As we are now in 2013, you may be thinking of expanding your UK based manufacturing business.  Perhaps you have a product that is selling well in the UK, but you’re considering the global market place.  Freight forwarding might seem a daunting area for new exporters, but we’re here to help.

As experienced freight forwarders based in the UK, we can offer a comprehensive service to all our customers, both large and small.  As a family-run, independent freight forwarder, we are able to take the time to guide you through exporting your UK manufactured goods to the global market.

Mercator offers air, sea and road freight worldwide.  We are rather unique in that we are a founding member of a global network made up of other independent freight forwarders like us.  This allows us personal contacts in almost every country around the world, and invaluable, local knowledge.

Think you might need hand-holding the whole way?  No problem.  We are well versed in introducing the procedures to new exporters.

Need advice on different options?  Mercator can offer advice on ocean freight, air freight and road freight, including costings, transit times, and any local charges you may incur at your goods destination.

Mercator began trading over twenty years ago, and our first customer back in 1991 is still our customer today.

If you’re still wondering if we’re right for you, why not give us a call on 02392 756 575, or email sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk, and either George or Jess will be in touch about your export freight.

 

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Gulftainer has won a bid to develop and run a new container port in Tripoli, Northern Lebanon.  An investment of $60 million will fund machinery for the new port, including three ship-to-shore gantry cranes, nine yard cranes and up-to-date technology to manage the yards and containers in the new port smoothly.

Once the port has been completed, it will be able to receive some of the largest container ships in the Eastern Mediterranean.  The new Port of Tripoli will alleviate some of the congestion at nearby Port of Beirut, and an alternative terminal to that of Tartous and Lakakia in Syria.

The new port will provide another route for imports and exports to Iraq from the Mediterranean Sea.  This will cut transit times from Europe to Iraq, allowing cargo to pass through the new Tripoli Port and travel via road to its destination in Iraq.  Currently the Umm Qasr Port (Iraq) and the Gulftainer Port in Tripoli (Lebanon) are not linked via rail, although it would only take 31km of track to link the two ports.

Call Mercator today to discuss your shipment to or from Lebanon – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

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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

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

Many carriers are putting planned GRI (General Rate Increase) for the 1st of August on hold due to lower than forecasted Peak Season Container bookings, a number of carriers are already announcing the scrapping of increases way ahead of the proposed implementation date, with most citing growth and volumes at low levels even as we approach the traditional peak season for Christmas goods to begin shipping.

Some industry sources say that peak season this year will fail to materialise, due to the historically low freight rates but also due to some customers getting burnt in previous years with space problems, some of them having already arranged shipment and in some cases already fully stocked for Christmas.

For more information on this or any other container, import or export, freight or international trade matters please call the expert team at Mercator Cargo on 02392 756575

 

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