Container shipping Antwerp to Tacoma

Subjects

• Shipment to harbor Tacoma from Antwerp (Belgium)
• Tutorial: Export a container abroad in December 2024
• Choose your container
  • Specifications of a twenty foot container
  • Details of a 40 FT container
  • Information about Full Container (FCL)
  • The benefits of (LCL) Less than container
  • What other types of containers are there
• Major Types of Cargo Transported by Sea
• FAQ: everything you need to know about international transport

Explanation about a 20 ft container

Twenty Foot Containers (sometimes also called dry van) is the most common container worldwide. They are easy to load, access, and handle, which means they are cheaper to ship. Particularly suitable for the transport of personal items and removals. Nice to know: A TEU stands for Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit.

• This box offers a solution for the shipment of goods in ocean freight.
• The dimensions of a 20-foot container are: 6058mm x 2438mm x 2891mm.
• It can hold between 9 and 11 pallets.
• The maximum load is about +/- 27.700 kg.

Important specifications of the forty foot container

In addition to the small one, there is also a larger 40 foot container. They can carry far more cargo at once. This makes it a very popular choice for shipping large volumes of cargo. Moreover, you can also choose a higher ‘high cube’ choice. They are 1 foot higher than a regular container. This way cargo can be stacked high.

• Taller and bulkier than the standard containers.
• The dimensions of a 40-foot container are: 12,2 x 2,44 x 2,59 meter.
• Up to 23 Europallets can be stuffed in a 40′ container.
• Pay attention to the weight limit of +/- 28.700 kg.

Full Container (FCL)

When you need a lot of container space, then you better book an exclusive private full container. Within the logistics sector this is called FCL (Full Container Load). There is no need to share it with other shippers. This has multiple advantages: efficient transit time, limited damage risk and the rates are more favorable. You have to pay attention to a few things: it is unsuitable for small goods exporters and unloading can be a hassle. Do you want to send items from another port? Check also Rotterdam to Tacoma (USTIW) or Hamburg to Tacoma (USTIW).

• The meaning of FCL is: an exporter is fully booking one or more shipping containers.
• Suitable for as many small items on pallets as large goods.
• Economically viable when the shipment occupies 15 m3 or more.
• Available at: e.g. Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO, MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk.

In which situations do I choose an LCL container?

If you don’t prefer a full container, aks our freight forwarders to possibilities for a shared container. Logistics experts treat that as a LCL (Less Than Container Load) agreement. The goal of LCL is that you share space with others. The advantages of this option include: it’s perfect for shipping small loads, less inventory costs & management and it is faster during peak-season. Important: if 50% of the container consists of your goods, then you better go for FCL. The cost of LCL is based on the dimensions and weight of the cargo.

• LCL Means that means that you reserve space in a partial container.
• Ideal for transport volumes between 2,5 m3 and 15 m3.
• Freight costs are typically based on cargo volume.
• Easier to find space during peak season.
• Available at: e.g. POL, Evergreen, Wan Hai, HMM, ZIM.

What other types of containers are there

You can choose from many types of boxes for transporting your cargo. Each type of cargo requires a different approach. The Dry van is the variant that most people will recognize. There are also special possibilities for oil or petroleum, onions, potatoes, vegetables or very expensive items. You can read more about it below. Be sure to check out the transport options to Portsmouth (USPTM), port of Bangkok Modern Terminal (THBMT), Jebel Ali (AEJEA) harbor and terminal Sudan (SDPZU).

Kind of cargo: what kind of stuff are you going to ship?

Exporting goods by sea from Antwerp (BEANR) to Tacoma (USTIW) has many benefits: you can ship large volumes at low costs, high sea vessel load capacity and it is much more environmentally friendly than air freight. Relevant ocean cargo categories imported via sea shipping includes: dry bulk, containerized, break bulk, roll on/roll off, neo bulk. Below we explain some goods/cargo.

• Car shipping: transport your vehicle to the other side of the world.
• House Moving: get your private goods shipped for relocation.
• Removals (Household Goods): have your household effects transported with great care.
• Liquid Bulk: e.g. gasoline, hydrogen, kerosene, petroleum, chemicals, diesel.
• Dry Bulk: iron ore, coal, grain and things like sugar, lumber, coils, sand.
• Roll on Roll off (RORO): vessel type used for the transportation of cars and other automobiles.
• Breakbulk: ships carrying break-bulk cargo are often called general cargo ships.
• Retail & other: load like toys, medical/pharmacy, electronic goods, clothes, sports equipment and shoes, drinks, fashion, food, furniture.