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

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

After a very slow and somewhat dismal start to 2011 it looks like Airfreight Export and Import cargo is finally picking up with growth since January around 4% and the annual forecast should be between 5-10% up on the second half of 2010.

However rising fuel prices have squeezed margins for most carriers with increases in Fuel meaning that to secure business the carriers have had to cut basic Airfreight Rate per KG to hold onto and increase market share.

It remains to be seen if traditional Summer and Christmas “peak seasons” will drive volume up, it seems likely that the costs incurred for exporting or importing by air could well result in volumes remaining low until first quarter 2012 when the London olympics should begin to increase overall Import Volume, especially into London Heathrow.

For more information, or air freight rates, services and general guidance please contact one of our expert team at Mercator Cargo Systems on 02392 75 65 75

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

Freight rates in the Far East/Europe trade have been falling for the past 6 months or so and are currently 40-50% lower than November 2010. Carriers have tried to increase freight rates in 2011, but the hikes have failed to stick. This is bad news for shipping lines as they enter peak season, traditionally the time of year when demand for shipping space is high resulting in firmer freight rates. The causes are weaker than expected demand linked with new, bigger vessels entering service.

For more information on this, or any other international shipping, freight forwarding, import, export and international trade requirements call our freight forwarding experts on 02392 75 6575

The port of Tyne is undergoing major dredging works to allow ever larger vessels to call at the multi function berth at the Riverside Quay.

The dredging forms part of a major £4 million investment in the port infrastructure.

This will open up the North East port as more and more carriers and Importers use the port for Northern delivery points. Mercator cargo have been using this and other ports in the north of the UK for some time, cutting down on UK haulage prices, with the added benefit of reducing carbon footprint.

The port will now be able to accomodate the larger vessels, upto and including the current largest “Panamax” range.

The move follows the increase in orders from many carriers, such as Maersk who have recently ordered TEN 18000 TEU Vessels for delivery in 2013, they are also expected to take the option to increase the order to a further ten vessels for delivery in 2015-2015. With the possibility to order a further ten in addition.

EMC (Evergreen)  has ordered thirty five 8800teu vessels, twenty or so of which are scheduled for completion in 2013.

CMA CGM has increased the capacity of  three ships in production from 13800teu to 16000teu.

To discuss this, or any other Import, Export or Container shipping please contact a member of our experienced freight forwarding team on 02392 75 65 75

April 2011 saw Hong Kong Port handle 2,020,000 TEU. This is a 4 per cent increase on April 2010 throughput of 2,000,00 TEU. The port of Singapore registered  impressive growth of nearly 6 percent to 2.5 million TEUin April 2011 from 2.4 million in April 2010

Currently the worlds top 10 ports stand as follows (Approx figures based on industry sources)

1- Singapore in 2010 handled around 25.8 MILLION TEU

2 – Shanghai in 2010 handled around 25 MILLION TEU

3 – Hong Kong in 2010 handled around 21 MILLION TEU

4 -Shenzhen in 2010 handled around 18 MILLION TEU

5 -Busan, South Korea in 2010 handled almost 12 MILLION TEU

6 -Guangzhou in 2010 handled just over 11.1 MILLION TEU

7-Dubai UAE in 2010 handled around 11.1 MILLION TEU

8- Ningbo in 2010 handled around 10.5 MILLION TEU

9- Qingdao in 2010 handled around 10.2 MILLION TEU

10- Rotterdam, the only port in EUROPE in the top 10 in 2010 handled around 10 Million TEU

SIX of the top 10 ports in 2010 are located in China, which goes to show the growth and strength of the Chinese economy, Singapore and Shanghai are set to slog it out for the TOP Port of 2011 with Shanghai narrowly leading the race!

For more information on Import, Export, Freight Forwarding and import from any of the TOP 10 ports in the world, and beyond please call our Experts on 02392 75 65 75

Southampton Port, the UK’s Second Busiest, has increased port operational capacity by adding two new cranes this week.

The addition of the latest pair of super-post panamax cranes to Southampton Port’s operation has increased the total number of cranes to 12, the cranes nicknamed Delta and Charlie unloaded their first containers this week from vessels APL Turkey and MOL Charisma.

The cranes form part of the ports development plan along with the recent rail upgrade and future development of a new port area.

This is an important addition to Southampton port, it means that Import and Export Containers can load and unload quicker making Cargo available sooner to Freight Forwarders, making the Import and Export cargo operations run more efficiently and smoothly and ultimately means that cargo can arrive at destination that little bit quicker!

For more information on Southampton Port, Import and Export from the UK please call us NOW on 02392 75 65 75 to discuss your requirements with an experienced member of the Mercator  Cargo Team!