Just a few weeks ago, the port of Southampton in the UK saw the arrival of the largest container ship. Named Marco Polo after the explorer, the container ship measures a whopping 1,299ft long by 177ft wide. The vessel is longer than four football pitches.

The container vessel, owned by CMA CGM can hold up to 16,000 containers; it’s this capacity that makes it the world’s largest sea freight container ship.

New technology incorporated into new container ships such as the Marco Polo, for example, the advances in hydrodynamics, decrease CO2 emissions and energy consumption. The ship’s electronically controlled engine uses an average of three percent less fuel than a regular engine. Provisions to prevent oil leaks (via a specially designed double hull) and reducing the transfer of micro-organisms from one ocean to another (via a water treatment system) have also been made. Advances such as these make new container ships more environmentally friendly and conserving for the marine environment.

Competitor Maersk is working on building an even larger ocean freight container ship to hold 18,000 containers, after previously holding the record for the largest shipping vessel with capacity of 11,000 containers.

The Marco Polo container ship will adopt a route to link Asia to Northern Europe. As one of the fastest ocean freight services between Asia and the United Kingdom, it also has comprehensive coverage of China, visiting Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen and Hong Kong to name a few, visiting Southampton in the UK .

Call us today to discuss your import shipment from Asia to the United Kingdom – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Quote for Shipping to or from Southampton Port

If you’re looking to export chemicals, Mercator Cargo can help. With trained staff and over 20 years’ experience in international freight forwarding, Mercator has the knowledge and contacts to arrange your export of chemicals from the UK.

Even hazardous, dangerous or restricted chemicals are in our remit. When your chemicals both leave the UK and arrive at their destination country, hazard restrictions and regulations may apply, it is vital these are understood. Mercator is able to assist you in understanding these regulations and offer advice with regards to labelling, packaging and documentation.

There may be specific regulations about how your chemicals need to be packaged, classified and labelled. Mercator can offer advice with regards to any queries you may have. Still managed and owned by the founding family, we pride ourselves with offering the best customer service at a personal level.

Mercator is able to offer a bespoke service to aid you in organising your export shipment of chemicals from the UK.

Call today to speak to a member of our Export Department to discuss your export of chemicals from the UK – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Quote for Exporting Chemicals from the UK

At Mercator we can offer a variety of options for refrigerated container transport (also known as reefers) for import into the UK and export from the UK.  Some goods will need to be kept at a cooled constant temperature, for example frozen food stuffs, whilst other items (for example candles) may need to be protected from heat or cooler temperatures in a controlled temperature environment.  Reefers allow the transportation of perishable goods at any time of year, safe in the knowledge your goods will not spoil.

Available in either 20 foot or 40 foot containers, and even part loads – where we can combine your goods with other loads (provided that all the goods can be kept at the same temperature).  Combining your load with other goods can keep your costings down.

Examples of refrigerated container transported goods include:

Mercator also offers comprehensive advice and services in all Port Health matters.  If importing or exporting food stuffs, your goods will be subject to Port Health clearance.  Our experienced team of freight forwarders can advise on all Port Health queries.

When importing into the UK your goods will be subject to VAT and Duty charges through customs.  We are able to calculate this rate and deal with HMRC clearance.  Once your goods have arrived in the UK and your VAT & Duty charges have been settled, Mercator can make arrangements to deliver your shipment to door, either via road haulage or rail.

Call today to speak to a member of our Operations Department to discuss your refrigerated shipment – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Quote for Refrigerated Container Shipping

This October, Marco Polo Line (MPL) held its 5th Annual Conference in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.  Mercator enjoys an organising role in MPL as a founding partner in the global network of freight forwarders.  The network consists of small to medium sized freight forwarders, all committed to professional and personal customer service.

This year, Mercator was represented by Paul, CEO; and Julie, Finance Director (pictured above).  The conference consisted of two days of face-to-face meetings between the organisations from around the world.  This gives great opportunity for MPL members to discuss business from operational to sales matters.  This year offered Mercator a chance to build stronger relationships with other independent freight forwarders from across the globe.  With these links, Mercator is able to offer its clients a more comprehensive and effective freight forwarding service.  Not only that, if a client has a logistics issue, we have a local (and personal) contact for almost anywhere in the world.

The global network consists of other independent freight forwarders from all around the world, such as Mercator.  Our connection with these international offices allows Mercator local knowledge at your cargo’s destination country.  Not only does this give us information of local customs charges, but also contacts with local, trusted hauliers and rail networks to safely, and efficiently deliver your goods “to door”.  Delivery services include ‘delivery duty paid’ (DDP); ‘delivered at place’ (DAP) and ‘delivered at terminal’ (DAT).

Call today to speak to a member of our Freight Forwarding Team to discuss the transportation of your goods around the world – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

Mercator Cargo is a founding partner of a global network of independent freight forwarders.  With our 20 years’ of experience in freight forwarding, we can arrange for your export goods to Brazil, South America from the UK.

