Container Shipping

In an ever increasingly connected world, demand for goods shipped globally has risen, with container shipping being the backbone of this global trade, facilitating the movement of goods across oceans and connecting distant economies. While the global shipping of goods in crates, barrels, and chests has been a staple of sea-travel for millennia, modern container shipping as a standardized industry is around 50 years old, led by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Today, more than 50% of goods are moved internationally by sea, according to the World Shipping Council. This has been unprecedented until the 21st century. Titan Transline plays a vital role in moving those goods from all around the world.

Let’s start with the basics: What are shipping containers? As per Trade Finance Global (TFG), “shipping containers are strong metal boxes that are used to transport goods from place to place.” While historically shipping crates have been made of wood, modern shipping containers are made of steel, making them much stronger to handle long ocean and over the road voyages.  Containers can come in a variety of sizes to fit shippers’ needs, based on the goods being shipped, final destinations, and equipment required to move the container. The most common container sizes are the twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) and forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU). But don’t let these sizes limit you, Titan Transline can help connect you with whatever dimensions you need to make your move seamless.

A key component of modern shipping containers is intermodality. What this means is that containers are meant to be seamlessly moved on different modes of transportation, from trucks to trains to ships, allowing your goods to travel with minimal interruptions. Your goods only need to be unloaded at the final destination, reducing costs and time spent waiting for delivery. Titan co-ordinates this every step of the way, tracking when your ship will arrive at port, loading it onto a truck for linehaul delivery, to unloading at your receiver if needed. By letting Titan handle your container every step of the way, you can rest easy knowing your freight is in the best care. 

Containers are most commonly used in trans-ocean freight, so how does Titan handle navigating confusing and busy ports? Titan takes all the hassle away by making appointments, ordering equipment to the site, and keeps you informed at every step. Titan is also conveniently located close to many ports located in Ontario, allowing for even faster communications, and unloading. 

By using Titan to handle your container shipment, you won’t have to worry about any of the headaches associated with trans-ocean shipping. While the news has been dominated with stories about port worker strikes, backups, and delays, Titan takes these concerns off your plate with careful monitoring and appointments to ensure your freight is never lost in the shuffle. Titan also ensures your containers are treated securely, complying with rigorous inspection procedures, making sure your freight clears all customs and inspections with zero delays. 

Titan is also on the forefront of the future of container shipping. Our dispatch team tracks your container from port of origin to delivery with modern satellite tracking software, allowing you to know exactly what stage of shipping your goods are in. This cuts down on the worry of the unknown, never quite sure how close your goods are to their final destination, putting your mind at ease and allowing you the control of knowing exactly where your goods are. 

The future of container shipping seems to be booming, with more and more goods being moved all over the world, and records being broke year-over-year. Sea-faring vessels are moving faster than ever, ports are getting larger and busier, and the world is becoming more interconnected. The landscape of container shipping continues to grow and change to meet these demands, adapting to new technologies, environmental legislation, and patterns within global trade. It can be overwhelming and confusing, which is why Titan has container specialists, ready to help walk you through the complex world of container shipping. We offer reliable and efficient means of transporting your goods globally, even as the industry deals with growing pains and an unknowable future.

You can put your faith in Titan Transline for all your ocean and container moves. We have the experience and knowledge to ensure your trans-ocean move is seamless. Request a quote today to get in touch with one of our ocean specialists!

References

International Chamber of Shipping. (n.d.). Container Ships. Retrieved from https://www.ics-shipping.org/explaining/ships-ops/container-ships/

Renshaw, T. (2023, 07 03). Updated: B.C. port strike already raising North American cargo congestion concerns. Retrieved from Business Intelligence for B.C.: https://biv.com/article/2023/07/updated-bc-port-strike-already-raising-north-american-cargo-congestion-concerns

Trade Finance Global. (2023). Container Shipping – How It Works . Retrieved from https://www.tradefinanceglobal.com/freight-forwarding/container-shipping/

World Shipping Council. (n.d.). How Container Shipping Works. Retrieved from World Shipping Council: https://www.worldshipping.org/how-container-shipping-works