transportation from Dakar
 

hi

during my contacts to find transportation from Dakar to Portugal in containers one of the agents suggested me that it was not needed that the 4x4 were in containers.

some boats transport cars from dakar to portugal out of the containers. any comments about this kind of transportation? is it safe? it's much chepear...


best regards

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bernardo feio lightweight
portugal

They could be talking about a RORO approach where they carry vehicles, just driven on and off. Downside to this is vehicle is very vunerable. Most theft is dockside when vehicle is out of container. So if you go dockside, supervise the container loading - so vehicle is tied down properly, etc, and are present when the container is sealed, and again when its opened the other end, there is far less risk. With a RORO, you have to give them the keys - they drive the vehicle on and off the Ship. Either have to have absolutely nothing worth stealing in the vehicle or live with the risk. Is a lot cheaper option. Personally, I've shipped my 110 twice, once Sydney - UK, once Cape Town - UK and I used a container both times because the risk to me was to high. However if your prepared to take the risk then can save a lot of money.

I don't know anything about relative costs, but it sounds like it's worth changing the locks on the back doors and installing one of those cargo retaining grills between front and back. Securely. It's pretty quick to strip the cab of anything nickable, then you only give the front key and ignition to the dockers. I don't know what customs would say about this approach, you'd still have to be there for arrival off the ship. It does leve the vehicle more vulnerable to anyone wanting to stick a little package underneath to recover after you've gone through customs.
Might have to roro my own vehicle someday, too big for a container.
Cheers
Luke

Alternative for vehicle to big for container is flat pack - means you don't have to hand over the keys but still fairly vunerable. Problem with stripping cabin, etc is if you have lots of exped kit - can't carry loads of it on the flight, both times I shipped, way to much stuff, had to go in the vehicle.

Hence the grill. In a pickup it's even easier, but it must be possible to chuck everything in the back and lock off the whole back end leaving only the cab accessible. That said, a determined sailor's got the whole voyage to figure out how to get in. Pb with flatpacking is that it's always the top container in the stack, leaving it very exposed to the sea. Advantage with flatpack is being the top container it's first off.
Some companies let you sail with the cargo, at least then you arrive at the same time as the boat.
Lots to ponder
Luke

thanks


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best regards from Portugal
bernardo feio lightweight

thanks


any more coments?



------------------
best regards from Portugal
bernardo feio lightweight