Container shipping Antwerp to Tampa

Themes

• Shipping to harbor Tampa from Antwerp (Belgium)
• Export a container in 5 steps in May 2024
• Selection guide: find a suitable container
  • Details of a 20 FT container
  • Explanation about a 40ft container
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of FCL shipment?
  • What is meant with Less than container (LCL)?
  • What other types of containers are there
• Main cargo types
• FAQ: frequently asked questions and answers regarding international transport

Explanation about a 20 foot container

20 foot containers (also known under the name dry van) is the most commonly type for shipment in ocean freight. They are easy to transport, which ensures low handling costs. Suitable for different kinds of storage including household goods and international removals. Nice to know: 1 Teu means Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit.

• This box is often used for the shipment of goods in ocean freight.
• A 20-foot container know the following size description: 5.90m x 2,35m x 2,39m.
• It can contain 11 Euro-pallets on a single level.
• The maximum allowable load is +/- 27.000 kg.

Specifications of a forty foot container

The 40-foot container offers twice as much space as the 20-footer. You can pack a lot of cargo in this. This makes it an excellent choice for shipping large cargo by sea. Good to know: there are also special 40 foot containers such as the ‘high cube’ edition. It has an exterior height of 9’6” (1 foot taller than normal). This makes them particularly useful for niche applications.

• Taller and bulkier than the standard containers.
• In terms of format, this type comes out to: 12200 mm × 2440 mm × 2590 mm.
• It can carry between 23 and 24 Europallets in one tier.
• Pay attention to the weight limit of +/- 28.500 kilogram.

Information about Full Container (FCL)

If your cargo is so large that you can fill an entire container, then you can book your own full container. Freight carriers then talk about FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t have to share space with others. The benefits are great: quick transit time, limited chance of damage and and it costs less at the bottom of the line. There are of course also drawbacks: it is not suitable for small cargo and insurance is more expensive. There are also other departure ports. See for example Rotterdam to Tampa Authority (USTPA) and Hamburg to Tampa Authority (USTPA).

• What we mean by FCL is that your goods are stored in a fully owned container.
• 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, CMA CGM, Maersk, COSCO, ONE.

When is a LCL container a good choice?

When you want to save money and don’t need a full container, inquire about the possibilities for a shared container. Transport organizations describe that as Less Than Container Load (LCL). What we mean by LCL is that you share the space in the container and the shipping costs, with other businesses. There are many positive aspects to mention like: you can send some good in a cheap way, less inventory costs & management and it is more flexible during peak-times. Watch out: once you have more than half a container worth of goods, then FCL is probably your best bet. The shipping rates are based on the dimensions and weight of the cargo.

• LCL Means that means that your cargo will be placed into a partial container.
• An excellent choice for cargo volumes between 3 m3 – 13,5 m3.
• You just pay for the used volume of the full container.
• Easier to find space during peak season.
• Available at: e.g. Wan Hai, Evergreen, Yang Ming, POL, ZIM.

Various other types of containers

The range of boxes is very varied 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 innovative and special constructions for oils or chemicals, grain, flour, or other special goods. Our specialist has placed a summary below. We also provide more information about sea transportation to Mejillones (CLMJS), port of Khorramshahr (IRKHO), Belize (BZBZE) harbor and terminal Subic Bay (PHSFS).

Main types of ocean freight: which items do you want to transport by sea?

Importing cargo by ocean from Antwerp (BEANR) to Tampa (USTPA) has lots of advantages: low cost, best for Bulky Goods and the Duty and VAT are much less expensive than air freight. The main categories of ocean cargo that are transported by sea are: liquid bulk, roll on/roll off, dry bulk, break bulk, containerized. You will find all the information in the box below.

• Car shipping: have your vehicle shipped to an international port.
• House Moving: affordable and reliable way for international relocations.
• Removals (Household Goods): Ships your household effects / furniture quickly and affordable.
• Liquid Bulk: e.g. biofuels, kerosene, diesel, petroleum, hydrogen, chemicals.
• Dry Bulk: coal, grain, iron ore and rods, lumber, salt, coils.
• Roll on Roll off (RORO): vessel type used for the transportation of cars and other automobiles.
• Breakbulk: consists of goods transported, stored and handled piecemeal to some degree.
• Retail & other: products like clothes, art and antiques, medical/pharmacy, sports equipment, electronic goods & drinks, furniture, machines, shoes, fashion.