Container shipping Rotterdam to East London
Do you need to ship a container from Rotterdam to East London (ZAELS)? Sea freight is a convenient transport solution: you can ship many goods for an attractive price, it is economical and it is safe. Transporting a container by sea with break bulk or furniture can be outsourced to e.g. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). When you want to forward a container, you can choose from many different types of shipping containers. Shipping by sea is primarily divided into two types: Full Container Load (FCL) and a container with combined cargo (LCL). Via our transport agents we provide you with lots of practical information regarding international transport East London (ZA ELS). You will find inside-information about the different types and ways of sea freight. You will also find a practical step-by-step plan. Describe what you want to transport and we will send a quote with an attractive price and fast transit time.
- Ocean shipping is a very popular, safe and low cost-way to ship heavy and bulky goods.
- When we compare this to air freight, it offers more capacity and value.
- Sea freight is ideal for worldwide relocations and carrying container cargo or personal goods.
- The Port of East London offers excellent transit options in South Africa.
- You can choose from the following containers: standaard 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 HC and Dry Van, Flat Rack, Hard-Top, Ventilated, Tank, Open-Top containers.
Index
Shipping to East London (ZAELS) from Rotterdam (NLRTM)
Ocean freight shipping is the process of shipping goods by sea using containers. Your goods are put on a container with pellets. Your freight forwarder will arrange the container. The cargo is transported by truck to the shipping vessel at the port of East London (ZA ELS), and will be shipped by ocean to the consignee at the arrival port. You can choose for: port-to-port, door-to-port, port-to-door or door-to-door. In the table below we share important information about the port of discharge.
| Port of departure | Port of Rotterdam (NLRTM) |
| Country of departure | Netherlands |
| Port of destination | Port of East London |
| Country of destination | South Africa |
| Port Code | ZAELS |
| Transit Time | +/- 31 days |
| Shipping costs | $$ |
| Local address | P O Box 101, East London 5200, South Africa |
| south-africa@containershippingservice.com | |
| Website | www.transnetnationalportsauthority.net |
| Telephone number | 437002300 |
Freight Forwarder Rotterdam – port of East London
- Cargo details
Enter the port of departure and the arrival harbour. Decide if you will ship a full container just for your freight (FCL) or LCL (Less than Container Load). You also choose the size of the container (twenty foot, forty foot or a high cube).
- Loading and labeling the freight
To start with, your load need to be prepared in the right way. To limit damage, we advise you to use pallets. Also make sure you have good labels.
- Common Export Documents
In the situations that you export cargo to East London (ZAELS), you will have to provide relevant export documents (for fast customs clearance): packing list, packing declaration, export/import customs declaration, bill of lading, commercial invoice. A Bill of Lading is a document or electronic invoice that is completed by a carrier describing the correct state of goods and confirm that the items are well packed for shipment.
- Determine the transfer of risk (Incoterm)
Incoterms are relevant for traders to define the seller’s and buyer’s responsibilities. The Incoterm states who is responsible for, for example, the cost and risk of transportation, insurance, duties payable and clearing customs. Popular incoterms are Ex Works (EXW), Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), Free On Board (FOB).
- Track your cargo
Use cargo and container tracking to check where your cargo is at this moment. You can see in realtime when the load is loaded at the POL (port of origin), arrived at the port of arrival (POD) and when the carrier arrived at the final location.
Sea freight from East London (ZAELS) to Rotterdam (NLRTM): choose container
Would you like to ship a container from port of East London – (ZA ELS) to port of Rotterdam – (NL RTM)? The first step is to pick the right container type. You can choose from large and small sizes (20-ft, 40-ft) and different container specifications (LCL shipping or FCL shipping). Many international shipping lines operate this route. Your cargo can be quickly transported to surrounding cities. In the section below you will find extensive information and advice about the most popular types in the maritime industry. You may also like: Shipping lines.
Information and benefits of 20 ft container
20 FT containers (some people call it dry van) is the most commonly used and most commonly available size. It’s a very common and efficient size, which ensures low handling costs. Suitable for different kinds of storage including personal items and international removals. What you might not know: TEU is equal to 1 20 Foot container.
- This box is often used for the transportation of cargo via ocean shipments.
- A 20-foot container is described in terms of size as: 5,9 x 2,4 x 2,4 meter.
- It can contain 11 Euro-pallets on a single level.
- In terms of weight load, the following applies: +/- 27.400 kg.
Explanation of the 40 ft container
The 40-foot container offers twice as much space as the 20-footer. They are very suitable for e.g. industrial goods and retail products. This makes it a popular choice for shipping large quantities of goods. Good to know: you can also choose a higher ‘high cube’ edition. They are 9’6 tall. Stuff can be stacked high.
- They are ideal for big shipments.
- It has the following dimensions: L – 12.05M · W – 2.35M · H – 2.23M.
- It can carry between 23 and 24 Europallets in one tier.
- In terms of goods, there is a weight limit of +/- 28.300 kg.
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In which situations do I choose an FCL container?
