Sea freight rates & services

The vast majority of household goods and personal effects moved internationally are sent by sea aboard modern containerised vessels. Generally this is the most economical way of forwarding goods. However, there are differing service levels available in this category. In moving goods internationally, like most things, there are usually several options available depending on the level of service provided, the length of time taken for the journey and the reliability and frequency of the ocean carrier.

With this in mind we are able to offer three different shipping methods to get your possessions to your new destination, depending on your volume and budget. The three methods that we use for sea shipments are:

Sea freight shipping methods


Consolidated / groupage shipment

This is when we group clients’ shipments together to fill a container before loading the container onto a vessel. We build a bulk head between each client’s shipment in the container, to ensure they are separated during transit. On arrival at the destination, the container is unloaded and each client’s shipment separated for delivery. Generally this is the most economical way of sending your shipment, as the ocean freight for the whole container is shared and you pay only the portion related to the volume of goods you ship.

Less than a container load

For this method of shipment we build a plywood crate (known as a “liftvan”) around your goods after packing. The liftvan is then loaded, as is, into a container bound for your new destination country. We would use this method for small volume shipments to destinations that have low traffic and where we cannot arrange a consolidated container for shipment.

Container types and sizes 20 Foot Container   Interior width: Interior height: Interior length: Cubic volume: Loaded capacity: 2352 mm (7 ft 8.6 in) 2395 mm (7 ft 10.3 in) 5898 mm (19 ft 4.2 in) 33.2 cbm (1173 cu ft) 29.73 cbm (1050 cubic feet) 40 Foot Container   Interior width: Interior height: Interior length: Cubic volume: Loaded capacity: 2350 mm (7 ft 8.5 in) 2392 mm (7 ft 10.2 in) 12032 mm (39 ft 5.7 in) 67.6 cbm (2389 cu ft) 62.3 cbm (2200 cubic feet) 40 Foot High Cube Container   Interior width:2352 mm (7 ft 8.6 in) Interior height: 2698 mm (8 ft 10.2 in) Interior length: 12023 mm (39 ft 5.3 in) Cubic volume:76.2 cbm (2694 cu ft) Loaded capacity: 67.95 cbm (2400 cu ft) 45 Foot Container     Interior width: Interior height: Interior length: Cubic volume: Loaded capacity: 2352 mm (7 ft 8.6 in) 2698 mm (8 ft 10 inches) 13556 mm ( 44 ft 5 in) 85.16 cbm (3007 cu ft) 79.2 cbm (2800 cubic feet) The cubic volume is based on the total space inside a container.  Please note that the loaded volume will be less due to space taken up in the loading of  irregularly shaped household items.  This is reflected in the loaded capacity.