Container shipping: what do you need to know?

Container transport is an excellent choice when there is a large volume of goods to be transported. Understand how its features and advantages work.

Container Transport: what you need to know?

Container transport is an important form of logistics, mainly for the flow of cargo through ports. Whether in the case of export or import, this method requires specialization, as the trucks must have adequate structures to transport the goods by road. Click Here for LEEA Course

In addition, there are also specific standards that must be followed for this type of movement.

Container transport by sea is a great option when the route is between countries or continents. However, for cargo to arrive and leave the ports to their destinations, there must be adapted options, such as trucks or trailers to carry out this type of movement.

How did the container come about?

For many centuries, the process of transporting cargo in ports was very rudimentary. Products were taken to the port, stored in warehouses and then loaded by stevedores into the holds of ships. In this model, there was no standardization to organize the cargo, nor control of what had already been done. As a result, there was a huge loss of time and money during the movement.

With the industrial revolution and other subsequent developments, there was an increase in the production of consumer goods and it became unfeasible to maintain the old model.

What is container transport?

Some logistics experts say that the invention of the container was one of the drivers that accelerated globalization worldwide. Conceptually, it is a versatile logistics equipment made of steel, aluminum or fiber.

The container can be used to transport dry cargo, such as food, clothing, furniture and chemical products. There are other options that are specific to heat-generating cargo, models with side or full opening and refrigerated containers.

When a ship arrives at the port loaded, there must be viable options to remove the cargo from the location and take it to its final destination. In this case, trucks are the best option for transporting containers by land, as they are cheaper and faster modes.

To make this movement, the transport company in charge needs to have specific vehicles, such as buggies, trailers, double trailers and road trains. These models, combined with a container carrier, will enable the vehicle to support the weight and size of the containers, for safe transport within current regulations. In addition, it is necessary to use auxiliary equipment, such as cranes, in order to correctly position the container on the truck.

What are the advantages of this method?

Container transport is a cost-effective and fast solution when there is a need to move large quantities of cargo.

In addition, when opting for transport, the procedures for releasing the products are faster. The container to be transported to other locations so that clearance can take place at another customs terminal.

Many companies choose this option because storage costs, clearance time and bureaucracy are lower.

This option is also safe in terms of maintaining the goods, since the container is made of a resistant material that is suitable for the needs of what is being transported. This provides a greater guarantee of inviolability and reduces losses and damage.

Another interesting point is that trucks that transport containers are less likely to be robbed, since the specificity and particularity of the cargo makes it difficult to steal.

Containers are also considered to be equipment for transport vehicles, which is why they receive some exclusive tax advantages and benefits that reduce transportation costs. Finally, they are quite versatile and can transport a wide variety of products, from processed foods to food and medicine.