Standard shipping containers come in lengths of 20ft (with up to 33.2 cubic meters of capacity) or 40ft (with up to 67.7 cubic meters of capacity), with other options (and capacities) for open-top containers, flatrack and flatrack collapsible containers, refrigerated (reefer), hicube, and platform containers. See our fact sheet on Container Specifications.

This type of shipment is suitable for smaller quantities of cargo and is where multiple smaller consignments are consolidated into one container. The container fee is shared with other importers on a pro-rata basis, based on the cubic square metres (CBM) of your shipment.

This is suitable for larger quantities of cargo up to a completely full standard container, belonging to one importer. If you have around 13-15 cubic meters of cargo, our freight forwarding team can provide a comparison cost between FCL and LCL shipping. FCL’s can be transported over the entire sea and land journey without the need to be opened.

Also referred to as Out of Gauge (OOG) cargo. For cargo that doesn’t fit into a standard sea container, there are special vessels that are designed to carry:

Breakbulk (LOLO) cargo

Also referred to as lift-on/lift-off cargo, these items are brought to the quay next to the vessels and then loaded on and off by crane as individual units, or in bags, boxes, crates, drums, pallets or barrels. Break bulk cargo usually includes goods such as equipment used in construction, automotive and oil and gas sectors as well as infrastructure machinery, off-shore components, steel slab, steel coil, beams, timber packs, cars, trucks and yachts. Break bulk rates are typically more commercially cost-effective when compared to the cost and time required in disassembling, packing, shipping, unpacking and re-assembly of oversize and overweight cargo.

Roll on / Roll off (RORO) cargo

Refers to wheeled cargo that can be rolled on and off the vessels on their own wheels or using a platform vehicle. For example, cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers and railroad cars. This type of shipment has the same advantage as break bulk cargo in that it is more cost effective than disassembling, packing, shipping, unpacking and re-assembling oversize and overweight cargo.

For containerized transport solutions, special project cargo, roll-on/roll-off, and heavy lift cargo services, speak with the experienced freight forwarders at Rgrantr Logistics to receive advice on the most optimal method of moving your goods.