Motor vehicles can be shipped by sea in two ways:

Shipping Vehicles In Containers

Depending on their dimensions, up to 3 (three) vehicles may be loaded into a single container. Luxury, expensive vehicles should shipped 2 (two) per container. While it’s technically possible to load 4 (four) vehicles into a single container, we cannot offer insurance for this type of shipments. Freight costs of smaller motorized vehicles such as ATV’s, motorcycles, jet skies and snowmobiles usually equate to those of small size cars, but the actual figures must be reconfirmed upon a booking request. As a rule, 8 motorcycles may be loaded into a 20’ container, or 18 into a 40’ one.

Container Shipping - Safety Rules

1. All fluids must drained from the vehicle and fumes perged from the gas tank, the battery disconnected and the battery terminal cables secured.
2. Keys may not be left inside the vehicle.
3. Vehicle cab and trunk space may be used for additional storage.
4. VIN number may not be obstructed and must be clearly visible

Vehicles are loaded and secured in sea multimodal containers individually or consolidated with other motorized cargo. As a rule, rates offered include port fees at origin. However, should your vehicle need to be stored at the port of origin or at a parking lot for any reason (i.e. lack of proper documents, waiting time for your other vehicles coming to be consolidated in the same container etc), storage fees of $15 per day are the responsibility of the shipper. Most of the time prices in quotes do not include storage fees, related charges and fees at the overseas destination.

Shipping Rates

1. Ocean Rate Per Container

Shipper is responsible for loading and securing vehicles into multimodal containers. This rate is often referred to as Full Container Load rate or FCL rate. FCL rates on vehicle cargo will often include additional surcharges.

2. Ocean Rate Per Car Consolidated With Other Vehicles

In this approach, vehicles are usually consolidated together in 40’ High Cube containers. While this can be the most convenient and economical way to ship vehicles overseas, this service is not always available. This rate will include loading and securing cars in container by a professional quality loading company.

Shipper (or freight forwarder on shipper’s behalf) should arrange delivery of automobile(s) to a parking lot of our company and leave it there along with all required documents. As long as vehicles comply with all the shipping guidelines, Sotby will handle all remaining shipping formalities including customs clearance. Upon successful customs clearance, all shipping documents shall be returned back to the shipper or (if requested) forwarded directly to a consignee or to a destination receiving terminal.

As mentioned above, up to four vehicles may be stored in a single container depending on the sizes of vehicles involved. Usually however, two to three cars share the same container. If a single vehicle is being shipped, ocean freight rate should be offered as a lump sum based on the vehicle’s make, model, year and dimensions. If multiple vehicles of different makes and models need to be transported, the rate is quoted as per container for the most efficient shipping arrangement. The quote will outline the number of cars that will be loaded in a container as well as all the loading fees and customs formalities.

Steps for loading vehicles into containers:

1. Fixed solid wood platform installed

2. Car driven carefully onto the platform

3. Car is properly fastened on all sides

4. Car is properly fastened on all sides

5. Car is driven carefully onto the platform

6. Car is properly fastened on all sides

7. Solid wood platform installed

8. Car driven carefully onto the platform

9. Car is properly fastened on all sides

10. Container is closed and sealed.

11. Container is loaded onto a vessel

Notice: Motorized vehicles will not be permitted to move as LCL freight. This is due to U.S. Customs Regulations that will not recognize any warehouse as an exam site for inspection.

Shipping Vehicles RO-RO

“Roll On/Roll Off” is a term for a shipping approach that involves wheeled cargo such as automobiles, trailers and railway carriages being driven on and off a shipping vessel. This method is an alternative to the “Lift On/Lift Off” approach, which requires a crane to load and unload cargo. Vessels capable of accepting cargo RO-RO come equipped with built-in ramps which allow vehicles to be efficiently rolled on and off the ship. Generally, vehicles targeted for the RO-RO mode of transportation should be operational and are expected to be able to make their way onto the vessel under their own power. While it’s possible to RO-RO inoperable vehicles, additional towing and handling charges will apply.

Cargo that’s being RO-RO’d via a trailer (such as boats, jet skies, motorcycles, etc.) is subject to the same safety requirements as in container shipping.

Vehicles must be completely empty safe for the equipment installed by the manufacturer. They will be measured at port and these measurements differ from those provided by the shipper, additional costs may be incurred and applied to the original quoted price. The total ocean freight amount for a vehicle is calculated as a total volume of the vehicle in CBF or CBM multiplied to the rate per CBF or CBM depending on type of vehicle. Special cube tables are provided by carriers. Model, make and year of the car provided by the shipper are utilized to calculate the total volume in CBF or CBM. These numbers are used to compute the total freight rate of the shipment. As a rule, this rate includes all the departure port fees. However, should the vehicle need to be stored at the port of origin or at a parking lot of quality loading company for any reason (i.e. lack of proper documents, waiting time for your other vehicles coming to be consolidated in the same container etc), storage fees are the responsibility of the shipper. Generally, quoted prices don’t include storage fees, handling and custom related charges and fees at the overseas destination.