Container shipping Rotterdam to Alicante
Do you need to ship a container from Rotterdam to Alicante Port (ESALC)? Sea freight has many advantages: it is suitable to ship large volumes for low prices, you have low maintenance costs and containers can also be used for further transportation by road or rail. Transporting a sea container with ro-ro or equipment is very easy with e.g. Ocean Network Express (ONE). You can choose from different types of containers. Shipping by sea is primarily divided into two types: Full Container Load (FCL) and (LCL) Less Container Load. Via our portal you will find practical information regarding international transport Alicante (ES ALC). We share practical information about the different types of sea containers. On this website you can read a step-by-step export plan. Send you shipping details and we will send a quote with the best rates and fastest transit times.
- Ocean shipping is a professional, trustworthy and cost-effective way to ship your goods to anywhere in the world.
- When you compare it with air shipments, you have lower costs and more time for document processing.
- Sea freight provides services for worldwide movings and importing dry bulk or equipment.
- The Port of Alicante is an important logistics artery in Spain.
- You can choose from many types and sizes of containers: standaard 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 HC and Dry Van, Insulated, Hard-Top, Open-Top, Tank, Ventilated containers.
Main themes
Shipping to Alicante Port (ESALC) from Rotterdam (NLRTM)
Ocean freight shipping is a cost-effective solution for shipping goods across the seas internationally. Your cargo is stored in shipping containers. The freight forwarder (intermediary) sends the location details to you. A shipping vessel will be ready for your goods at the port of origin (POO) Alicante (ES ALC), and will be shipped over the ocean to the agent at the POD. They offer solutions like port-to-port, door-to-port, door-to-door, port-to-port. In the table below you will find important information about the port of destination.
| Port of departure | Port of Rotterdam (NLRTM) |
| Country of departure | Netherlands |
| Port of destination | Port of Alicante |
| Country of destination | Spain |
| Port Code | ESALC |
| Transit Time | +/- 7 days |
| Shipping costs | $ |
| Port address | Muelle de Poniente, 11, Alicante, Alicante 03001, Spain |
| a.portuaria@puertoalicante.com | |
| Website | www.puertoalicante.com/ |
| Phone number | 34965130095 |
Freight Forwarder Rotterdam – port of Alicante
- Freight Details
Enter the port of departure and the POD. Also indicate whether you choose a full container for yourself (FCL) or a shared container (LCL). Also choose the desired format (20-foot, 40-foot, or a 40-foot high cube).
- Loading the freight
First of all, you need to make sure your load is packed correctly. To ensure that the cargo remains in good condition, we advise you to use pallets. Don’t forget to label the cargo!
- Customs Documentation for Exporters
If you want to send cargo to Alicante Port (ESALC), please pay attention to the necessary required export documents (to the national customs): commercial invoice, bill of lading, export/import customs declaration, packing declaration, certificates of origin. A Bill of Lading is a standard-form document signed by the carrier describing the correct state of goods and confirm that the items are well packed for shipment.
- Agree on the conditions (Incoterms)
An incoterm is a set of rules to agree on the most important contractual terms and obligations for global trade. The Incoterm shows who is responsible for e.g shipment, insurance, documentation and customs clearance. Widely used incoterms are Ex Works (EXW), Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Free On Board (FOB).
- Cargo Track & Trace
Use cargo tracking to check where your shipping is at this moment. You can get a sms or mail when the freight has been departed from Port of Loading, has arrived at the destination (POD) and when the cargo has reached its desired final destination.
Sea freight from Alicante Port (ESALC) to Rotterdam (NLRTM): pick your container
You need to ship a container from port of Alicante – (ES ALC) to port of Rotterdam – (NL RTM)? Make sure you pick the right container type. There are smaller and bigger boxes (20 ft, 40 ft) and different container specifications (LCL shipping or FCL shipping). Several shipping lines operate on this route. The port has a good connection with surrounding cities. In the following summary you will find extensive information and advice about the most popular boxes. We are happy to provide you with more information about Piano transport.
Information and benefits of 20 FT container
20. ft. containers (which is a standard dry van) is the most commonly used and most commonly available size. They are easy to stack, so the transport costs are quite low. Suitable for all types of cargo, including personal effects or international removals. Keep in mind: 1 TEU is the indication for 1 20 foot container.
- This box is often used for shipping freight by sea.
- The size of a 20-foot container is: 5.90m x 2,35m x 2,39m.
- Usually, 9-11 pallets are able to fit in one TEU.
- The maximum load is about +/- 27.400 kg.
Specifications of a 40 foot container
The 40-foot container is identical to the 20-foot container, but once the size. You can pack a lot of cargo in this. It is especially intended for transporting large loads by sea. What you may not know: there exist a bigger and higher ‘high cube’ choice. This is one foot taller than a regular 40 ft. Ideal if you have high cargo.
- Very popular with large and bulky goods.
- The dimensions of a 40-foot container are: L 12.19m x W 2.44m x H 2.59m.
- The FEU can hold between 20 and 24 pallets.
