How do I get my shipping container delivered? The supply chain was disrupted towards the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and is still recovering. Fewer truck drivers were on the road, boats were stuck at ports, and manufacturers could not keep up with demand. With all these new problems, you are probably wondering what this means for your shipping container. You are probably asking the question, “How do I get my shipping container delivered?”
Or perhaps you just want a shipping container to store items on your property. In this case, you only need to worry about getting your container delivered for that one time. That presents its own set of challenges.
Although the pandemic threw a wrench in established shipping practices, that does not mean that your shipping container will be left behind. Getting your container from point A to point B does not need to be difficult. It takes planning and research, but with the help of a reputable shipping company, your materials will get where they need to be in no time. In this article we will answer the question, “How do I get my shipping container delivered?”
Shipping Container Transportation
So, how do I get my shipping container delivered? Shipping container transportation is the process of moving a container from one place to another. These containers can be filled with raw material to be used in manufacturing, business-to-business goods, commercial goods, or any large amount of items that need to be relocated.
Logistics of Shipping Container Transportation
The first step to answering the question, “How do I get my shipping container delivered?” is to understand the logistics of the delivery. This is often the job of a supply chain manager. They will decide which shipping company you will use, when and where the goods will be picked up, and if they need to go over waters they will decide how the transfers from truck to the boat will occur, and ultimately how the delivery will happen. Not only will a well-planned journey get your shipping container where you want it, but it will also get it there in an efficient way and minimize unnecessary costs. Although your shipping company will have an understanding of the supply chain, understanding it yourself can help keep the journey as tight as possible.
Forms of Shipping Container Transportation
Speaking of shipping companies, you will need to hire someone to move your shipping container. If you are going to ask, “How do I get my shipping container delivered?” you need to know that someone will have to drive the vehicle that transports your shipping container. There are many forms of shipping container transportation. The most common forms of shipping container transportation are truck, train, ship, or some combination of the three.
Warehouse to Truck
Most companies store stock in warehouses before they are shipped. Loading products from a warehouse is a dangerous process if not done correctly.
Ship to Truck and Truck to Ship
If you need to transport your shipping container over water you will need to use a boat, but before the shipping container can be loaded onto the ship, it first needs to be transported via truck.
From the pick-up location, often a warehouse, a truck hauling your shipping container will make its way to a port. Here large cranes will take your shipping container from the truck and load it onto the ship where the rest of its journey will take place.
Costs
The Container
There are many costs associated with transporting a shipping container. The first cost is the cost of the container itself. You can buy your shipping container. Brand new 20ft shipping containers go for around $3,000, but if you need a bigger one it is going to cost you upwards of $4,500. Used containers go for around $1,500 for a 20ft container and over $3,500 for 40ft containers.
You can lease a shipping container if you do not want to buy one. Just as you make monthly payments when renting an apartment, you make monthly payments when you lease a shipping container. As long as you want the container, you pay for it. This is a great option for people who only need to make a few, large deliveries and do not want to commit to purchasing their own shipping container. Take some time to research different companies to find the best price for a shipping container with the quality you require.
Travel Costs
Unfortunately, the shipping container is only one piece of the puzzle. You will also need to pay transportation costs. These are often not included in the list price of the container as they are variable. If you are far away, gas is more expensive. There will be more wear and tear on the vehicle transporting the container as well. The driver needs to be paid. Not all shipping container companies include these hidden costs in the list price even though they are your responsibility.
Shipping Container Delivered
Now that you understand how shipping transportation works, you can begin to understand the delivery portion of the question, “How do I get my shipping container delivered?” Once you buy or lease a shipping container, you will need to handle the logistics of bringing the container to your property. Things like maneuver clearance, overhead obstructions, and equipment selection need to be handled before it arrives. If your property does not have enough room for a large truck to adequately maneuver, it might be impossible for the driver to deliver your container without damage to your property. When you choose where you will place the container, think about what is possible.
Shipping Container Trucks
When empty, a 40ft container can weigh over 8,000 pounds. To move these containers empty let alone filled, you need a very large shipping container truck. Some companies will supply a truck and driver to deliver your container to you, but if you ever need to move it again, you will need to hire a truck driver. Heavy Weight Transport has trucks that can transport even the heaviest containers wherever you need them to go.
