Container Freight Services

What are Freight Container Services?

Container freight services involves the packaging of goods into large metal containers and shipping the container from one point to another. These containers often come in sizes of 20 ft. but can also come in various different heights to accommodate different kinds of goods.

There are 2 kinds of container freight services available:

  1. Full Container Load (FCL)

This means the goods stored in the entire container come from 1 shipper.

  1. Less Container Load (LCL)

This occurs when a shipper does not have sufficient goods to fully load up a container. As such, he will contact a consolidator (freight forwarder) to help consolidate his goods into a container alongside other shippers’ goods

Searching for competitive rates for container freight services? Drop us an enquiry today and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

Contact Us!

Why use Container Services?

In the past, people have always sought to standardise the way cargo was transported. This was because it allowed them carry the largest possible volume of goods over from one point to another for trade. Today, the shipping industry has selected the use of containers to transport goods as it is:

  1. Sturdy

The metal plating allows it to withstand great external pressures, allowing the goods kept within to remain intact, free from damage.

  1. Able to accommodate large amounts of goods

Apart from the huge size of the containers, the stackable cuboid shape of the containers help to minimise the wastage of space when compacting containers together, allowing more containers to be loaded on aircraft, ships or ports.

Benefits of using a Full Load Container (FCL)

  • Value for Money

    Overall, it is actually more economical to ship large volume of goods via FCL than LCL. This is due to the cheaper rates given when booking a FCL from a freight forwarder company as it saves them the time and resources of consolidating the goods and storing the container in their warehousing storage.

  • Faster Transit Time

    The lower transit time also makes FCLs more attractive than LCLs if the shipper is rushing to send their cargo across. This due to the time spent looking for other shippers who are shipping to the same port of destination. Furthermore, the actual consolidation and deconsolidation will also add to the overall time needed for transportation.

    There is also a greater risk of goods being delayed by slow custom clearance because they will not release the entire container as long as one shipper is found to have reflected the information wrongly on their documents/ has issues with their cargo.

  • Lower Risk

    The main reason would be the reduced handling time by external parties throughout the trip. By opting for a FCL, goods can be packed into the container, sealed and never be opened until the container reaches its destination. (or unless required by the customs)

    In addition, it will minimise the risk of damaged goods as long as the cargo is properly packaged and palletized as goods may be damaged in a LCL when other shippers negligently pack their goods, causing it to damage your goods during the entire journey.

Benefits of using a Less Container Load (LCL)

  • Reduce Inventory Investment

    LCL provides many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to ship goods without the need to invest in an entire container worth of goods. As such, this reduces the inventory investment needed for transportation and is especially helpful for SMEs that have limited funds.

  • Lower Cost

    Due to the smaller volume of goods sent, it reduces the overall cost of shipping and makes shipping services more accessible to smaller companies.

    This accessibility may not seem like much but it actually allows more companies to ship goods across countries, in turn providing a greater variety of goods sold in markets all around the world.

Both LCL and FCL have their own distinctive advantages but in general, any company looking to ship a large amount of goods will find it more cost effective to adopt a FCL while they will find it more advantageous to opt for LCL when choosing to ship smaller quantities of goods.

Why choose M&P International Freight?

M&P International Freight is a one-stop shipping solutions company located in Singapore who are primed and ready to meet the transportation needs of international clientele.

 

Global Reach

After a decade in the service, we have established connections with the best container freight forwarding services around the world. By doing so, we are able to negotiate on your behalf for the most competitive prices available.

Professional and Reliable

Here at M&P International, we have assembled a world-class team of professionals that are geared to meet your all of your logistical needs. We are prepared to assist you along your entire logistical journey to ensure a seamless shipment.

We have been in the industry for numerous years and we are confident of providing container freight services are very competitive rates. Contact us for more information!

Contact Us!