Container shipping Hamburg to Libreville
You want to ship a container from Hamburg to Libreville (GALBV)? Sea freight has many pluses: you can ship large volumes at low costs, you have low maintenance costs and containers can also be used for further transportation by road or rail. Exporting a container overseas with liquids or furniture is easy with shippinglines like Wan Hai Lines. They can get you and a wide range of container types. You have to choose between Full Container Load (FCL) and partial shipments (LCL). Via our transport specialists we share actual information regarding international transport Libreville (GA LBV). We offer practical information about the different types of sea containers. On this website you can read a a practical step-by-step plan where we explain everything in 5 steps. Provide us with your transport details and we get you a quote with market prices.
- Ocean shipping is an innovative, trustworthy and cost-effective way to transport bulk containers.
- When we compare it to air transport, it offers more capacity and value.
- Sea freight is recommended for worldwide relocations and the transportation of gas-based fuels or bikes.
- The Port of Libreville is a frequently chosen port in Gabon.
- You can choose from the following containers: 20 FT, 40 FT, 40FT HC and Hard-Top, Flat Rack, Dry Van, Refrigerated, Ventilated, Tank containers.
Main topics
Shipping to Libreville (GALBV) from Hamburg (DEHAM)
Ocean freight shipping is the container freight transportation of cargo by shipping lines. Your personal stuff is put on a container with pellets. The freight forwarder will reserve a container for you. A shipping vessel will be ready for your goods at the port of departure (POD) Libreville (GA LBV), and will be shipped over the ocean to the terminal at the arrival harbour. There are different kind of options: port-to-port, door-to-door, door-to-port or port-to-door. In the schedule below you will find practical information about the port of delivery.
| Port of departure | Port of Hamburg (DEHAM) |
| Country of departure | Germany |
| Port of destination | Port of Libreville |
| Country of destination | Gabon |
| Port Code | GALBV |
| Transport Time | +/- 23 days |
| Shipping costs | $$$ |
| Port address | Owendo Po Box 1051 Libreville Gabon |
| info@ports-gabon.com | |
| Website | www.ports-gabon.com |
| Phone | 241700048 |
Freight Forwarder Hamburg – port of Libreville
- Information about your freight
Enter the port of departure and the POD. Determine the desired transport method: (FCL) Full Container Load or a container with combined cargo (LCL). Also select container size (20-foot, 40-foot, or a 40-foot high cube).
- Freight preparations
Firstly, make sure your goods are tightly packaged. 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 Libreville (GALBV), you should think about several export documents (for the purpose of national customs): commercial invoice, packing list, certificates of origin, export/import customs declaration, packing declaration. A Bill of Lading is a document that is provided to the shipper describing the correct state of goods and that the load is prepared for shipping.
- Agree on who bears the risk (Incoterm)
An incoterm is a set of rules to agree on the most important contractual terms and obligations for global trade. The Incoterm states how much responsibility you have for export/import documents, insurances and transport. Popular incoterms are Free On Board (FOB), Ex Works (EXW), Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF).
- Track Sea Cargo
Use the Online Container & Freight Tracking System to check where your freight is right now. You can see in realtime when the cargo is registered at the POO (port of load), arrived at Port of delivery (POD) and when the cargo has reached its final destination.
Sea freight from Libreville (GALBV) to Hamburg (DEHAM): choose container
You are going to ship a container from port of Libreville – (GA LBV) to port of Hamburg – (DE HAM)? It is highly recommended to pick the right container type. They are available in different sizes (20 ft, 40 ft) and different terms and conditions (FCL shipment or LCL shipping). Major shipping lines that sail here include CMA CGM, MSC. Important towns around the port are Libreville, Ntoum, Nkan, Kango, Cocobeach, Lambaréné, Port-Gentil, Ndjolé, Fougamou, Omboué, Mitzic, Booué, Oyem, Mouila, Bitam, Mimongo, Gamba, Tsogni, Mbigou, Ndendé. In the following summary we put everything together and offer information about the most popular container types. Check also more information about Furniture transport.
Details of a 20ft container
20-foot containers (some people call it dry van) is the most popular container size. It’s a very common and efficient size, so the transport costs are quite low. Particularly suitable for the transport of personal effects or international movings. What you might not know: The term “TEU” stands for twenty-foot equivalent unit.
- This box is a very suitable choice for the shipment of goods in ocean freight.
- A 20-foot container is described in terms of size as: L – 5.89M. W – 2.35M. H – 2.23M.
- A 20 foot holds 11 pallets in one tier.
- The maximum load is about +/- 27.700 kilogram.
What you need to know about the 40ft container
A 40 foot container is widely used on (standard) ships. You can pack a lot of cargo in this. It is especially intended for shipping large volumes of cargo. Tip: you can also opt for a taller ‘high cube’ variant. This is one foot taller than a regular 40 ft. Ideal for tall items.
- Very popular with large and bulky goods.
- The dimensions are the same internationally: 12,2 x 2,44 x 2,59 meter.
- The Forty Foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) can hold 20-24 pallets.
- In terms of weight fits maximum: +/- 28.000 kilogram.
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What is a Full Container (FCL)?
