Cargo shipping

Container service is recommended if the yacht is small enough to fit inside an ocean container. Our warehouse provides professional services for loading and securing yachts into ocean containers. We recommend our customers to take advantage of these services to minimize the chance of any damage during the voyage. Larger yachts may be loaded onto flat rack containers. This option, however, is limited by equipment and space availability on the cargo vessel and can be quite costly.

Yacht loaded into a container:

Plane loaded into a container:

Shipping Yachts RO-RO

Another option is referred to as a Roll-On/Roll-Off service. No container is used with this option and the yacht is loaded inside the specialized car carrier vessel that’s designed to carry various types of rolling stock: cars, trucks, motor homes, yachts, industrial equipment, etc. Handling, loading and unloading is done by the terminal workers – longshoremen. Upon request Sotby can arrange inland transport of your yacht. Oversized yachts over 26ft (7,5m) must be delivered to the port of export on the trailer or a cradle. If none is available – most terminals can build a cradle for an extra fee. Please see our Heavy Equipment page for more details.

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.

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.

SHIPPING RATES

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.

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.

Car loaded into container:

Cars loaded into container:

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.

As a Non Vessel Operated Common Carrier (NVOCC) Sotby, Inc specializes in shipping Ro- Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) cargo to variety of destinations. Sotby works with a network of carriers whose fleets are designed for maxim safety. Equipment is transported on vessels that represent the latest in Ro Ro design which are capable of carrying up to 8,000 CEU’s. All vessels contain wide ramps, ample heights with easy access to all decks and most modern lashing and securing devices to protect all cargo regardless of size, weight or type. Loading, stowing and discharging cargo are delicate procedures that demand both experienced personnel as well as purpose-built equipment. With that said Sotby partners with carriers that can supply the equipment necessary to ensure that all cargo is handled in the safest and most efficient manner possible.

Schedules and Terminals

Sotby partners with carriers that operate with very precise schedules and have proven over and over again that cargo will deliver under specified deadlines. All cargo that’s being shipped Ro Ro needs to enter port at the least 3 days prior to vessel’s arrival. Cargo such as trucks that enter terminals need to have at least 6” of fuel in each fuel tank and is fully operable by terminal staff. All terminals provide 10 business days of free storage. If cargo stays on a terminal past 10 free days it will be subject to storage charges that will be billed to the client on their freight invoice.

Specific terminal instructions can be downloaded below:

Customs Clearance

In addition to cargo shipping, our staff at Sotby will remove any and all stress that might be associated with paperwork handling of your Ro Ro cargo. Depending on port of loading we will either submit all paperwork ourselves or provide full instructions to the customer if cargo is being delivered by third party intermodal service. Once paperwork is processed and cargo ships, our staff will insure to send all original documents including B/L – bill of Lading to the client’s desired address.

Inland Transport

Inland transportation is essential service in Ro Ro cargo transport. At Sotby we believe customers should be offered worry free cargo handling. Our inland transportation team that specializes in carriage of automotive, agricultural, construction and other rolling equipment will transport your equipment from and to any destination point in United States and Canada.