Overseas Container Shipping
Containerization, also known as Overseas Container Shipping if used for trans-oceanic shipping, is a system of international freight transport cargo transport using standard ISO containers. These ISO Containers are usually known as shipping containers or isotainers and are roughly truck sized. You have probably seen them on rail cars or being pulled by tractor trailers. The containers can be loaded and sealed intact onto container ships, railroad cars, planes, and trucks. This article will focus on international overseas container shipping from the USA.
The earliest container ships were converted tankers built from surplus T2 tankers after World War II. The first container ship was the Ideal-X, a converted T2, owned by Malcom McLean. The Ideal-X carried 58 metal containers between Newark, New Jersey and Houston, Texas on its first voyage in April 1956. On November 26, 1955 a ship called the Clifford J. Rogers also transported containers. Modern container ships are purpose built for ISO containers and as a group are second only to crude oil tankers and bulk carriers as the biggest cargo ships in the world's oceans.
Overseas container shipping companies are not equipped to handle: jewelry, pressurized spray cans, any flammable, hazardous, or toxic substances, perishable goods such as food, open bottles containing any liquids or other contents, fire arms, live plants or seeds, and valuable and important papers such as family records, birth certificates, marriage documents, financial information and other such documents. Please keep this in mind when filling your container.
Upon arrival of your overseas container shipping container, the agent in the country of your destination overseas will notify you that your shipment has arrived. You will have to clear customs, pay a port fee, and either pickup your shipment or make arrangements to have your goods picked up for you. You have options in custom clearance and arranging for delivery of your goods to its final destination. You can clear customs yourself, hire a custom broker to do so for you, or go through the agent. This also applies for the arranging of your shipment to its final destination. When your container arrives, you will be charged a port fee. In general, the port fee for a 20' container can cost up to 250 dollars and for a 40' container it can cost up to 35 dollars. This amount will vary depending on the port regulations of each country. Plus the extra cost of shipping to your residence or final destination overseas can be arranged independently or, depending on country destination and regulations, through the agent. The port agent will contact you. If you require any of these services, the agent there will be able to assist you when they notify you of your shipment's arrival.
Shipping Cars Overseas
|
