How to Control Partial Shipments for Multi-Tower and Multi-Bed Packing Projects

Large projects are not always shipped in one lot.

Partial shipment may be required because:

• one tower is needed earlier;
• production is staged;
• container capacity is limited;
• site schedule differs by equipment.

Partial shipment creates a new risk:

The total project quantity may be correct while an individual tower or bed arrives incomplete.

1. Divide the Project Before Shipping

Track supply by:

Tower → Bed → Product → Quantity

Do not control only the project total.

2. Define What Each Shipment Contains

Shipment 1 may contain:

T-101 Bed 1 complete.

Shipment 2:

T-101 Bed 2 + spare.

This is clearer than:

First 50% of order.

3. Keep Structured Packing Sets Together

If possible, avoid splitting a single layer unnecessarily across shipments.

Segments required for one installation sequence should remain identifiable.

4. Track Cumulative Quantity

Maintain:

• ordered;
• previously shipped;
• current shipment;
• balance remaining.

This prevents double shipment or shortage.

5. Package Marks Should Identify Shipment and Equipment

Useful information:

• project;
• shipment number;
• tower;
• bed;
• package number.

6. Documentation Must Match Each Partial Shipment

Each shipment should have a packing list showing exactly what is included.

The final shipment should reconcile the complete PO.

7. Spare Quantity Should Not Disappear

If spare packing is scheduled for the final shipment, record it separately.

Site teams should know whether earlier shipments are complete installation quantities or intentionally exclude spare stock.

8. Review Installation Dependency

Do not ship:

Upper distributor

without:

required lower support

if site installation sequence requires the support first.

Partial shipment should respect the installation sequence.

9. Close the Final Balance

Before declaring the order complete, reconcile every PO line.

Engineering Takeaway

Partial shipment should be controlled using:

Project Total→ Tower Allocation→ Bed Allocation→ Shipment Quantity→ Cumulative Balance

A shipping percentage alone is not enough.