Ocean freight forwarding is a very important factor in the development of international trade. Containers are reusable, robust steel structures built for efficient, reliable, and accident-free transportation of products in a transport system with international standards. The container can be transported in different modes of transportation without unloading the products inside. Full container transportation, which is not completely new, became widespread with the USA during the Second World War and began to evolve into its modern state. For over 65 years, modern full container transportation has been offering a stable shipping option for products to be transported almost since the first trip.
Shipping of products by sea is preferred because of its low cost, high loading capacity, and minimum restrictions imposed for ocean container transportation. Ocean freight services provide significantly lower cost of shipping in the case of long-distance product transportation. This method of forwarding is safe and effective, especially for international full container shipping. The use of containers in forwarding provides extra security for the goods being transported and speeds up the handling and loading/unloading process of small freights. Along with traditional transport, productivity has been greatly improved by the realization that it would be much simpler and faster to have containers that can be transported directly to the shipping vessel. Thanks to full container forwarding, products can be transported between ships, trucks, and trains without any problems. This developed mode of transport provides excellent benefits to international trade in terms of reducing shipping costs and not damaging goods. The commercial product stays in the container from the beginning of the transportation process, however, it is safely transported from the manufacturer to the final customer.
Container Types in Transportation
There are shipping container types for different products:
Flat rack containers: Include folding sides that are ideal for shipping ships.
Containers with opening side lids: The doors can be fully opened from the side, allowing for larger material loading, ideal for full container transport of vegetables.
Open top containers:This type of container does not have a roof. This allows goods of any height, such as logs or machinery, to be shipped.
Refrigerated containers: Usually for food stocks. keeps the products fresh.
Tank containers: Provides full container transportation of cargo that need extra security due to its robust structure.
Container Transportation by Shipping Types
Container shipment types shipments by container, classified by the number of final recipients:
FCL (Full Container Load): A fully loaded container, i.e. when the goods must be received by a single buyer, regardless of whether the maximum weight or the maximum volume has been reached. This type of shipment is usually preferred by those who have a high quantity of freights to ship for a single recipient.
LCL (Less Than Container Load):Partial freight container when shipping takes place with non-exclusive use of the container. In this case, the rental can be organized to provide more than one buyer. If the goods to be shipped are not enough to fill a standard container, the freight is grouped with other lots for the same destination at a Container Freight Station.
World logistics largely uses full container transportation, therefore; major international ports provide dedicated terminals for loading and unloading containers and transferring them to trains or trucks. Some ports have become hubs with the highest container density, especially from Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America / to Europe and on national or international routes. Logistics centers play an important role in transport logistics today and this importance is still increasing. In addition, transport networks have many small but equally important logistics centers, such as transport logistics areas. After being collected in these centers, the containers are taken and sent to the smaller terminals. Therefore, tracking signals that can track the exact location of the load at any time is essential for full container shipping.
Pricing in International Container Transport
Full container transportation is currently the most economical type of cargo transportation. Its use in domestic and international traffic provides advantages in terms of price. With the use of removable devices known as containers in various road, ocean, and air transportation, significant savings are made in transportation services. Containers can be used for any cargo permitted by shipping rules. Therefore, using containers reduces the cost significantly compared to traditional transportation. Pricing is one of the most important factors affecting the shipment of goods in full container transportation.
Factors Affecting Pricing in Container Transportation
Volume or weight of goods: Not officially one or the other because it depends on what type of delivery you are using. It is an important item for full container transportation. When it comes to ocean freight, the size of your goods is the most important. The more products you have, the more it costs to ship them to destinations. It is an important item for full container transportation.
Transportation type: Will your products be transported by air or by ocean? The type of transport will determine both the price and the time for your items to arrive. Airfreight tends to be a faster and costlier alternative to ocean freight, so if you have time to spare, you should choose to shipment by ship. Ocean freight is generally about five times cheaper than air freight forwarding.
Travel distance: The distance between the departure point of the shipment and the transportation point is an important element for container transportation. Due to the increase in logistics operations over long distances, wages increase. Destination port: Customs duties and service charges are inevitable but differ from country to country. Naturally, the destination of your goods will determine how much you have to pay in terms of customs and taxes.
Accurate timing: International shipping has peak seasons just like any other industry. These usually take place during the summer months (between August and September) and just after the Chinese New Year (between January and February). Demand is higher during peak season, prices are higher and capacity is more limited. If you want the lowest prices, it’s best to avoid shipping on these dates.
Accurate timing: International shipping has peak seasons just like any other industry. These usually take place during the summer months (between August and September) and just after the Chinese New Year (between January and February). Demand is higher during peak season, prices are higher and capacity is more limited. If you want the lowest prices, it’s best to avoid shipping on these dates.
Integrated Service Solutions (ISS), which is a leader among container shipping companies in the world, is ready to take your products anywhere in the world in the safest and most economical way. You can contact us for detailed information and pricing.