Container shipping Hamburg to Colombo
Would you like to ship a container from Hamburg to Colombo (LKCMB)? Sea freight has many pluses: large items can be shipped for competitive rates, it’s convenient and it is trustworthy. Transporting a container by sea with liquids or cars and other vehicles can be facilitated by shippinglines like Zhonggu Logistics Corporation. Freight forwarders offer a lot of container-types. You have to choose between full containers (FCL) and (LCL) and partial shipments. Via our freight forwarders we offer useful information about international transport Colombo (LK CMB). We get you comprehensive information about how to choose a suitable container for your freight. For this we offer a 5 step export plan. Send us your details and you will get a competitive quote with an attractive price and fast transit time.
- Ocean shipping is a quick, trouble-free and relatively cheap way to ship heavy and bulky goods.
- Compared to air transport, you have lower costs and more time for document processing.
- Sea freight is suitable for worldwide movings and the transit of liquids or factory parts.
- The Port of Colombo is a much-chosen harbor in Sri Lanka.
- The most commonly used containers are: 20 footers, 40 footers and Flat Rack, Hard-Top, Insulated, Ventilated, Refrigerated, Open-Top containers.
Subjects
Shipping to Colombo (LKCMB) from Hamburg (DEHAM)
Ocean freight shipping is a cost-effective option to ship goods internationally. Your cargo is put on a container with pellets. The freight forwarder will arrange the container. A truck transports the cargo to the shipping vessel at the port of departure (POD) Colombo (LK CMB), and will be shipped over the sea to the recipient at the POD. They offer solutions like port-to-port, door-to-port, door-to-door, port-to-port. In the table below we share important information about the POD (Port Of Destination).
| Port of departure | Port of Hamburg (DEHAM) |
| Country of departure | Germany |
| Port of destination | Port of Colombo |
| Country of destination | Sri Lanka |
| Port Code | LKCMB |
| Transit Time | +/- 33 days |
| Shipping costs | $$$ |
| Local address | No. 19, Chaithya Road, P. O. Box 59, Colombo 01, Sri Lanka |
| info@slpa.lk | |
| Website | www.slpa.lk |
| Telephone number | 94-112421201 |
Freight Forwarder Hamburg – port of Colombo
- Details of your shipping
Enter the port of origin (POO) and the POD. Decide how you want to export: (FCL) full containers or a shared container (LCL). Also select the desired size (20-foot, 40-foot, or a 40-foot high cube).
- Prepare your package
Firstly, make sure the freight is packed securely. To prevent damage, ensure that your cargo is always placed on pallets. Make sure your cargo is labelled correctly.
- Customs documents and procedures
When you transport your cargo to Colombo (LKCMB), you should think about several export documents (for the national customs): packing declaration, export/import customs declaration, commercial invoice, bill of lading, certificates of origin. A Bill of Lading is a legal document provided by a carrier to a shipper to acknowledge that they have received the goods and that the load is prepared for shipping.
- Incoterms for transport
Incoterms are suitable terms in the transport-market to define responsibility and liability for shipment of the goods. The Incoterm determines who assumes the risk of, for example, shipment, insurance, documentation and customs clearance. Widely used incoterms are Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Ex Works (EXW).
- Cargo Track & Trace
Use the track and trace service to see where your freight is at this moment. You can check the status when the vessel is registered at the POO (port of load), arrived at Port of Destination (POD) and when the cargo was transported to the ultimate recipient.
Sea freight from Colombo (LKCMB) to Hamburg (DEHAM): select the container that suits the freight
Would you like to ship a container from port of Colombo – (LK CMB) to port of Hamburg – (DE HAM)? It is highly recommended to book the right container for your cargo. You can choose from large and small sizes (twenty foot, forty foot) and different ways to fill a container (FCL shipment or LCL shipping). Some main shipping lines are APL, CMA CGM, Evergreen, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, K Line, Maersk, MOL, MSC, NYK, OOCL, ZIM. Major towns near the seaport are Colombo, Kolonnawa, Hendala, Peliyagoda, Kelaniya, Kotte, Wattala, Kotikawatta, Battaramulla, Mulleriyawa, Ragama, Maharagama, Kandana, Moratuwa, Homagama, Gampaha, Katunayaka, Minuwangoda, Negombo, Horana. In the text box below we help you choose the right type and provide info about the most commonly seen options for sea freight. You can also click through to our page about Bulk Containers.
Advantages of a 20 FT container
20 foot containers (also known under the name dry van) is the most common and available size. They are easy to stack, so the transport costs are quite low. Particularly suitable for the transport of personal effects and international removals. Nice to know: A TEU is a standard container with a length of 20 feet.
- One of the most rented boxes for shipping freight by sea.
- A 20-foot container know the following size description: 5.90m x 2,35m x 2,39m.
- Usually, 9-11 pallets are able to fit in one TEU.
- The maximum allowable load is +/- 27.800 kg.
Explanation of the 40 foot container
In addition to the small one, there is also a larger 40 foot container. You can pack a lot of cargo in this. This makes it an excellent choice for transporting large loads by sea. Also, people can also opt for the 40 foot container ‘high cube’ version. You have more height at your disposal. Stuff can be stacked high.
- Used for dry freight of all kinds.
- The dimensions are as follows: 12,0 x 2,4 x 2,3 m.