When you need a lot of container space, then renting a full container is the most interesting. Freight forwarders then refer to it as FCL (Full Container Load). There is no need to share it with other shippers. It is a popular transport method: It guarantees a faster transit time, less risk of damage during the logistics process and it’s more cost-effective. Of course there are also downsides: it is unsuitable for small goods exporters and you have higher inventory costs. Transporting cargo from another port? Also see Antwerp to Libreville (GALBV) or Rotterdam to Libreville (GALBV).
- The idea of FCL is that you temporarily own a complete container.
- Suitable for as many small items on pallets as large goods.
- When you send more than 10 standard pallets.
- Available at: e.g. MSC, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, ONE.
(LCL) Less than container
When you want to save money and don’t need a full container, inquire about the possibilities for a shared container. This is known as LCL (Less Than Container Load). LCL means that you share the space in the container and the shipping costs, with other businesses. There are multiple advantages: you can save money on smaller shipments, you spend less on inventory space and it is faster during peak-season. Watch out: if you can fill more than half of a container, it is often cheaper to book a full container. LCL cost is calculated by the dimensions of the package i.e. the length, width.
- With LCL transport, your shipment is taking up only a part of a partial container.
- For low-volume shipments of between 3 m3 – 15 m3.
- Freight costs are typically based on cargo volume.
- Capabilities at almost all international ports.
- Available at: e.g. Evergreen, ZIM, POL, Yang Ming, Wan Hai.
Other types of containers and customization
The range of boxes is very diverse for ocean transport. Shipping companies offer a suitable solution for every cargo type. The Dry van is suitable for many common goods. But there are also specific options for liquids, vegetables and fruit or other special goods. Our expert has laid out a list below. You can also look further at transport options in Malabo (GQSSG), port of Bell Bay (AUBEL), Sodertalje (SESOE) harbor and terminal PrimeTimaru (NZTIU).
- Bulk Containers: used to ship a broad range of dry cargo like wheat, rice and corn.
- Flat Rack Containers: internationally used when the cargo cannot fit inside a standard box.
- Hard-Top Containers: the roof can be removed if necessary.
- High-Cube Containers: perfect for large, oversized, tall, and bulky items.
- Insulated Containers: maintains the initial temperature and protects the interior from exterior conditions.
- Open-Top Containers: e.g. for Machinery require space for their tops to stick out.
- Palletwide Containers: ideal for transporting euro pallets.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers are used for goods which need to be transported at a constant temperature.
- Tank Containers: for the transport of liquids, gases and powders as bulk cargo.
- Ventilated Containers: specially for cargoes which have to be ventilated in transit.
Main types of ocean cargo: What do you want to ship?
Exporting load by sea from Hamburg (DEHAM) to Libreville (GALBV) has a lot of pluses: attractive rates, there are lots of different shipping options and very flexible. The most important ocean cargo shipped via sea routes are: liquid bulk, break bulk, dry bulk, roll on/roll off, neo bulk. Below we tell you everything about it.
- Car shipping: transport your vehicle to the other side of the world.
- House Moving: get your private goods shipped for relocation.
- Removals (Household Goods): quickly and easily ship your household effects to another city.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. diesel, kerosene, petroleum, hydrogen, biofuels, chemicals.
- Dry Bulk: iron ore, coal, grain and things like plates, cement, sand, coils.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): a vessel transporting wheeled cargo (cars/trucks,trailers,etc).
- Breakbulk: consists of goods transported, stored and handled piecemeal to some degree.
- Retail & other: load like clothes, sports equipment, medical/pharmacy, electronic goods, toys & drinks, furniture, shoes, fashion, machines.
Everything about international transportation (FAQ)
Shipping a container from Hamburg (DE) to Libreville takes approximately 23 days. The total distance is about 5300 nautical miles (M). This is equivalent to 9816 kilometers. When you have booked a sea freight you have to take into account 2 important values (ETD and ETA). ETD stands for Estimated time of departure of the ship or truck. ETA means the Expected or Estimated Time of Arrival. The shipping time is determined on the basis of condition of the hull, the sea conditions and berth availability.
Shipping rates from Hamburg (Germany) to Libreville (Gabon) are slightly above average. The total sum is determined by important aspects like type of container, transit time and the Incoterms you have agreed on. Fill in the request form for a customised quote and extra info.
When transporting goods to Libreville, then you should also think about customs clearance. The following documents need to be in place for effective and easy customs clearance. Letter of Credit, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Insurance Certificate, Import/export Licenses, Bill of Lading. For more detailed information please contact the customs of Gabon or navigate to the website of the port or the government (www.ports-gabon.com).
Incoterms are a set of 11 internationally-recognized rules that define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers. For sea transportation, we usually use FOB and CIF. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) means the exporter pays for covering the costs, insurance, and freight of the buyer’s shipment while in transit to the destination port of the buyer’s choosing. With Free on Board (FOB), we mean that the seller is responsible for the goods until they are loaded on a shipping vessel. Other Incoterms 2000 you can choose from are: Free Carrier (FCA), Ex Works (EXW), Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Free Alongside Ship (FAS) + Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP), Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Delivered At Place (DAP).