When you need a lot of container space, then it is usually better to book a full container. Freight carriers then talk about FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t have to share space with others. The benefits are great: It guarantees a faster transit time, less risk of damage during the logistics process and you take advantage of economies of scale. Of course there are also downsides: the transport over land is more complex (truck) and insurance is more expensive. Another departure port? Also check Antwerp to East London (ZAELS) or Hamburg to East London (ZAELS).
- The meaning of FCL is: the volume is large enough to fill a whole container by one customer.
- Perfect for the transportation of large amounts.
- Recommended for shipments from 15 m3.
- Available at: e.g. ONE, Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC.
What is a Less than container (LCL)?
When you have too little goods to fill a full container, it might be cheaper to book a partial shipment (shared container). Transport organizations describe that as Less Than Container Load (LCL). What we mean by LCL is that shipments from various parties are combined to fill up one container. The advantages of this option include: you can save money on smaller shipments, you can save on inventory costs and it is more flexible during peak-times. Remark: once you have more than half a container worth of goods, then you better go for FCL. LCL cost is calculated by number of pieces, weight, volume, packaging.
- What we mean by LCL is that your shipment is taking up only a part of a partial container.
- An excellent choice for cargo volumes between 1,5 m3 – 16,5 m3.
- You just pay for the used volume of the full container.
- Wide availability in all months of the year.
- Available at: e.g. POL, Wan Hai, HMM, Evergreen, ZIM.
Alternative container types
The range of boxes is very diverse for the shipment of your goods. Each type of cargo needs a different solution. The Dry van is suitable for many common goods. Besides this, there are also applications for oil or petroleum, onions, potatoes, vegetables or high class goods. We’ve explained it all below. Be sure to check out the transport options to Sao Francisco do Sul (BRSFS), port of Guangzhou (CNCAN), Koper (SIKOP) harbor and terminal Walvis Bay (NAWVB).
- Bulk Containers: often used for dry bulk cargo like as grain, feedstuffs, spices.
- Flat Rack Containers: a flat rack only has walls or support post on the ends.
- Hard-Top Containers: the roof can be removed if necessary.
- High-Cube Containers: are used to carry lightweight, high volume cargo (with extra height).
- Insulated Containers: offer affordable, secure, warm and dry storage space.
- Open-Top Containers: ideal for logs, machinery, and odd-sized items.
- Palletwide Containers: perfect for transporting cargo on europellets.
- Refrigerated Containers: cold air blows from the refrigeration unit through the vents at the bottom of the reefer.
- Tank Containers: suitable for different modes of transportation, and built to carry hazardous cargo.
- Ventilated Containers: passive (naturally) ventilated or coffee containers.
Main types of ocean cargo: what do you want to transport by sea?
Transporting load by ocean from Rotterdam (NLRTM) to East London (ZAELS) have all kinds of advantages: you can ship large volumes at low costs, there are lots of different shipping options and it’s better for the environment than air freight. Much seen ocean cargo via sea import/export routes are: break bulk, containerized, neo bulk, liquid bulk, roll on/roll off. You can read more about it in the section below.
- Car shipping: have your vehicle shipped to an international port.
- House Moving: your international relocation will be less time-consuming and more efficient.
- Removals (Household Goods): all your household effects shipped inexpensive and insured.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. hydrogen, biofuels, gasoline, petroleum, kerosene, diesel.
- Dry Bulk: coal, iron ore, grain but also stuff like plates, coils, salt, cement.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): the vessel is designed so that vehicles or loads can be entered straight by rolling.
- Breakbulk: common method used to successfully transport cargo or goods that cannot fit in standard-size shipping.
- Retail & other: products like electronic goods, sports equipment, toys, clothes, art and antiques & drinks, fashion, shoes, furniture, machines.
FAQ: questions and answers about international transport
Shipping a container from Rotterdam (NL) to East London takes about 31 days. The total distance is approximately 7500 nautical miles (nmi). That is about 13890 kilometers. When you have booked a sea freight you get 2 types of important values: ETD and ETA. ETD provides information on the date and time the ship will leave the seaport. ETA means the expected date of arrival of an ocean carrier. The precise shipping time depends on displacement of the vessel, wind force and direction and type of shipment.
Shipping rates from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to East London (South Africa) are average. The final invoice amount is determined by a number of factors like container size, the total distance to the delivery destination and pickup charges and Fill in the application form for current rates and transit times.
When sending goods to East London, then customs clearance is an important step. The following documents should be provided: Certificate of Origin, Packing List, Insurance Certificate, Letter of Credit, Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading. For additional information, you can contact the customs of South Africa or check the official website for more info (www.transnetnationalportsauthority.net).
Incoterms describe the rights and obligations of both seller and buyer. Two of the most common Incoterms are CIF and FOB. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means the selling party takes care of transportation and insurance to the named port of destination. Terms of Free on Board (FOB): the seller is responsible for all expenses the goods until they are loaded on a shipping vessel. In addition, there are other Incoterms 2000 like e.g. Free Alongside Ship (FAS), Carriage Paid To (CPT), Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Free Carrier (FCA) + Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP), Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Cost and Freight (CFR).