechanical equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, cranes, or conveyors. In ports and rail yards, gantry cranes and specialized container handlers are frequently employed.

Safety and regulation guide rakodást practices. Workers receive training in manual handling, equipment operation, and hazard assessment. Practices address load securing, weight limits, personal protective equipment, fall protection, and emergency procedures, with compliance obligations under national and European occupational safety standards.

Historically, rakodást evolved from manual loading to containerized handling, which improved efficiency and intermodal transfers. Today, automation, sensors, and digital management systems further optimize cargo transfer and tracking across global supply chains.