Shipping a van that doesn't fit in a container?
 

I'm trying to plan a round-the-world trip and looking at vehicle options, for a number of reasons I think I've decided on a Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 Panel Van.

Obviously I'm going to have to ship the van at different stages of an around the world journey, how difficult is it to ship a vehicle like this that won't fit in a standard shipping container?

Hi,

Is it width that is the problem with getting the said van in a container? Length is definitely not an issue and wouldn't think height would be?

Im currently trying to ship a truck back from S Africa to UK. It's a tiresome affair.

My options have been limited to Ro Ro ship or on a flat rack. Flat rack is horribly expensive and not recommended from a cost point of view. Ro Ro is the best option if you're on a budget.

I have tried a total of 8 companies. For those that actually bother to reply to emails or answer the phone, only decent quote has come back from WILHELMSEN. They are quick to reply, efficent, and tell you all you need to know. Their quote has been 50%, yep 50% cheaper than the next best quote. Still pricey, but not any other option short of driving it all the way back.

Im dealing with a larger vehicle though so you might not have that same price differential. But can say these guys seem to know what theyre doing.

I'm looking at a LongWheelBase version with a high-roof which leaves me with the rough dimesnions of:

W = 2m
H = 2.6m
L = 6.6m

I just assumed that it was too big for a standard container, but having a look around at container dimensions I see there are a few different sizes and a standard 40ft container would take it pretty easily.

Dave, what kind of prices are you looking at for shipping from RSA to UK?

Personally I'd go the RoRo route anytime, generally its a fairly secure way of transporting a vehicle especially if you use one of the big shipping lines that want access to US and European ports - extra security is required at the port of embarkation. Just secure anything of value, ease of picking up in a box.

You can get 20' open top containers, but you always pay a premium as they have to be top loaded - which means they get unloaded at each port of call and then reloaded. Whilst damage is very rare during loading it does increase the risk each time the container is picked up and put down. The other hassle is that in most cases the container has to be taken from the port for unloading and an overheight container can be a cause for all sorts of problems if the country you are entering does not have vehicles suited (anything from needing overhead power supplies shut down to police escorts at your expense).

RoRo ships have fairly regular shipping routes - make the assumption that all routes start in Asia (Japan, China, Korea) and go either East to the West Coast Americas or West to SE Asia, Australasia, India, Africa, Europe and sometimes East coast USA, they then reverse. Most shipping companies will have web maps showing their routes and timetables.

RoRo you get to drive the vehicle from the port.

Ro Ro from Port Elizabeth to Southampton is costing 5,300usd in shipping for a truck. By far the cheapest quote by a long shot, but seems pricey still. I know others who claim to have shipped similar trucks from UK to Durban for 2,500gbp.

Plus of course all your port fees which vary according to where you ship from.

It all adds up!

Your biggest challenge is actually getting the companies and/or agents to answer your queries and give you a quote......it all seems very relaxed and non urgent! I guess we're just small potatoes in the grand scheme of shipping and dont represent alot of business. Frustrating, but persevere. Wilhelmsen have been good up until now, Ill let you know how it goes once the truck is actually shipped.

I used rolf guenther a few years ago to ship ex Germany to Australia, but they do worldwide shipping and they used to organise vehicle shipping from anywhere.

try [url=http://www.rolf-guenther.de]Schiffsmakler Rolf G

US$5000 sounds about right - prices vary depending on where the vehicle is picked up in the ship's trip. I know that some Europe bound vehicles from the East coast of India can go backwards to Singapore before being loaded onto a Europe bound ship. There maybe very few West coast of Africa services direct to Europe - especially the UK.