Port congestion, tight capacity, container shortages and other woes, all linked to pandemic-induced disruptions, have shippers tearing their hair out over ocean shipping transit time.
No one expects the global transportation pipeline to get back to normal anytime soon. But by deploying a few smart techniques you could, in some cases, shave some time off your ocean transit.
Container shipping rates were bad enough at the start of 2021, but today they’re even steeper. As of May, transporting a container from Europe to the US costs $2,000 to $3,000 more than it did in January.
In the current market, there’s no room to negotiate with ocean carriers. But with the right strategy, it’s still possible to reduce your shipping costs.
When you need a freight forwarder to handle your overseas shipments, you face a dizzying number and variety of choices, from huge global enterprises to smaller specialty firms. How to choose a freight forwarder that matches your needs? The answer isn’t simple.
Here’s a look at what to expect as you evaluate possible partners, large and small.
Oversize freight often crosses the ocean in specialized containers, especially on flat racks. But for some cargo, break bulk shipping is a better option. Here’s a look at what can make break bulk a good choice for oversize freight, with some advice about how to ship break bulk successfully.
Atlantic Ocean freight has become a tough business. Companies that ship cargo from Europe to the US are waiting longer and paying a good deal to secure space on trans-Atlantic vessels. The situation probably won’t ease up until the second half of the year.
When you import unassembled furniture, some of the choices you make about transportation can save you a good deal of money. Here’s some advice on how to find cost-saving opportunities when shipping furniture in containers.
Port congestion on the West Coast is a nightmare right now, and the problem threatens to spread to other regions of the US. Port gridlock can cause long delays in supply chains, but that’s only the start of the trouble you might suffer when you can’t get containers in or out of a marine terminal. Congestion can also cost you a lot of money.
If you’ve shipped a container lately, you know that ocean freight rates are soaring. A container that might have cost $3,000 to ship from East Asia to Europe a year ago could now cost as much as $10,000. And that’s assuming you actually can find a container and book space on a vessel.
What’s going on with shipping lines these days?
Out of gauge cargo shipping often presents you with a choice. Is it better to transport the oversize load in a specialized ocean container? Or should you use roll-on, roll-off (RO-RO) service?
Here are some questions to consider as you choose the most efficient and cost-effective way to ship out of gauge cargo.
Ireland and the USA are significant trading partners. We've put together this shipping spotlight to summarize the type and volume of goods moving between the two countries, including shipping from Ireland to USA.