- Important: maximum load weight of +/- 28.700 kilogram.
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(FCL) Full Container
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). You don’t need to share your container with anyone else. The advantages are great: optimal transit time, a smaller chance of damage to the freight and you pay lower price per unit. Of course there are also downsides: it is not suitable for small cargo and unloading can be a hassle. Transporting cargo from another port? Also see Antwerp to Alicante Port (ESALC) and Hamburg to Alicante Port (ESALC).
- The concept of FCL is that the container only holds your cargo.
- Suitable for as many small items on pallets as large goods.
- For shipments that are larger than 10 CBM.
- Available at: e.g. ONE, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd.
What does LCL container mean in shipping?
If your cargo does not fill an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container, it is often a good idea to pick a shared container. Transport specialists call this Less Than Container Load (LCL). The concept of LCL is that multiple shippers’ goods are packed together. You benefit from many advantages: you will share all costs with the other suppliers, you can save on inventory costs and it is more flexible during peak-times. Important: if you have a cargo load that is more than half a container unit, it is often cheaper to book a full container. The cost of LCL is based on the volume in m3 and the weight of the freight.
- LCL means that your cargo is shipped in a partial container.
- Ideal for transport volumes between 3 m3 – 14 m3.
- Deal for cargo that does not fill the entire container.
- Wide availability in all months of the year.
- Available at: e.g. Yang Ming, Wan Hai, POL, Evergreen, HMM.
Various other types of containers
You can choose from many types of boxes for shipping your cargo. Shipping companies offer a suitable solution for every cargo type. The most popular version is of course the Dry van. Special boxes are also being used for liquid bulk, flour, coffee or cocoa or other special goods. We give a short explanation below. You can also check more information about shipping to Novorossiysk (RUNVS), port of Nelson (NZNSN), Hachinohe (JPHHE) harbor and terminal Elizabeth (ZAPLZ).
- Bulk Containers: used for transport of foodstuffs or bulk such as as grain, feedstuffs, spices.
- 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: perfect for large, oversized, tall, and bulky items.
- Insulated Containers: are often used in the retail market (extra dry & great stable temperature).
- Open-Top Containers: for the transportation of goods like glass and marble blocks.
- Palletwide Containers: ideal for transporting euro pallets.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers are ideal for moving temperature-sensitive cargo.
- Tank Containers: for the transport of liquids, gases and powders as bulk cargo.
- Ventilated Containers: passive (naturally) ventilated or coffee containers.
Cargo types: what are you going to transport?
Importing goods by sea from Rotterdam (NLRTM) to Alicante (ESALC) is very popular because of attractive tariffs, it is effective for large quantities of goods and it’s better for the environment than air freight. Relevant ocean cargo categories imported via sea shipping includes: roll on/roll off, containerized, dry bulk, liquid bulk, break bulk. You will find all the information in the box below.
- Car shipping: transport your vehicle to the other side of the world.
- House Moving: your belongings will be safe and secured with international relocation.
- Removals (Household Goods): your household effects are shipped in a fast and secure manner.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. hydrogen, biofuels, diesel, chemicals, kerosene, gasoline.
- Dry Bulk: coal, grain, iron ore and cement, rods, lumber, sugar.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): the vessel is designed so that vehicles or loads can be entered straight by rolling.
- Breakbulk: small containers of freight are unloaded from pallets and packed into the ship’s hold.
- Retail & other: goods like clothes, medical/pharmacy, sports equipment, electronic goods, art and antiques or food, drinks, fashion, shoes, machines.
FAQ: current topics around international transport
Shipping a container from Rotterdam (NL) to Alicante takes approx 7 days. The distance between the two ports is about 1700 nautical miles. That is about 3148 km. When you send something by sea, you have to pay close attention to ETD and ETA. ETD stands for Estimated time of departure of the ship or truck. ETA means the expected date of arrival of an ocean carrier. Shipping time varies from case to case and depends on factors such as: condition of the hull, weather conditions and type of cargo.
Shipping rates from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Alicante (Spain) are relatively cheap. The final invoice amount is determined by important aspects like cargo weight, shipping time and the Incoterms you have agreed on. Request a quote without obligation for current rates and transit times.
When transporting goods to Alicante, then there are some important customs clearance documents. The following documents are needed for the customs handling procedure: Packing List, Insurance Certificate, Bill of Lading, Letter of Credit, Certificate of Origin, Commercial Invoice. If you are not sure whether you will be charged extra or not, then we advise you to contact the customs of Spain or take a look at the website (www.puertoalicante.com/).
Incoterms describe the roles of the buyer and the seller in an international trade agreement. For transport by ship we usually use CIF and FOB. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means the seller takes care of transportation and insurance to the destination port of the buyer’s choosing. The meaning of Free on Board (FOB) is the seller must arrange everything regarding the goods until they are on the vessel at the outbound port. There are additionally more Incoterms 2000 like Carriage Paid To (CPT), Free Carrier (FCA), Ex Works (EXW), Free Alongside Ship (FAS) and Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP), Cost and Freight (CFR).