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.
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.
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.
Mercator can offer several different freight forwarding services to export your cargo to Argentina, South America. With comprehensive sea container freight and air freight options, Mercator can assist in exporting your goods to South America.
As a founding partner in our global network, we have representing offices in Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Rosario, Argentina. This provides us with invaluable local knowledge of customs procedures and contacts with reliable and trusted local hauliers and rail networks. Our contacts with these local freight forwarders mean that we can offer a “to door” service, including delivered at terminal (DAT), delivered at place (DAP) and delivered duty paid (DDP).
Mercator is a UK-based independent freight forwarder with over 20 years of experience of shipping goods all around the world. With our knowledge, we can discuss with you your requirements, and advise on matters such as:
– Documentation
– Shipping Routes
– Transit Times
– Customs Clearance
– Warehousing and Distribution
All customs clearance charges can be calculated in advance of you shipment departing for Argentina, South America – so there are no hidden charges or nasty surprises. Once the clearance charges have been settled, your cargo can be released and continue its onward journey to its destination. Onward transportation includes road haulage and rail options using our local freight forwarding network office and knowledge.
So with assistance in exporting your goods to Argentina, either via ocean container freight or air freight, call Mercator today to discuss your requirements and arrange a tailor-made freight forwarding solution. Tel. 02392 756 575 or Email sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk
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.
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
Several major terminals and ports in Asia are suffering from congestion due to rapid growth in the freight forwarding industry. Freight forwarders and shipping analysts are now calling for urgent investment into these ports to increase capacity and reduce congestion.
This has been caused by the increase in the size of vessels used to transport cargo worldwide. An average vessel now carries up to 4000 containers, whereas only a few years ago the average vessel had a 1000-2000 container capacity. This major leap has increased the strain on terminal capacity at many Asian ports.
If you are looking to import or export to or from Asia and are concerned about the congestion currently being seen at ports in these countries, contact Mercator Cargo Systems now for up to date information, advice and solutions to your freight forwarding.
Our global network of freight forwarders with over 225 offices in over 82 countries worldwide means we are able to get up to date, local and specialist on the ground knowledge of the freight situation in almost any country worldwide. This truly comprehensive network means we are able to offer you a superior and informed global freight forwarding service.
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.
