Container vs. Trailer
In the past when transit through Russia was not an issue it was obvious to send cargo by truck via Russia however now the situation has changed and it is important for companies to have a look at their old supply-chains and reconsider the way then transport their products.
It is an almost ingrown reflect in European transport personnel always to book a trailer without looking at the better options that might be available.
We often hear customers who says that their cargo cant be loaded to containers because they are used to send by trailers in Europe but when asked how their company send cargo to USA or Asia they they realize that their products can easily fit to a containers with the benefits that is brings.
With the current situation where lots of cargo cant transit Russia and many companies refuse transit through Russia it is important to understand that the Caspian Sea creates a natural barrier for the freight moving to Central Asia. The vessel and ro-ro ferry capacity are limited and is no adequate especially in peak seasons and in winter time.
Below are some of the facts that should be considered when choosing between sending with a trailer to a container.
Capacity on the Caspian
• The freight capacity across the Caspian Sea is limited when it comes to ro-ro ferries. It can create bottlenecks with waiting times of up to 1-2 weeks for departures.
• The available capacity for containers is bigger than for trailers
• It is easier to find and get extra capacity for containers than for ro-ro ferries.
Safety
• For high value cargo it is safer to load it in a container than in a standard tilt trailer as the risk of theft on the way is highly reduced with containers.
Loading capacity
• It is possible to load 33 palles in a 45” hc pallet wide container
• It is possible to load 34 pallets/ in a standard trailer
• It is possible to load xx cbm in a 45 hc container
• It is possible to load xx cbm in a standard trailer
• Nax height of cargo in a 45” container is
• Max height of cargo in a standar trailer is
Transit time
• Tranit time for trailers is normally 21-27 days and for containers 45-60 days.
• Our container set up’s trabsittime is 25-30 days
• In peak and bad weather periodstruck/trailers may get stuck waiting for ferry departure in 7-14 days.
Loading/unloading access.
• Can the mode of transport be changed from trailer to container? In many cases people mistakenly think that their cargo can’t go in container however when the sit down a have a look in 90% of the caes it is not an issue
• We often meet customers who unconsciously answers that their products can’t be loaded into containers because they have been used to send trailers to Central Asia via Russia. When asked how they send their products to customers in USA or Asia they change their answer and the products can easily go into containers instead of trailers.
• Does the consignee have infrastructure to offload from a container. This should be checked with the consignee when entering into an agreement.
CO2 emissions
Eventhough we can only use railways on the route from Germany to Istanbul we are still reducing the emission of CO2 with more than 60% compared with using truck/trailer on the same route