Waterborne Container Carriers

Guide to Waterborne Container Carriers

Container carriers optimize space and provide efficiency in moving your goods
By Michael Berman

If you're moving a large amount of cargo overseas, it makes sense (and cents) to use ocean container carriers. Although it takes a lot longer to ship cargo by ocean (or other waterway) than by air, there are distinct advantages to using ships and barges as container carriers.

In fact, using waterborne container carriers gives you more control over your cargo, allowing you to specify each container for specific locations. Various forms of container transportation include: 1. Roll-on/roll-off services. 2. Refrigerated containers (reefers). 3. Inland U.S. container barge services. 4. Less-than-container load (LCL) services.

Other advantages include:

1. Twenty and 40-TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) containers can accommodate a lot more cargo than an air transport container, otherwise known as an igloo.

2. Your cargo is a lot safer using container transportation than if you move it using a bulk carrier.

3. Using a refrigerated (reefer) container transportation keeps your perishables fresh from embarkation to destination.

4. Containers can be moved from a ship or barge to another intermodal carrier, such as a train or truck, without being unpacked.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

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.

Tips & Tactics

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.