Container shipping Antwerp to Bilbao
You want to ship a container from Antwerp to Bilbao (ESBIO)? Sea freight is very useful: you can ship heavy cargo for a good price, it’s transparant and it is safe. Transporting a sea container with break bulk or cars and other vehicles is easy with shippinglines like COSCO. When you are exporting, you can choose from many different types of shipping containers. An important distinction is Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Container Load (LCL). Via this website we provide helpful information with a view to international transport Bilbao (ES BIO). We share comprehensive information about the ways in which you can transport cargo by sea. Further on you can read a step-by-step import plan. Send you shipping details and we get you a quote with an attractive price and fast transit time.
- Ocean shipping is a quick, safe and cost-effective way to export or import international containers.
- When you compare it with air shipments, it has a better carbon footprint and it is cheaper.
- Sea freight is excellent for international removals and the transportation of roll on/roll off or factory parts.
- The Port of Bilbao is a popular port in Spain.
- You can choose from the following containers: 20 footers, 40 footers and Flat Rack, Insulated, Dry Van, Tank, Open-Top, Ventilated containers.
Main topics
Shipping to Bilbao (ESBIO) from Antwerp (BEANR)
Ocean freight shipping is the most economical mode of global transportation. Your products are loaded into the container. The middleman (freight forwarder) will book a container. A truck transports the cargo to the shipping vessel at the port of departure Bilbao (ES BIO), and will be shipped overseas to the addressee at the POD (port of destination). You can book various solutions like port-to-port, door-to-port, door-to-door, port-to-port. In the list below you will find practical information about the port of destination.
| Port of departure | Port of Antwerp (BEANR) |
| Country of departure | Belgium |
| Port of destination | Port of Bilbao |
| Country of destination | Spain |
| Port Code | ESBIO |
| Transit Time | +/- 6 days |
| Shipping prices | $ |
| Port address | Muelle de la Ampliacion Santurtzi, Bizkaia 48980 Spain |
| www.bilbaoport.eus | |
| Website | www.bilbaoport.eus |
| Phone | 34944871200 |
Freight Forwarder Antwerp – port of Bilbao
- Select shipment details
Enter the origin of shipment and destination of shipment. Also indicate whether you choose a full container for yourself (FCL) or (LCL) and partial shipments. You can choose from a small or large container (twenty foot, forty foot or a high cube).
- Packing the freight
First of all, make sure your goods are tightly packaged. To transport the cargo in good condition, ensure that your cargo is always placed on pallets. Don’t forget to label the cargo!
- Customs documents and procedures
If you ship goods to Bilbao (ESBIO), you will need up-to-date export documents (for fast customs clearance): commercial invoice, packing declaration, packing list, bill of lading, export/import customs declaration. A Bill of Lading is a standard-form document issued by a Carrier to a Shipper, to confirm that the goods match the description listed on the paperwork and that the freight has been booked correctly.
- Determine the desired Incoterm
Incoterms are relevant terms for worldwide shipping to define the rights and obligations of both the buyer and seller. The agreed Incoterm determines who is responsible for e.g the cost and risk of transportation, insurance, duties payable and clearing customs. The most common incoterms are Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Free On Board (FOB).
- Cargo Track & Trace
Use sea freight tracking to check where your load is right now. You can see in realtime when the load is departed from Port of Loading (POL), arrived at Port of delivery (POD) and when the cargo has reached its desired final destination.
Sea freight from Bilbao (ESBIO) to Antwerp (BEANR): find a container that suits your cargo
You need to ship a container from port of Bilbao – (ES BIO) to port of Antwerp – (BE ANR)? It is crucial to ask an appropriate container. They are available in different sizes (20ft & 40ft) and all kind of container conditions (FCL shipment or LCL shipping). Well-known shipping lines are CMA CGM, Evergreen, K Line, MSC, ZIM. Major towns near the seaport are Bilbao, Erandio, Sestao, Arrigorriaga, Portugalete, Sopelana, Llodio, Bermeo, Durango, Amurrio, Castro-Urdiales, Ermúa, Éibar, Ondárroa, Elgóibar, Plasencia, Laredo, Santoña, Vitoria, Zumárraga. In the section below we put everything together and offer information about the most common sizes and types. Check also more information about Bulk Containers.
Important specifications of the 20 foot container
20 FT containers (sometimes also called dry van) is the most commonly used and most commonly available size. They are easy to stack, which ensures low handling costs. Widely used for transporting furniture or international removals. Nice to know: 1 Teu means Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit.
- This box is widely used for transporting cargo via the ocean.
- A 20-foot container is described in terms of size as: 6,06 x 2,44 x 2,59.
- A 20’ft container can hold eleven pallets.
- You must take into account a maximum permitted weight of +/- 27.900 kilogram.
Explanation of the 40 ft container
The 40 foot container is the big brother of the 20 foot model. Te 40ft is twice as big as the more standard 20ft. This makes it very economical for shipping large cargo by sea. Good to know: people can also opt for the 40 foot container ‘high cube’ deal. It is about one foot taller than a normal box. Stuff can be stacked high.
- Taller and bulkier than the standard containers.
- The dimensions are the same internationally: 12.025m long x 2.352m wide x 2.393m high.
- It allows the transport of up to 28 pallets.
- In terms of goods, there is a weight limit of +/- 28.700 kilogram.
