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Container Shipping Services for Overseas Shipping: An Overview
When it comes to shipping goods overseas, container shipping is the preferred option for many businesses and individuals. Not only is it cost-effective, but it’s also reliable and efficient.
International shipping can be a complex and daunting process, but with the right container shipping services, it can be made much simpler. One of the most important aspects of overseas shipping is the type of container used to transport your goods. At International Sea & Air Shipping, we offer a wide range of container shipping services to meet your needs. Whether you need a full container load or less than a container load, we can help you transport your goods safely and efficiently.
Container Shipping and Moving Container Companies
Container shipping is how large shipments are sent globally aboard liner ships (known as ocean freight shipping). The ships travel on designated routes, and each container shipment fulfils a specific supply chain. Each day, thousands of containers arrive at seaports carrying cargo from around the world.
Corporations and other large entities that need to transport a large number of goods overseas prefer international container shipping. Because, it provides them with a safe, relatively easy means of shipping those items. When these organizations need to send products and equipment across the ocean, container shipping tends to be the most cost-effective option. Although this is most commonly used for shipping manufactured goods to market, container shipping companies such as International Sea & Air Shipping also serve customers who need to ship their personal belongings, such as cars and furniture, overseas.
Container shipping is the fastest way to ship goods overseas, but it is reliable and effective. Loading goods into durable containers that are then loaded directly onto trucks means there is less handling of goods, reducing the risk of damage during shipping. The container shipping method also ensures the most efficient loading of cargo ships, resulting in lower overall shipping costs when compared to other methods of shipping goods overseas.
Container shipping differs from conventional shipping because, instead of boxes and crates, it uses large shipping containers that come in standardized sizes.
International Sea & Air Shipping has contracts with all the major steamship lines, so you can rest assured you will receive the best rate when it comes to ocean freight shipping to all foreign seaports!
The containers are loaded by International Sea & Air Shipping, sealed and locked until they are ready for transport. Once the containers arrive at their destination, they can be removed from the liner ships and moved onto trucks and trains – making it the smoothest way to transport your items.
Because the shipping containers are loaded and sealed by International Sea & Air Shipping, the goods are secured and arrive safely at their destination. More than 50 percent of goods shipped around the world are shipped using container shipping services.
For containers dimensions and capacity, please click here
About Shipping Containers
The 20-foot and 40-foot containers are the most widely used containers in the shipping industry and have become the industry standard for cargo volume and vessel capacity.
The 20-foot container, referred to as a Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) became the industry standard reference, so now cargo volume and vessel capacity are commonly measured in TEU. The 40-foot length container – literally 2 TEU – became known as the Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) and is the most frequently used container today.
We are experts at managing complex transportation networks. We can deliver shipments anywhere through our global network. Our freight container shipping services can bring those parts together to make managing your supply chain simpler. FCL (Full Container Load) – Our comprehensive NVOCC* services provide frequent departures at competitive rates for full container load (FCL) shipments from major ports around the world. LCL Less-Than-Container Load) – When you don’t have enough volume for a full container, we offer less-than-container load (LCL) service between major ports worldwide.
Containers are usually made of aluminium or steel. Each container size and type is built according to the same International Organization for Standardization specifications, no matter where the container is made. This will ensure that all the containers can easily be stacked most efficiently atop one another. It also guarantees that trucks, ships, trains and cranes can be built or specially fitted to suit size specifications.
Determining container size
Unsure whether you require a 20 or 40 foot sized container? Get a free shipping estimate quickly and easily today!
For reference, a 20 foot container (approximately 1,000 cubit feet in space) generally holds three to four rooms worth of furniture and a 40 foot container (2,000 cubic feet) is generally used for moving four to seven rooms worth of belongings.
Of course, if you are only shipping one to two rooms worth of furniture or household goods, there is always the option of choosing Lift Vans, which are wooden crates that are nonetheless still sent via ocean freight.
Types of Containers for Overseas Shipping To Choose From
If you plan to ship your belongings overseas and have chosen to send them via ocean freight (the more economical albeit more time consuming option), your goods will be transported via container. But what are the different types of ocean freight containers and how do they differ?
What you plan to ship will determine what type of container you require, whether it’s temperature controlled, open, sealed, or every imaginable option in between.
Dry storage container – this is the most common type of shipping container (see photo above), which is used to ship dry materials (dry containers generally come in either 20 or 40 foot options, but 10 foot containers do exist)
Flat rack container – containers like this have collapsible sides which can be folded into a “flat rack” to accommodate a wide variety of items.
Open top container – much like a convertible car, the open top container has a convertible top that is removed to ship items of extreme height.
Open side container – for easier loading, these types of containers open from the side rather than the front.
Double door container – open side containers not making loading from the side easy enough, this is where the double door container comes in.
Refrigerated ISO container – used to ship perishable items such as fruits and vegetables over long distances, this container is kept at low temperatures throughout its journey.
Insulated/thermal container – unlike refrigerated containers, insulated or thermal containers are regulated to be at a higher temperature to transport items that don’t necessarily need to be kept cold but do require a temperature controlled environment.
Car carriers – these vehicle specific containers come with collapsible sides to ensure a snug fit (without damage) for all your car shipping needs.
Container options
In addition to the different overseas container types, there are also a few more options you have when it comes to choosing a container for your household goods.
Exclusive containers – sealed, larger steel containers full of items that belong to you and you alone (see also: dry storage containers above)
Shared containers – (AKA Groupage Containers and Partial Container Shipments) for shipments too small to warrant their own container – also more economical as your belongings will be housed with others, thus saving you money on overseas shipping costs.
Container Shipping Services – Shipping Methods and Service Types
Container shipping services are available for a variety of options, including your personal international move. At International Sea & Air Shipping, we offer full door-to-door service with packing and loading of your goods; or door-to-door and door-to-port service with self-packing and self-loading. Depending on the volume or the weight of your personal belongings, your goods will be shipped in an exclusive 20-foot or 40-foot container – dimensions and capacity will vary based on the cubic footage of your goods.
Listed below are the types of shipping methods:
- Door to Door
- Door to Port
- Port to Door
- Port to Port
You can choose the type of service that fits your budget:
- Full-service packing and loading
- Partial-Service packing and loading
- Self-pack (loading only)
- Sell-pack and self-load
For the most efficient way to determine the volume of your shipment, schedule your free virtual in-home survey with us as soon as possible. This on-site survey will allow us to meet with you in-person, view your household, estimate the cubic Free In-Home Estimate footage required for your move; and further discuss the details of your relocation, your budget, and your packing and storage options.
As a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC), we can obtain competitive shipping rates and pass them onto our customers.
For more information about container shipping services and rates, contact us at 1 (866) 788-1090 or fill out our easy estimate form to get started with your international move – we look forward to serving you!