If you import into the UK or export from the UK, you are most likely to either have a freight forwarder, or will be looking to choose a freight forwarder.
Here are a few questions that might be important to consider before choosing your freight forwarder:
Does your freight forwarder have links to or experience in importing or exporting to your origin or destination countries? Here at Mercator, we are part of a global network of independent freight forwarders. This means we have a personal freight forwarding contact in virtually every country in the world, allowing us to draw on local knowledge that other freight forwarders may not have access to.
Does your freight forwarder have time to spend talking through options and processes? As an independently run freight forwarding agent, Mercator’s experienced freight forwarders have the expertise and the time to deliver a first class service. When you choose us as your freight forwarder, you will be assigned a personal contact, your logistics expert if you like. This freight forwarder will be personally contactable via email and telephone, and will keep you updated with your shipment every step of the way. It is not coincidence that our first customer back in 1991 is still our customer today.
Does your freight forwarder listen to your forwarding needs and the needs of your business? We understand that it is important for your freight forwarder to be working with you. This is why we will do our upmost to deliver your goods on time, and keep you in the loop throughout your shipments movements.
Can your freight forwarder cope with a complicated shipment? As an independent freight forwarder, we have the time and the expertise to deal with complex shipments. Whether you have an out of gauge cargo shipment, or a delicate load, Mercator Cargo can assist you.
If the above points are important to you and your business, why not give one of our freight forwarders a call to discuss how we can help your business. Even if you’d like to just have a chat and get a quote, you are under no obligation to take up our services if you decide not to.
So to compare our service with your current freight forwarder, give us a call today – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
Mercator Cargo Systems were recently instructed to organise the shipping of a large crane from the UK to Thailand. This project required substantial planning and pre-shipment organisation to ensure the most efficient transit cost and speed.
We shipped the boom sections, counterweights, winching system and hooks in multiple containers whilst the main crane body was shipped on MAFI trailers using roll-on-roll-off (RORO) cargo vessels.
The total weight was approx. 152,000kgs. We had to carefully plan every stage from arrival at the load point, to handling into the containers and then moving the laden containers and platforms to ships side. The cargo was then transported by sea from the Port of Southampton to Taichung, Taiwan.
The cargo was a tricky mixture of voluminous pieces and smaller denser pieces (for example, the 14m long section of luffer was only 1.5t in weight, whereas the counterweights, although only 25cms thick were over 12t each).
This meant we had to carefully plan which containers we would require, where in a container the components would sit (taking into account weight distribution and floor strength), what we could load with what based on the shape of the cargo, and how to secure the cargo once manoeuvred in to the container or on to the platform. It was a challenge to get it right.
We were successful first time round and even managed to consolidate the number of containers required down from 8 to 7, meaning we saved our clients even more money. By sending the boom sections, counterweights, winching system and hooks in containers rather than with the main crane body as part of the RORO cargo, we managed to save our clients a substantial sum of money.
If you are looking for a freight forwarder who looks outside the box and can think their way around problems like this, call us on 02392 75 65 75 or request a quote online.
Mercator Cargo is an established freight forwarder in the UK. Celebrating its 20th year in business in 2011 it is a long standing member of the British International Freight Association.
With extensive experience in all aspects of freight transport, customs clearance and international shipping, the companies dedicated team of freight forwarders are able to find you the most reliable and cost effective international sea, road, air and rail freight forwarding services for your cargo.
10, St George’s Business Centre,
St Georges Square,
Portsmouth, PO1 3EZ, UK
Mercator is a family-run, UK based independent freight forwarder, offering highly effective sea, road and air freight services around the world.