Ocean freight calculator: get shipping rates
Get instant prices from several major shipping lines worldwide
What is the meaning of FCL container?
If your cargo is so large that you can fill an entire container, then it is usually better to book a full container. Freight forwarders then refer to it as FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t need to share your container with anyone else. There are many advantages to it: It allows for a faster transit time, less potential for damage and it’s more cost-effective. Important to mention: it is unsuitable for small goods exporters and less convenient delivery options. Have your cargo depart from another port? See also Rotterdam to Bilbao (ESBIO) and Hamburg to Bilbao (ESBIO).
- The goal of FCL is that you temporarily own a complete container.
- Suitable for as many small items on pallets as large goods.
- Recommended for shipments from 15 m3.
- Available at: e.g. CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, Maersk, COSCO.
When do i need a Less than container Load (LCL)?
If your cargo does not fill an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container, your goods will be shipped with other cargo. Transport organizations describe that as Less Than Container Load (LCL). The premise of LCL is that you just pay for the amount of space used in a single container. You consciously opt for various benefits such as: you pay only for the volume you need, reduces the costs of keeping a high inventory of goods stored and lower sourcing risk. Worth mentioning: when you ship enough volume to fill more than half a container, it is often cheaper to book a full container. The cost of the shipment is determined by volume, usually in cubic meters (CBM).
- What we mean by LCL is that your cargo is transported in a partial container.
- Cost effective for shipments between 2 m3 & 13 m3.
- Freight costs are typically based on cargo volume.
- There is always sufficient availability (every season).
- Available at: e.g. POL, ZIM, Evergreen, HMM, Yang Ming.
Other container types for special loads
There exist a lot of box-types for the international transport of your cargo by sea. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The Dry Van is most commonly used in maritime transport. There are specially developed transport options for oils, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish or very exclusive stuff. We give a short explanation below. Be sure to check out the transport options to FreeContainer Port (BSFPO), port of Tripoli (LBKYE), Civitavecchia (ITCVV) harbor and terminal Accra (GHACC).
- Bulk Containers: very suitable for dry bulk goods such as wheat, rice and corn.
- Flat Rack Containers: it is flat and cargo can be loaded either from the sides or from the top.
- Hard-Top Containers: special roof makes it fairly easier to load and unload the cargo through forklift.
- High-Cube Containers: are used to carry lightweight, high volume cargo (with extra height).
- Insulated Containers: ideal for bulk shipping and temporary storage of mixed products.
- Open-Top Containers: enables oversized cargo such as timber and scrap metal to be loaded from the top.
- Palletwide Containers: are non-standard, uncommon containers with varying dimensions.
- Refrigerated Containers: a reefer is capable of refrigeration for the transportation of temperature-sensitive and perishable cargo.
- Tank Containers: are barrel-shaped vessels serving multi-purposes.
- Ventilated Containers: for cargoes that require ventilation in transit.
Important types of ocean cargo: What do you want to ship?
Exporting cargo by sea from Antwerp (BEANR) to Bilbao (ESBIO) has many benefits: attractive prices, it is great for transporting bulky goods and it is much more environmentally friendly than air freight. Relevant ocean cargo categories exported via sea lines are: liquid bulk, roll on/roll off, containerized, neo bulk, break bulk. Below we explain some goods/cargo.
- Car shipping: have your vehicle shipped to an international port.
- House Moving: get your private goods shipped for relocation.
- Removals (Household Goods): your household effects are shipped in a fast and secure manner.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. gasoline, hydrogen, chemicals, kerosene, biofuels, diesel.
- Dry Bulk: iron ore, coal, grain and things like sugar, rods, cement, lumber.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): a type of shipping that is used for transporting things such as vehicles.
- Breakbulk: For the transport of cargo that don’t fit in standard-size shipping containers or cargo bins.
- Retail & other: items like toys, clothes, art and antiques, sports equipment, electronic goods & fashion, furniture, food, drinks, machines.
All about international transport (FAQ)
Shipping a container from Antwerp (BE) to Bilbao takes about 6 days. The total distance is approx. 1650 nautical miles. That is about 3056 km. In case of sea freight, you have to take into account 2 important values (ETD and ETA). ETD means the Estimated Time Of Departure. ETA is the date that the shipment arrives in the destination country. The shipping time is determined on the basis of draft and speed, wind force and direction and type of shipment.
Shipping rates from Antwerp (Belgium) to Bilbao (Spain) are relatively cheap. The total cost depends on various parts such as cargo type, the total distance to the delivery destination and freight forwarder handling fees. Fill in the request form for a completely free, no-obligation quote today.
When shipping goods to Bilbao, then you must have the administration in order for customs clearance. The following documents are important: Certificate of Origin, Bill of Lading, Insurance Certificate, Import/export Licenses, Letter of Credit, Commercial Invoice. For more detailed information you can contact the customs of Spain or visit the website of the port / gouvernment (www.bilbaoport.eus).
Incoterms define who is responsible for each phase of shipping process. The most commonly used Incoterms are CIF and FOB. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means the exporter is responsible for the cost and freight of bringing the goods to the required port. With Free on Board (FOB), we mean that the seller must arrange everything regarding the goods until they are on the vessel at the outbound port. Other popular Incoterms 2000 are: Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Free Carrier (FCA), Free Alongside Ship (FAS), Carriage Paid To (CPT) + Cost and Freight (CFR), Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP), Delivered At Place (DAP).