Ship stevedoring literary means "loading the ships," but modern stevedore handling includes warehousing, too. Loading, unloading and storing ship cargo requires experience and knowledge about loading equipment, safety conditions, appropriate storage techniques and handling hazardous materials.
When choosing a stevedore agency, seek a company that can best handle the sort of cargo you're dealing in. For example, if you're shipping tropical fruit, you'll want stevedoring and warehousing that's appropriately refrigerated. But in a more basic sense, you must base the ship stevedoring you choose largely on location. In general, your choices are to:
1. Select stevedoring and warehousing services in the East,
2. Choose stevedoring services in the West,
3. Or pick stevedore handling in the South.
Select stevedore services in the East
There are many stevedoring services to choose from along the East Coast, servicing ports from Maine to Florida. Many tend to specialize in certain types of cargo, and a some even offer worldwide services to their clients.
Choose stevedore companies in the West
There are nearly as many stevedore service companies in the West as there are in the East. Many specialize in handling food--especially seafood. And while some offer limited, regional services, many provide worldwide services, as well.
Pick stevedoring services in the South
Most stevedore companies with worldwide services have operations in the Pacific Southwest. There are also some smaller companies, often providing specialized services, that focus entirely on the Pacific Southwest.
- Some ports have stevedoring companies directly affiliated with them, and this can make your job easier. To see if your port has this option, call the port for stevedoring information, or check the port's website.
