Container shipping Rotterdam to Balboa
Are you interested in a way to ship a container from Rotterdam to Balboa (PABLB)? Sea freight is very practical: you can ship heavy cargo for a good price, you have low maintenance costs and it is safe. Transporting containers with freight like refrigerated cargo or cars is easy with shippinglines like Arkas Container Transport. Shipping lines offer a lot of container-types. Transporters make a distinction between a complete full container (FCL) and Less Container Load (LCL). Via our portal we provide accurate information for international transport Balboa (PA BLB). We provide you with extensive information about how to choose a suitable container for your freight. You will also find a step-by-step plan for starting exporters. Send us your details and we will gladly send you a tailor-made offer with extensive pricing details.
- Ocean shipping is a very popular, secure and inexpensive way to ship your goods to anywhere in the world.
- When we compare it to air transport, there are fewer restrictions and it is far cheaper.
- Sea freight is ideal for international movings and carrying roll on/roll off or equipment.
- The Port of Balboa is an important hub in Panama.
- The range of containers includes: 20 foot, 40 foot and Flat Rack, Dry Van, Insulated, Open-Top, Ventilated, Tank containers.
Main topics
Shipping to Balboa (PABLB) from Rotterdam (NLRTM)
Ocean freight shipping is the process of shipping goods by sea using containers. Your cargo is wrapped up in shipping containers. The freight forwarder (intermediary) have a special container prepared. The cargo is transported by truck to the shipping vessel at the port of origin Balboa (PA BLB), and will be shipped over the ocean to the terminal at the destination harbor. You can choose for: port-to-door, door-to-door, port-to-port, door-to-port. In the table below you will find practical information about the POD (Port Of Destination).
| Port of departure | Port of Rotterdam (NLRTM) |
| Country of departure | Netherlands |
| Port of destination | Port of Balboa |
| Country of destination | Panama |
| Port Code | PABLB |
| Transportation time | +/- 29 days |
| Shipping rates | $$$$ |
| Local address | Arnulfo Arias Madrid Avenue, Building 1501, P.O. Box 0843-00574, Panama, Panama |
| info@ppc.com.pa | |
| Website | www.presidencia.gob.pa |
| Phone number | 507-2075100 |
Freight Forwarder Rotterdam – port of Balboa
- Select shipment details
Enter the departing port and the destination harbor. Decide if you will ship full containers (FCL) or partial shipments (LCL). You also choose the size of the container (20 ft, 40 ft of 40 ft high cube).
- Preparing the cargo
Firstly, you need to make sure your load is packed correctly. To transport the cargo in good condition, we advise to put everything on pallets. Your cargo must also be easily recognizable with labels.
- Common Export Documents
When exporting goods to Balboa (PABLB), please pay attention to the necessary up-to-date export documents (for correct national customs papers): bill of lading, packing list, export/import customs declaration, commercial invoice, certificates of origin. A Bill of Lading is a document or contract issued by the carrier or agent to acknowledge the receipt of cargo and that the load is prepared for shipping.
- Determine the desired Incoterm
Incoterms are relevant terms for worldwide shipping to define the responsibilities and costs between two parties correctly. The Incoterm determines who is the risk-bearing party for the cost and risk of transportation, insurance, duties payable and clearing customs. Much chosen incoterms are Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Ex Works (EXW).
- Track and Trace shipment
Use the Online Container & Freight Tracking System to check where your shipping is right now. They will send you a mail when the cargo is departed from Port of Loading (POL), arrived at the port of arrival (POD) and the moment the consignee has confirmed that the cargo has reached its final destination.
Sea freight from Balboa (PABLB) to Rotterdam (NLRTM): choose container
You received an order and want to ship a container from port of Balboa – (PA BLB) to port of Rotterdam – (NL RTM)? It is crucial to find the right container type. There are different sizes (20 foot, 40 foot) and all kind of container conditions (FCL shipment or LCL shipping). Popular shipping lines include APL, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, MOL, MSC, NYK, ZIM. Important towns around the port are Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, Arraiján, Veracruz, Paraíso, San Miguelito, San Vicente de Bique, Vista Alegre, Las Cumbres, Nuevo Guararé, Nuevo Arraiján, Taboga, Nuevo Emperador, Puerto Caimito, La Cabima, Santa Clara, Caimitillo, Chilibre, Calzada Larga. In the next section you will find useful information about the most popular boxes. We are happy to provide you with more information about Air Freight.
Explanation of the 20 foot container
Twenty Foot Containers (a.k.a. dry van) is the most commonly used size. They are easy to stack, which ensures low handling costs. Particularly suitable for the transport of furniture and movings. Some extra info: A TEU is a standard container with a length of 20 feet.
- This box is often used for sending goods with transport ships.
- A 20-foot container has the following dimensions: 5898 (l) x 2390 (h) x 2350 (w) mm.
- It can hold between 9 and 11 pallets.
- A lot can be loaded in terms of goods weight: +/- 27.900 kg.
Information and benefits of 40ft container
In addition to the small one, there is also a larger 40 foot container. Te 40ft is twice as big as the more standard 20ft. It is especially intended for shipping large cargo by sea. What you may not know: 40ft containers are also available as ‘high cube’ variant. This is one foot taller than a regular 40 ft. This ensures that your cargo/goods can be loaded higher.
- Taller and bulkier than the standard containers.
- In terms of format, this type comes out to: L – 12.05M · W – 2.35M · H – 2.23M.
