Dimension of General Purpose Containers

Source: http://www.export911.com/e911/ship/dimen.htm#xDimension

World's largest shipping container makers

Source: The Star, 29 Dec 2008

World's largest shipping container makers
1) China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd. (CIMC) - Shenzhen
2) Singamas Container Holdings - Hong Kong

Neptune Orient Lines Ltd - South-East Asia's biggest shipper of container

Source: The Star, 22 Dec 2008

Fact
NOL wholly owns shipping company American President Lines, APL

Stormy waters for moving freight

The cost of hiring a ship to move freight around the world has fallen by a staggering 99% in the past six months.
In early June, renting a bulk carrier to transport coal or iron ore would have cost $235,000 a day, whereas now it is barely $2,000.

That brings the Baltic Exchange's sea-freight index, known as the Baltic dry index, to its lowest level since 1986.

Peter Norfolk, a director at the London brokers Simpson Spence and Young, explained to BBC World Service's Business Daily that hiring a ship was a complex matter, with companies hiring and then re-hiring to third and fourth parties.

"You might rent a vessel for $100,000 a day for two or three years," he says, "and then hire it out at "$120,000 a day." This market relies so much on the Chinese economy

London broker Peter Norfolk

Unable to hire them out at a profit, some companies are returning their ships early.

Ship owners are now having to lay up their vessels and, apart from a skeletal crew to manage essential electrical and mechanical maintenance, other crew members are being made redundant.


China's crucial role

The collapse in price had been greatest for the biggest ships - called the Cape-size carriers, because they are too big for the Suez Canal and have to go round Cape Horn between Europe and China.

Part of the reversal has been caused by the change in the steel industry, which in the first part of the year was still growing by about 6% annually but which is now experiencing negative growth.
Along with coal and iron ore, grain is shipped by bulk carriers

"For the past five years we have seen a very strong demand for industrial commodities which supported the shipping industry, but all of a sudden the situation has been reversed," says Peter Norfolk.

More than 50% of all bulk cargoes are related to the steel industry, which reflects the fundamental economic growth of most nations.

Grains are also transported by bulk carriers and countries such as China rely on imports to feed its population.

It ought to be good news for the consumer as the cost of shipping goods around the world decreases, but Peter Norfolk warns that if people can't afford to ship goods then there will be an impact on trade.

"This market relies so much on the Chinese economy", he says, "so unless there is some rebound in demand there is unlikely to be much improvement.

Relative calm

Although the market for container shipping has weakened due to the collapse in demand from Europe and America for Asian goods it remains, for the time being, a comparatively healthy sector.
Container ships have yet to feel the full impact of the economic slowdown

At the end of September, there were 4.600 container ships moving around the world whilst only 80 were at anchorage.

However, the world's second largest container manufacturer, Singamas, says it is operating at 60% of its normal level due to the slowdown in Chinese exports.

Meanwhile, companies which have invested in shipyards to build vessels are now facing question marks over their financial viability and many of them are having to reconsider their strategy.

An interview relating to this story can be heard on the Business Daily podcast dated 9 Dec 08

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7777507.stm, 12 Dec 2008

World's second largest container manufacturer = Singamas

FCL, LCL, CY, CFS

FCL = full container load
LCL = less than container load, loose container load

CY = container yard
CFS = container freight station

FCL/LCL – are to do with the space usage in a container
FCL - full capacity / full payload
LCL – eg: a shipper intends to have the consignments of 2 or more consignees for the same destination

CY/CFS – are to do with the location of the cargo delivery and receipt
CY – forwarder’s/shipper’s/consignee’s container yard or premises
CFS – carrier’s container freight station (shipper has to deliver the cargo to the carrier’s container freight station for loading)

In terms of container services
CY/CY service = door-to-door service, full container from the shipper’s place to the consignee’s place

CY/CFS service = door-to-port service, full container from the shipper's place to the carrier's CFS at destination, consignee arranges the collection of loose cargo

CFS/CY service = port-to-door service, loose cargo from the origin's CFS packed into the whole container and deliver to the consignee's place

CFS/CFS service = port-to-port service, loose cargo from the origin's CFS packed into the whole container and deliver the destination's CFS, consignee arranges the collection of loose cargo

Source: http://www.speedycargo.com/Text/1172089012765-3636/pC/1146077018046-5007/Resource-Center

Container Terminal Handling Charges

Charges from ports - payable by BOX OWNWERS



Source : Northport http://www.northport.com.my/container_tariff.asp#am, Westport http://www.westportsmalaysia.com/our_services/ourservc_container_tariff.html

Charges by box owners - payable by CONSIGNEES/SHIPPERS/FORWARDING AGENTS

THC
20'GP - RM335
40'GP - RM500
20'RF - RM495
40'RF - Rm735

How a fork lift lifts up an empty 20' container?

Fork lifts uses it's 2 "forks" to enter into the 2 rectangular holes below the 20' empty container.

Container Inspection at Westport - "Satin"

1) Container inspection have to be witness by 2 parties.
a) The consignee (cargo owner) - could be represented by forwarder or freight forwarder
b) The shipping agent - box owner

2) Of course the inspection will be conducted by customs officers - break seal and examine the cargo inside the container

3) Cargo of "Satin" - cloth

4) The inspection is about the end

5) Close and seal the container again with a new seal

20' Containers lifted by forklift from the staking position on to a trailer

40' reefer (refrigerated) container

40' Containers lifted by empty container handler from a trailer to a stacking position (2/2)

40' Containers lifted by empty container handler from a trailer to a stacking position (1/2)

40' Containers lifted by empty container handler from stacking position onto a tariler