The Cheapest Way to Move a Shipping Container
Francisca Olive / May 2023
Although moving a shipping container might be pricey, there are ways to accomplish it on a budget. This article will explore the cheapest ways to move a shipping container so that you can choose the best option for your budget and needs.
The Cheapest Way to Move a Shipping Container: Sea Freight
Ocean freight is the cheapest way to move a shipping container. Before the invention of air freight, sea freight was the only method of overseas transport.
Affordability
Sea freight is the most cost-effective mode of transportation, regardless of the number of items transported. Barges can move vast quantities of packaged goods or bulk commodities across short or long distances at a cost unmatched by any other form of transportation.
LCL services allow freight forwarders to divide container moving costs amongst their clients, allowing them to offer affordable shipping for smaller items such as cases, bottles, pallets, or even drums and IBCs.
On the other hand, the maritime freight business can face chaotic and unprecedented situations, such as port congestion, a lack of shipping containers, delays at customs, and several other issues.
Other Benefits of Sea Freight
When it comes to reducing emissions, sea freight is unrivaled.
Although sea travel is often slower and more susceptible to weather-related delays, it has a greater range. As there is usually a port of entry close by, it is now possible to ship goods anywhere in the world by sea.
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Air Freight
Air freight is the most efficient shipping option for urgent or perishable items. Typically, cargo aircraft fly at a speed of about 900 km/h. In addition, cargo planes often use straight flight paths, eliminating the potential for air traffic jams and boosting their unparalleled delivery speed.
As their shelf lives are short and security measures must be stringent, perishable goods and high-value commodities are ideal cargo for air transport. Compared to other transportation modes, the ability to swiftly and easily adjust flight routes in the event of poor weather results means a reduced risk of damage to the cargo.
However, air freight is the most expensive method of moving a shipping container. It is also the only other option (apart from sea freight) for shipping goods overseas, so if you want to ship perishable or urgent goods overseas, this is your best option.
Road Transporation
Road travel is the second most popular mode of transportation and is the simplest and fastest way to handle domestic deliveries.
A portion of any container shipment will always involve vehicle transport. In addition to being the second most common method of transportation, it is also the most essential. Like ocean freight, it offers its clientele full truckload (FTL) and groupage/LTL services. Although there may be multiple points of contact during road transport, container moving costs may be lower, especially in the case of LTL shipping.
It is also easier to meet paperwork requirements while transporting a container by road, especially if the vehicles are not crossing international borders. Delivery times for goods traveling by road are often short, thanks to the abundance of transport firms offering a wide range of vehicle sizes.
Rail Transport
Rail freight is a cost-effective option for long-distance land travel. It is speedy, trustworthy, and safe, with few delays.
When transporting goods, the most pressing concern is getting a shipment to its destination on schedule and without any incidents. Because of this, it is crucial to choose a reliable mode of transportation. Rail transit meets this need. Because railway authorities closely control the capacity on the rails and trains are rarely affected by the weather, there is seldom a problem with traffic congestion. Trains do not stop very often, and most services go straight to their respective destinations.
Another area in which rail freight transportation shines is the high standard of safety it maintains for cargo. Cargo train thefts are pretty unusual. Because freight terminals and railways are typically safe sites with low crime rates, trains are the most reliable method for transporting goods cross country.
Furthermore, rail transportation is an eco-friendly option for land-based cargo operations. When it comes to conveying huge freight loads over numerous carriages and long distances, this form of transportation is more environmentally friendly than road transportation since most trains run on electricity, resulting in minimal CO2 emissions.
Key Takeaway
Sea freight is often considered the most cost-effective transport option. However, this varies depending on the volume of cargo being shipped. No one method of container shipping is inherently better than the others.
William Thomas
Heavy Transport Specialist
Being able to lead a team of such talented logistics agents has been a wonderful experience over the past ten years.
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