- Up to 23 Europallets can be stuffed in a 40′ container.
- The maximum load is +/- 28.800 kg.
Instant Ocean Freight Rates: instant shipping rates
Instantly get the current rates of all major shipping lines
Information about FCL containers
When you need a lot of container space, then a full container is often worth it. Freight carriers then talk about FCL (Full Container Load). There is no need to share it with other shippers. It is a popular transport method: optimal transit time, limited damage risk and and it costs less at the bottom of the line. There are also disadvantages: it is not suitable for small cargo and it is harder to unload the FCL shipment. Have your cargo depart from another port? See also Antwerp to Balboa (PABLB) and Hamburg to Balboa (PABLB).
- The premise of FCL is that the whole container is intended for one shipper.
- Used by all major manufacturers and shipping companies.
- For shipments that are larger than 10 CBM.
- Available at: e.g. CMA CGM, MSC, ONE, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd.
Use a Less than container (LCL)
When you have too little goods to fill a full container, you can ship it in a shared container with other shipments. Logistics experts treat that as a LCL (Less Than Container Load) agreement. The meaning of LCL is: you share the container with other importers. You consciously opt for various benefits such as: for smaller loads, it is way cheaper than a full container, you spend less on inventory warehousing space and lower sourcing risk. Watch out: if 50% of the container consists of your goods, then it is often more interesting to go for an FCL shipping. The shipping costs are calculated on the basis of shipping dimensions, weight, and number of pieces.
- LCL Means that means that your shipment is taking up only a part of a partial container.
- A suitable choice for transport with a size between 2,5 m3 & 14 m3.
- Deal for cargo that does not fill the entire container.
- Easier to book during peak season.
- Available at: e.g. HMM, Evergreen, Wan Hai, POL, ZIM.
Other special types of containers
There are many different types of boxes available for international cargo shipping. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The Dry van is the variant that most people will recognize. But there are also specific options for liquid bulk, flour, coffee or cocoa or fragile items. We explain everything below. You can also read more information about shipments to Gavle (SEGVX), port of Lagos (PTLOS), Vigo (ESVGO) harbor and terminal Ambarli (TRAMR).
- Bulk Containers: used in for transporting bulk cargo like as grain, feedstuffs, spices.
- Flat Rack Containers: the walls allows for the loading of cargo from the top and/or sides.
- Hard-Top Containers: the roof can be removed if necessary.
- High-Cube Containers: extremely functional for transporting light and large cargo.
- Insulated Containers: ideal for bulk shipping and temporary storage of mixed products.
- Open-Top Containers: also have end doors, like closed containers, to give flexibility for loading and unloading.
- Palletwide Containers: provides a higher cubic capacity than standard boxes.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers are perfect for refrigerated transport of nutritional goods and medicaments.
- Tank Containers: ideal for transport and distribution of bulk liquids.
- Ventilated Containers: ventilation is provided by openings in the top and bottom side rails.
Kind of freight: what kind of stuff are you going to ship?
Shipping cargo by ocean from Rotterdam (NLRTM) to Balboa (PABLB) has lots of advantages: low rates, high sea vessel load capacity and much more environmentally friendly than e.g. air freight. The main categories of ocean cargo transported by sea include: liquid bulk, containerized, dry bulk, roll on/roll off, break bulk. Below we explain some goods/cargo.
- Car shipping: reliable import and export of a vehicle via sea shipping.
- House Moving: affordable and reliable way for international relocations.
- Removals (Household Goods): all your household effects shipped inexpensive and insured.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. kerosene, gasoline, petroleum, diesel, chemicals, hydrogen.
- Dry Bulk: coal, grain, iron ore and lumber, plates, cement, sugar.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): the vessel is designed so that vehicles or loads can be entered straight by rolling.
- Breakbulk: ships carrying break-bulk cargo are often called general cargo ships.
- Retail & other: load like medical/pharmacy, clothes, electronic goods, sports equipment, art and antiques or food, fashion, machines, shoes, drinks.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about international transport
Shipping a container from Rotterdam (NL) to Balboa takes approximately 29 days. The distance between the two ports is about 6800 nautical miles. That is about 12594 kilometers. If you choose transport by sea, you have to pay close attention to ETD and ETA. ETD provides information on the date and time the ship will leave the seaport. ETA is the date that the shipment arrives in the destination country. The shipping time is determined on the basis of condition of the hull and the propeller, wind force and wind direction and type of shipment.
Shipping rates from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Balboa (Panama) are relatively expensive. The total sum is determined by important aspects like cargo dimension, the total distance to the delivery destination and currency. Request a quote without obligation for the best rates and current transit times.
When you are sending goods to Balboa, there are documents you need for customs clearance. Exporters need to include the following documents with their goods: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Insurance Certificate, Import/export Licenses, Letter of Credit, Certificate of Origin. For more detailed information you can contact the customs of Panama or navigate to the website of the port or the government (www.presidencia.gob.pa).
Incoterms are a widely used system to define, simplify and clarify transactions between an exporter and an importer. The most common terms for sea transport are CIF and FOB. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means the selling party pays for the cost and freight of bringing the goods to the required port. The meaning of Free on Board (FOB) is the seller must arrange everything regarding the freight until all cargo is on the ship. Other Incoterms 2000 you can choose from are: Free Carrier (FCA), Free Alongside Ship (FAS), Carriage Paid To (CPT), Ex Works (EXW) and Cost and Freight (CFR), Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP), Delivered At Place (DAP).