Sharing container from Melbourne to Rotterdam? May 2008

[Lang]

Chris,

You seem to be confusing shipping Australia to a European port and Australia to Switzerland. At a rough guess I would say the trucking from Rotterdam to Switzerland would add a very large percentage to the price.

For your Blitz, when the time comes, you should go and pick it up at the port and drive it home to Switzerland. Roro is very much cheaper, easier and usually faster, only problem is you can have NOTHING in the vehicle apart from a spare tyre, jack and basic tools. It is secure and safe - they ship hundreds of thousands of new cars around the world every year.

I have been getting quotes for the Anzac Normandy convoy and the prices are much the same as last year. Of course the bunker surcharge goes up and down with oil prices.

Unfortunately there are MANY unscrupulous shipping agents out there (including well known companies) who skin one-off and first time shippers alive. We have had 40 foot container prices from a couple of different agents about half the cost you are quoting for a 20 footer.

Try lots of different shipping agents - only costs a phone call. The variations in price you will get are the profit the agent makes - they are all using the same limited number of shipping companies. If an agent finds a super price, don't be too proud to use the Glorious Peacock Rusting Bucket Line out of Shanghai. They will take longer via every port in the world but are usually cheaper. Besides they don't sink any more often than anyone else.

20 footers cost about 70% of 40 footer price. Sharing saves heaps of money.

Lang