What is container haulage?
Container haulage is a cargo container transportation option offered by many transportation companies. Containers are loaded onto trucks, trains, ships, or planes and transported to their destination. Because of its cost-effectiveness, this is a preferred method of transporting large items.
Container haulage generally offers a lower cost than other methods of cargo transportation, making it an attractive option for companies looking to transport large items. In addition, container haulage is faster and more efficient than other methods, making it a popular choice for time-sensitive shipments. With this in mind, let’s look at the 6 benefits of container haulage.
Standardisation
Perhaps the most obvious advantage is that containers are a standard measurement unit recognised and utilised in all countries around the world. This makes transporting goods via container ship, truck, barge, or wagon much easier than relying on personal modes of transportation.
Another advantage of containers is that they are very efficient. Each container has a unique identification number and a size type code, making it a separate transport unit that can be managed. Logistics and transport are now easier and more efficient, which is good news for all involved in the supply chain.
Overall, containers offer a safe, standardised, and efficient way to transport goods around the world. This makes them an essential tool for businesses and individuals involved.
Affordability
Containers are the units that document all of the goods it transports to a specific point or location. This eliminates the need for additional inspection throughout travel, allowing them to arrive at their destination faster.
Most containers that are bound to be transported by large cargo ships have their details and information plastered on the outside, allowing the contents of that container to be identified.
Because these containers will be travelling all around the world, there needs to be a standard delivery process and a standard cost too. This helps with the affordability aspect because it should be a suitable enough cost that all businesses, regardless of countries and state, can manage.
Warehousing
Containerisation has numerous advantages for consumers and producers of goods.
Containers act as warehouses, securing the cargo they hold. This makes containerised cargo packaging cheaper and more straightforward, particularly for consumer goods.
Containers stack easily on ships, trains (double stacking), and the ground, giving passengers a net advantage. With the correct equipment, container yards can improve stacking volume. This is especially beneficial for producers who wish to transport large quantities of goods at once.
Containers can be easily transported by road, rail, or sea, providing producers with greater flexibility in how they choose to transport their goods.
Velocity
Container ships have transformed the shipping industry by allowing for rapid and minimal transhipment. As a result, ship port turnaround time has decreased from three weeks to 24 hours. This is a big advantage for transport chains involving containers, as they can now be much shorter.
Several container shipping networks have well-established connections that allow shipping options to expand. This is excellent news for businesses that rely on container shipping, as it should make transport much quicker and easier.
Security
Shipping containers provide the best protection for goods. This is because once all the goods are loaded into the container, it is sealed completely.
This prevents foreign objects from entering the container, especially if the contents are raw materials or food.
It is an effective method of maintaining the quality of the goods even in bad weather—also a way to protect cargo from temperatures, theft, and other hazards while in transit. Most containers are sturdy, durable metal frames to protect their contents from deterioration, loss, and theft.
Flexibility
Containers have revolutionised the way goods are transported around the world. They are highly versatile and can be used to transport a wide range of goods, including commodities (coal, wheat), manufactured goods, cars, and perishable objects. There are different types of containers designed specifically for dry cargo, liquids (oil and chemical products), and refrigerated freight. Discarded containers can be recycled and reused for other purposes.
The use of containers has made it possible to move large quantities of goods quickly and efficiently around the globe. Container ships can now carry more cargo than ever, and the standardised size of containers means that they can be easily loaded and unloaded at port. This has made international trade faster and more efficient.
Why choose Forest Freight for container haulage?
As a result of our proximity to London Gateway, our container delivery service is efficient, fast and affordable. We have a vast, versatile fleet and experience that will assist you in avoiding driver shortages.
We pride ourselves on being able to offer a first-class service. With over 60 specialised vehicles in our fleet, we’re ready to deliver your goods where they need to be. For high-quality container delivery from London Gateway, speak to the experts and we’ll make it happen.