There are several freight forwarding options to consider when arranging your export to Brazil.  One important first consideration is how big your load is.  Mercator can offer services including:

–          Full container load by ocean freight
–          Half container load by sea freight
–          Smaller load via air freight
–          Or less than container load (LCL) – where your goods are combined with other specially selected cargo which can reduce the shipping costs.

Other information required includes whether your cargo has any special requirements.  For example, Mercator can accommodate for unusual or sensitive loads including:

–          Dangerous Goods
–          Hanging Garments
–          Precious Cargo
–          Special Merchandise
–          Perishable Goods.

Mercator offers a comprehensive freight forwarding service, giving advice on options such as documentation; transit routes; customs clearance; transit times; and transport options.

Mercator can arrange your customs clearance for you as your cargo arrives in San Paulo, Brazil.  These customs charges can be calculated in advance, so that all charges are clear and upfront.  Once the customs clearance charges have been settled, we will call on our contacts locally in San Paulo – thanks to our global network of independent freight forwarders.  Using their local freight forwarding knowledge and contacts with hauliers and rail networks, we can arrange your cargo’s onward journey to its final destination.

Whether you’re a new business expanding into exports, or you’re an established company looking for a freight forwarding partner, contact us to discuss your shipment to Brazil.
Tel. 02392 756 575 or Email:sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Quote for Shipping to Brazil

As part of an international network of independent freight forwarders, Mercator can assist in transporting your goods to or from United Arab Emirates.  With a partner freight forwarding office locally in Dubai, we can arrange for your goods to be delivered to anywhere in UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

As an independent freight forwarder, Mercator can take the time to work closely with its customers, offering advice on:

–          Transit Times
–          Customs Clearance
–          Duty
–          Documentation

Mercator only uses reliable and trusted shipping companies and airlines to transport your goods to UAE.  Arrangements for special cargo can be made for the following:

–          Dangerous Goods
–          Perishable Cargo
–          Hung Garments
–          Precious Goods
–          Special Merchandise

Our link with our Dubai, United Arab Emirates freight forwarding partner gives invaluable local knowledge that means that your cargo is in safe hands.  Understanding of customs clearance and contacts with experienced hauliers means your products can reach their destination in a safe and timely manner.

Mercator’s freight forwarding customs clearance services include:

–          Customs clearance
–          Licences
–          Carnets
–          Duty and tax planning
–          Temporary imports

Once your cargo has reached its destination port and customs charges have been settled (calculated prior to departure), Mercator can arrange the final part of your cargo’s journey using the afore-mentioned local road and rail contacts via our freight forwarding partner office in Dubai.

To arrange a shipment to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), call us to speak to a member of our sales team and discuss a tailored service for your goods
Tel. 02392 75 65 75.

 

Request a Quote for Shipping to Dubai

At Mercator, we have seen an increase in freight forwarding exports from the UK.  When considering expanding your business and beginning to export your goods from the UK, it is important to understand the procedures required to allow this process to run smoothly.

The majority of Mercator’s current client base is small to medium sized enterprises.  For over 20 years, we have assisted hundreds of UK-based companies establish protocols for UK export.  As such we are used to guiding our customers through the freight forwarding export process, offering advice on transport options, routes and documentation, thus creating a seamless process for exporting your goods.

So if you require a UK-based expert freight forwarder to assist in exporting your goods, contact us to see how we can help
Tel. 02392 756 575 or Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk

 

Request a Quote for UK Export Shipping

The developer of a proposed huge new rail freight terminal using Green Belt land at Radlett in Hertfordshire, UK, is celebrating a victory following a High Court decision to overturn the government’s denial of planning permission.

The ruling means that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will have to reconsider his decision made in July last year.

HelioSlough’s proposed Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) had been opposed by campaigners arguing that the terminal would erode the Green Belt and increase the level of noise and traffic in the area.

The developer wants to build the 350,000sq metre depot on the former Radlett Airfield.

A spokesman said: “The SRFI is important for sustainable economic growth – some £250 million (US$402m) will be invested by the private sector in this development, with some 3,000 jobs being generated over the long term.

“It will also generate significant carbon savings by switching freight onto the railways that would otherwise have been moved by road.”

It added: “In the light of this ruling, we now await to hear from the secretary of state what his next steps will be and we will be engaging fully in that process.”

The Secretary of State has until 11 July to challenge the court ruling.

Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail’s Manager, said, “Without road and rail transfer points in the right locations, long-distance road freight cannot be removed from our congested road network.

“The planning inspector recommended granting planning permission for this strategic interchange, so we urge the secretary of state to support this application, which ticks all the right boxes in terms of location, stimulation of the green economy and green jobs.”

She added: “Not only is this decision crucial for relieving road congestion around Greater London, it is a key test for wider strategic planning versus localism in the new planning regime.

“The country needs the Localism Bill and the forthcoming National Planning Policy Framework and National Policy Statements to support strategic planning, and, in particular, rail freight terminals of varying sizes in order to reduce road congestion and tackle climate change.”

For more information on this, or any other Rail, Road Sea or Air shipments, please contact our expert team at Mercator Cargo on 02392 75 65 75