Container shipping Rotterdam to Philadelphia

Topics

• Worldwide shipping to harbor Philadelphia from Rotterdam (Netherlands)
• Advice for exporting goods in May 2024
• Choose the appropriate container
  • Explanation of the 20 ft container
  • Explanation of the 40ft container
  • In which situations do I choose an FCL container?
  • Does your cargo fits the Less than container (LCL) solution?
  • Information about other types of containers
• Main cargo types
• FAQ: current topics around international transport

Specifications of a twenty foot container

20 foot containers (a.k.a. dry van) is the most preferred container size. They are easy to load, access, and handle, that means they are quite cheap. Suitable for all types of cargo, including personal stuff and movings. Good to know: 1 TEU is the indication for 1 20 foot container.

• This box offers a solution 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.
• The container can be loaded with 11 pallets.
• You can load it with maximum +/- 27.300 kg.

Important specifications of the 40ft container

Besides the 20-foot, the 40-foot container is another popular option. You can pack a lot of cargo in this. This makes it an excellent choice for shipping large sea freight. Good to know: 40ft containers are also available as ‘high cube’ choice. It has an exterior height of 9’6” (1 foot taller than normal). Stuff can be stacked high.

• Taller and bulkier than the standard containers.
• The dimensions are standard: 12.025m long x 2.352m wide x 2.393m high.
• 1 FEU fit up to 20 Standard Pallets, and 24 Euro Pallets.
• In terms of weight fits maximum: +/- 28.400 kg.

When do i need a Full Container Load (FCL)?

When you need a lot of container space, then you can book your own full container. This is known as an FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t need to share your container with anyone else. It is a popular transport method: optimal transit time, less risk of damage during the logistics process and it’s more cost-effective. There are also disadvantages: the transport over land is more complex (truck) and insurance is extra important. Do you want to send items from another port? Check also Antwerp to Philadelphia (USPHL) and Hamburg to Philadelphia (USPHL).

• The premise of FCL is that the volume is large enough to fill a whole container by one customer.
• Perfect for the transportation of large amounts.
• It is cheaper when the shipment uses more than 10 pallets.
• Available at: e.g. Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, Maersk, ONE, COSCO.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of LCL containers?

If your cargo does not fill a whole ocean freight container, your goods will be shipped with other cargo. Transport organizations describe that as Less Than Container Load (LCL). LCL Means that means that you have no say about the other type of cargo that’s in the container with your freight There are many positive aspects to mention like: you will share all costs with the other suppliers, less inventory costs & management and easy time-management and scheduling. Pay attention: once you have more than half a container worth of goods, then it is usually more interesting to opt for FCL. The total costs are calculated based on number of pieces, weight, volume, packaging.

• What we mean by LCL is that you transport your cargo via a partial container.
• An excellent choice for cargo volumes between 4 m3 and 13 m3.
• Cost-effective for freight forwarders with smaller shipment volumes.
• Easier to find space during peak season.
• Available at: e.g. Wan Hai, POL, Evergreen, HMM, Yang Ming.

Alternative container types

The range of boxes is very diverse for freight forwarding. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The Dry van is the most used type worldwide. There are specially developed transport options for oil, petroleum, and freshwater, wheat, barley and cocoa or unique high value cargo. We explain everything below. You can also look further at transport options in Stockholm (SESTO), port of Algiers (DZALG), Freetown (SLFNA) harbor and terminal Damietta (EGDAM).

Important types of ocean cargo: what kind of stuff are you going to ship?

Exporting goods by ocean from Rotterdam (NLRTM) to Philadelphia (USPHL) has a lot of pluses: attractive prices, there are lots of different shipping options and containers can also be used for further transportation by road or rail. Much seen ocean cargo shipped via sea routes are: containerized, roll on/roll off, dry bulk, neo bulk, break bulk. You can read more about it in the section below.

• Car shipping: your vehicle (car/motorcycle) will be shipped safely and relatively cheaply.
• House Moving: affordable and reliable way for international relocations.
• Removals (Household Goods): have your household effects shipped to a new home.
• Liquid Bulk: e.g. diesel, hydrogen, biofuels, gasoline, kerosene, petroleum.
• Dry Bulk: grain, iron ore, grain and lumber, sand, cement, coils.
• Roll on Roll off (RORO): vessel has facilities to enable road or rail vehicles to roll on and roll off.
• Breakbulk: refers to goods that are stowed on board ship in individually counted units.
• Retail & other: products like art and antiques, medical/pharmacy, sports equipment, toys, electronic goods & furniture, drinks, shoes, food, fashion.