In recent years, with the increase of trade activities between China and the Middle East, the sea transportation routes from China to the Middle East have become more and more popular. There are many countries and regions in the Middle East, and there are also many ports, such as the Port of Ashdod in Israel, the Port of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the Port of Kuwait in Kuwait, the Port of Bandar Abbas in Iran, the Port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and the Aqaba in Jordan. Therefore, sea transportation has become the choice of many people due to the advantages of lower cost and more complete services.

Container transportation is one of the most common modes of transportation for sea freight services from China to the Middle East. So, how many modes of transportation are there for international shipping containers?

1.According to the way of packing the goods, it is divided into two types

Full ContainerLoad（FCL）

It refers to the container that the cargo party consigns by itself after filling the whole container with the goods. It is usually used when the owner has enough supply to load one or several full boxes. Except for some large shippers who have their own containers, certain containers are generally leased from carriers or container leasing companies. After the empty box is transported to the factory or warehouse, under the supervision of customs officers, the owner puts the goods into the box, locks the goods and seals them with aluminum, then hands them over to the carrier, and obtains the station receipt, and then replaces the receipt with a bill of lading or Waybill.

Less ThanContainer Load（LCL）

It means that after the carrier (or agent) accepts the small-ticket freight consigned by the consignor whose quantity is less than the whole container, it is classified according to the nature of the goods and the destination. Consolidate the goods to the same destination into a certain number and pack them into boxes. Because there are goods from different owners in one box, it is called LCL. This situation is used when the consignor’s consignment is insufficient to fill the whole box. The classification, arrangement, concentration, packing (unpacking), and delivery of LCL cargo are all carried out at the carrier’s terminal container freight station or inland container transfer station.

2.Delivery of container cargo

According to the different modes of container transportation, the handover methods are also differentiated, which can be roughly divided into the following four categories:

FCL delivery, FCL pick up

The owner will hand over the full container to the carrier, and the consignee will receive the same full container at the destination. The packing and unpacking of the goods are the responsibility of the seller.

LCL delivery and unpacking

The consignor will hand over the consignment goods with less than FCL to the carrier at the container freight station or inland transfer station, and the carrier will be responsible for LCL and packing (Stuffing, Vanning), and transport it to the destination cargo station or inland transfer station After that, the carrier will be responsible for unpacking (Unstuffing, Devantting). The packing and unpacking of the goods are the responsibility of the carrier.

FCL delivery, unpacking

The owner will hand over the full container to the carrier, and at the destination container freight station or inland transfer station, the carrier will be responsible for unpacking, and each consignee will receive the goods with a receipt.

LCL delivery, FCL delivery

The consignor will hand over the consignment goods with less than FCL to the carrier at the container freight station or inland transfer station. The carrier will adjust the classification and assemble the goods from the same consignee into a FCL. After transporting to the destination, the carrier will The person is delivered by the whole box, and the consignee is received by the whole box.

3.Delivery point of container cargo

According to the different regulations of trade conditions, the delivery point of container cargo is also distinguished, generally divided into the following categories:

(1) Door to Door

From the sender’s factory or warehouse to the consignee’s factory or warehouse;

(2) Door to CY

The container yard from the shipper’s factory or warehouse to the destination or unloading port;

(3) Door to CFS

A container freight station from the shipper’s factory or warehouse to the destination or port of unloading;

(4) CY to Door

From the container yard at the place of departure or loading port to the consignee’s factory or warehouse;

(5) CY to CY

From a yard at the place of departure or loading port to a container yard at the destination or port of discharge;

(6) CY to CFS

From a container yard at the origin or loading port to a container freight station at the destination or unloading port.

(7) CFS to Door

From the container freight station at the place of origin or loading port to the consignee’s factory or warehouse;

(8) CFS to CY

From a container freight station at the origin or port of loading to a container yard at the destination or port of unloading;

(9) CFS to CFS

From a container freight station at the origin or loading port to a container freight station at the destination or unloading port.

However, although sea transportation is a cost-effective method of transportation in cross-border logistics from China to the Middle East, it still has certain risks and complexity. Without the help of a professional team, problems can easily arise in the sea transportation. Shenzhen Focus Global Logistics Corporation Ltd. has 21 years of experience in international freight forwarding. It has an industry-leading advantage in China’s cross-border sea freight services. It specializes in providing customers with one-stop cross-border logistics solutions. If you have business contacts, please consult 0755-29303225 , E-mail: info@view-scm.com, looking forward to cooperating with you!