Container Shipment Method

Japan is the major source of automobile industry. Large numbers of vehicles are produced and exported from the country within a year only. And with every passing day, the popularity of Japanese vehicles is increasing. These vehicles are famous for their reliability, comfort, safety and durability. Almost every country in the world import vehicles from Japan. Even Japanese used vehicles are popular among people because they are good in quality and are available at reasonable rates. For shipment of vehicle, used vehicle importers use shipment method that is suitable for them. One of the most safe and convenient method of vehicle shipment is container shipment.

Containerization is a system of intermodal freight transport using intermodal containers (also called shipping containers and ISO containers). The containers are generally made of steel or aluminium and have standardized dimensions. In general, there are boxes or containers within a box. In container shipping standard sized containers of 20 foot, 40 foot, 45 foot and 53 foot are used.

The vehicles can be loaded and unloaded, transported over long distances and are transferred from one mode of transport to another without being opened. The cargoes are loaded and discharged at much faster pace than other method of shipment. The handling of vehicles is done with cranes and special forklift trucks as handling system is completely mechanized. All containers are numbered and computerized system is used for tracking them.

The vehicle to be shipped is loaded into a container along with any personal or house hold items that the customer might want to ship. Shipping companies even give the option of Less than Container Load (LCL), for customers who do not require a full container as they have limited amount of cargo to be shipped. In the LCL container car shipping option, items from multiple customers are shipped into a single container.

There are two types of container Loading:-

• Full container Load (FCL):- A full container load is an ISO Standard container that is loaded and unloaded under the account of one shipper and only one consignee. In comparison to other, it offers complete schedule flexibility and a high frequency of sailings. FCL is intended to designate a container loaded to its allowable maximum weight or volume. No matter if the cargo is half loaded or quarter loaded, if booked by one shipper under one shipment, then it is FCL shipment.
• Less-than-container load (LCL):- This shipment is not big enough as to hold a standard cargo-container. When the shipper does not have much cargo to reserve one full container, then he’ll go with LCL shipment. The cargo is shipped together with other consignments for the same route in a container. When it comes to cost and convenience, going with LCL is more sensible decision.

In container shipment as vehicles transported are enclosed in containers, hence are less likely to get damaged during shipment. Container shipment method is also beneficial if one wants to transport some goods such as household items or other along with the vehicle. When compare to transportation cost, container shipment method is somewhat more expensive than RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) shipment.

There is no limitation with the capacity of cargo that container can carry. As compared to other shipping methods, less number of crew are required for vehicle shipment. These container ships are generally larger and faster than general cargo ships. For global trade, container shipping services are important. Used vehicles from Japan are transported through this method of shipment as vehicles are kept securely inside the vessel. This shipping method is usually the safest and fastest way for transportation of cargo.