- It allows the transport of up to 28 pallets.
- Important: maximum load weight of +/- 28.600 kg.
Ocean freight calculator: get the latest shipping rates
Compare rates from different major shipping lines
Full Container (FCL)
If you want to ship a lot of cargo, than you can reserve your own full container. Within the logistics sector this is called FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t need to share it with other merchandise. It is a popular transport method: faster transit time, chance of damage is reduced to a minimum and you pay lower price per unit. There are of course also drawbacks: it is unsuitable for small goods exporters and unloading can be a hassle. Transporting cargo from another port? Also see Antwerp to Colombo (LKCMB) and Rotterdam to Colombo (LKCMB).
- The premise of FCL is that the container only holds your cargo.
- Ideal for cargo with tight delivery schedules.
- It is cheaper when the shipment uses more than 10 pallets.
- Available at: e.g. COSCO, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, MSC.
Details about Less than container (LCL)
If your cargo does not fill an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container, inquire about the possibilities for a shared container. Transport specialists call this Less Than Container Load (LCL). The goal of LCL is that you share space with others. You consciously opt for various benefits such as: for smaller loads, it is way cheaper than a full container, reduces the costs of keeping a high inventory of goods stored and it is faster during peak-season. Notable: if your shipment takes up more than half a container, then FCL is a better choice. LCL shipping charges are generally computed based on the volume and weight of the packages.
- The meaning of LCL is: your cargo is shipped in a partial container.
- Cost effective for shipments between 3,5 m3 – 13 m3.
- Deal for cargo that does not fill the entire container.
- There is always sufficient availability (every season).
- Available at: e.g. ZIM, POL, Yang Ming, Wan Hai, Evergreen.
Other types of containers and customization
The range of boxes is very diverse for international cargo shipping. Each type of cargo has its own characteristics and methods. The most popular version is of course the Dry van. Special boxes are also being used for oils or chemicals, flowers, fruit or other special goods. Below you will find all common types in 1 overview. You can also read more information about shipments to Maputo (MZMPM), port of Shannon (IEFOV), Keelung (TWKEL) harbor and terminal Sines (PTSIE).
- Bulk Containers: used to ship a broad range of dry cargo like like grain and ore.
- Flat Rack Containers: a flat rack only has walls or support post on the ends.
- Hard-Top Containers: the walls are generally made of corrugated steel.
- High-Cube Containers: perfect for large, oversized, tall, and bulky items.
- Insulated Containers: for transporting goods with the need of low temperature for a short distance.
- Open-Top Containers: e.g. for Machinery require space for their tops to stick out.
- Palletwide Containers: the ideal type for transporting many euro pallets.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers maintain a stable temperature inside.
- Tank Containers: for the transport of all types of bulk liquid by rail, road and sea.
- Ventilated Containers: passive (naturally) ventilated or coffee containers.
Cargo types: what do you want to transport by sea?
Shipping load by sea from Hamburg (DEHAM) to Colombo (LKCMB) has lots of advantages: attractive prices, you can ship easily big and high volume cargo and much more environmentally friendly than e.g. air freight. The most important ocean cargo shipped via sea routes are: roll on/roll off, dry bulk, liquid bulk, neo bulk, break bulk. You can read more about it in the section below.
- Car shipping: a professional company ships your vehicle internationally.
- House Moving: solid help and assistance for relocation.
- Removals (Household Goods): your household effects are shipped precisely and neatly.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. hydrogen, kerosene, diesel, petroleum, gasoline, biofuels.
- Dry Bulk: grain, iron ore, grain and sand, coils, rods, salt.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): the vessel is designed so that vehicles or loads can be entered straight by rolling.
- Breakbulk: consists of goods transported, stored and handled piecemeal to some degree.
- Retail & other: items like art and antiques, electronic goods, clothes, toys, sports equipment & drinks, furniture, food, shoes, fashion.
FAQ: current topics around international transport
Shipping a container from Hamburg (DE) to Colombo takes on average 33 days. The distance to be covered is about 7800 nautical miles (M). That equates to 14446 kilometers. When you send something by sea, you will have to deal with ETD and ETA. ETD means the Estimated Time Of Departure. ETA It is the date and time that the vessel has been scheduled to arrive into port. The exact shipping time depends on vessel speed, wind force and wind direction and berth availability.
Shipping rates from Hamburg (Germany) to Colombo (Sri Lanka) are slightly above average. The total cost is subject to various factors such as cargo weight, period of the year and freight forwarder handling fees. Please contact us for additional information, transit time and current rates.
When sending goods to Colombo, then the customs clearance will also pass. Exporters need to include the following documents with their goods: Import/export Licenses, Packing List, Insurance Certificate, Commercial Invoice, Certificate of Origin, Bill of Lading. For more information about these duties please contact the customs of Sri Lanka or check the official website for more info (www.slpa.lk).
The Incoterms decide which party will cover insurance fees for the shipment. Common sea freight incoterms are CIF and FOB. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) means the exporting party is responsible for all the costs up to and including the ocean freight to the destination port of the buyer’s choosing. Free on Board (FOB) includes: the seller takes care of the goods until they are loaded on a shipping vessel. One can also choose from one of the alternative Incoterms 2000: Carriage Paid To (CPT), Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Ex Works (EXW), Free Carrier (FCA) and Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP), Delivered At Place (DAP).