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Look at container transport dimensions

Scope out the standard sizes of ocean container carriers available on the market. Custom sizes are available for production, but you will find that purchasing a standard size is most cost effective.

I recommend: Find standard ocean container dimensions, with images of the different types from Foreign Trade On-Line. Roadway also offers helpful ocean container specifications. Look at dry freight and high cube container info.

Check out container transportation interactive guides and specs

Take a look at businesses that offer interactive container transportation resources and information. Also check out additional specification information from business providers.

I recommend: World Class Shipping offers an interactive guide to shipping container size and specifications. Take a look at the Ocean Container Specs from Averitt.

Do a comparative study on ocean container carriers

Look at the differences in reconditioned, new and custom transport containers. Also consider investing in an industry report to help you make your decision.

I recommend: Find out from W&K Container the difference between purchasing a new container versus a reconditioned container versus a modified container. Consider the purchase of the industry report Illustrated Guide to Ocean Freight Containers to help you make your ocean container carrier purchase. It is available for $18.00 as an automated pdf download copy printable on 8.5x11. It profiles different ocean freight container types as well as container handling equipment.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pricing for ocean container carriers will generally vary by region.
• •  Find out what ton rating your transport containers are built for before purchasing and filling up.

Guide to Waterborne Container Carriers

Container carriers optimize space and provide efficiency in moving your goods

By Michael Berman

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Container transport to Europe

There are tons of ocean container carriers that specialize in moving cargo to European ports.

I recommend: Major ship lines providing container transport to European ports include American President Lines (APL), Maersk, Atlantic Container Line (ACL) and Hamburg Sud. Unfortunately the number of container transport lines plying the Atlantic have dwindled as they become gobbled up by large conglomerates. A case in point -- Sealand (which was the first container line) is now part of Maersk and Columbus Line is now Hamburg Sud.

Transport containers to the Far East

Trade with the Chinese has skyrocketed as China moves more cargo to the U.S. out of major ports such as Hong Kong. Also, Japan is still a major trading partner.

I recommend: Major container carrier shipping company services in the Far east are provided by American President Lines (out of Australia), Evergreen Marine Corp., China Ocean Shipping Co, (COSCO) and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL).

Transport containers to the Middle East

The Port of Jebel Ali and various other locations in the Mediterranean continue to be major destinations for container freight carriers.

I recommend: International container carriers serving mideastern ports include Zim, Maersk, Global Container Lines and Admiral Container Lines.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check to see if the ship line you're considering offers any specialized services such as reefer containers and roll-on/roll-off.
• •  Make sure the ship line you choose offers a cargo tracking service that's easy to use.
• •  Request intermodal service from the ship to your destination. All of the more reputable ship lines work with railroads, trucking companies and barge lines to ensure your cargo has an uninterrupted journey.
• •  Many of the larger ship lines offer custom broking/freight forwarding services. But, if not, make sure you book your cargo through a reliable customs broker or freight forwarder.

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Stay on top of the latest news on container carriers

Keep abreast of the most up to date information regarding container carriers. Find out what information impacts the physical makeup of the containers as well as what affects their market pricing.

I recommend: Read from FedEx about new rules regarding ocean container seals. Find out about container rate increase news from AllBusiness.com.

Use container transport resources

Take advantage of container transport resources for your shipment, but also look at how carrier container transport trends affect other industries.

I recommend: Find out the latest ocean container carrier shipping rates and operational information from Air Parcel Express. Read a U.S. Department of Agriculture Grain Transportation Report on the analysis of ocean container carrier rates have on their industry.

Watch the latest trends in transport containers

Keep up with the most up-to-date trends in the container transport industry. Find out what new products are on the market, and see how industry factors are driving the business.

I recommend: Follow the ocean transport industry latest information through World Trade Magazine. Find out how competition, supply and demand and environmental concerns are impacting the industry. Read LogisticsWorld's coverage on INTTRA's Idle Container Management e-commerce portal, a revolutionary on-demand management solution.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are seeking to purchase a large number of containers for your business, seek out wholesale ocean container carriers for the best pricing. If you are unsure if your vendor sells at wholesale pricing, don't hesitate to ask. Ask what the pricing would be at various quantities, or ask if they offer a bulk purchase discount.
• •  When working with ocean container transportation, you should also consider hiring a customs broker or freight forwarder to help you with the necessary customs paperwork and import/export taxes and fees. They might also be helpful in purchasing your ocean container as they might have a bulk deal worked out with a supplier, or they might have a contact with a company that sells refurbished container carriers from clients that they have worked with in the past.

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Intermodal

Most waterborne containers reach their port of origin, and are then carried away from the destination port by truck or rail. This makes them intermodal containers, meaning they're specifically constructed and packed to be transported by more than one method before they reach their final destination.

I recommend: LoadMatch explains intermodal shipping and gives several examples of how it works.

ISO containers

Almost all waterborne containers are ISO intermodal containers, manufactured to meet the regulations of the International Standards Organization (ISO) for intermodal shipping.

I recommend: GlobalSpec explains the different types of ISO containers, their characteristics and capabilities, as well as how they're typically handled and loaded.

ISO 6780:2003

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sets and oversees standards for shipping and manufacturing around the world. ISO 6780:2003 sets the standard for pallets used for intercontinental shipping, including waterborne containers.

I recommend: Use the International Organization for Standardization to learn more about pallets and waterborne containers.

Europallet

Also known as a European pallet or a CEN pallet, the Europallet is the standard shipping unit in Europe. European distributors may insist that goods shipped to them in waterborne containers be packaged on European pallets, in which case the container must be packed differently to satisfy the requirements.

I recommend: Compliance Packaging International explains the Europallet and provides essential facts about its use.

Tare

Tare or tare weight is a common specification you'll encounter when reviewing waterborne containers. Tare is the weight of the container alone, before it is loaded.

I recommend: wiseGEEK gives an explanation of tare or tare weight and why it's so important in shipping.

High cube

High cube waterborne containers are the same dimensions as a standard container, except that they typically offer an extra foot or more in height. Because so many different sizes of standard containers are available, the specification 'high cube' on its own is not enough to fully explain the size of a container; you must request specific dimensions to be sure what you're getting.

I recommend: National Intermodal Services compares the dimensions of standard waterborne containers against high cube equipment.