Shipping large rib

PCDiver · 12 July 2004, 08:57

Hi all,

I need some advise on how to ship a large rib overseas. We need to ship our rib (Explorer Marine - 10 meters long - 2.8 meters wide with deflated tubes - 3.2 meters wide with inflated tubes) from Cornwall to Curacao. A normal sea container (80 feet) would be the most economic option. The problem is the width of the boat. It does not fit in the container. The container door is only 2.34 meters wide. So we have to put it in at an angle. Any advise on how this can be done? The other option would be to put the rib on a flatbed container. But that doubles or triples the shipping cost, because they charge for all the space they cannot use.

All info very welcome.

Alan · 12 July 2004, 09:11

Errm, normal sea container is 20 or 40ft not 80ft. I know you can get extra high containers but not as far as I am aware extra wide. Sounds like what you really need is a RoRo service so you can ship it on its trailer. Would've thought Southampton to Miami would be doable and then presumably there is some supply or feeder service from Miami to Curacao? Gonna be expensive though!

PCDiver · 12 July 2004, 09:28

Yep you're right. It's 40 not 80. I know it's gonna be expensive. Shipping a normal 40 ft sea container is around 4000€. For an oversized flatbed container we got quoted 8200 UKP. Ouch.

The rib does not come with a trailer. It's too heavy, too wide and too long to comfortably pull it with a 4 x 4. It will be in a marina when not in use.

Alan · 12 July 2004, 09:53

Might be worth getting a yard trailer made up? Not road legal but Ok for shifting it around a yard and storage on ship. Alternatively I think some RoRo services have skid trailers that they can put non wheeled cargo on. The people who ship yachts around are Peters and May in Southampton - http://www.petersandmay.co.uk/ - might be worth getting a quote from them?

tim griffin · 12 July 2004, 10:46

can you not have a cradle made on an angle like the ones they use to move around the large powerboats,so it will fit ,through the containers doors could be a cheaper option and you then could sell the cradle on and recover some of the costs
regards tim
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk

PCDiver · 12 July 2004, 10:59

Hi Tim,

any idea what such a cradle would cost? Do you perhaps have a picture of such a cradle?

Alan,

I requested a quote from Peters & May. They have a Caribbean service, but only to Tortola. We might have to drive the rib from Tortola to Bonaire. That would be interesting.

tim griffin · 12 July 2004, 11:09

no ideas on cost you would have to speak to your local welders as it would be a one off cradle built for your hull shape maybe ,Cookee or Adam Younger
who are both in the racing game could point you in the right direction, both are on ribnet and would more than likely have a better idea of who could make or even supply such a cradle, sorry not much use to you.
regards tim ps what about john at www.quinquari.co.uk they build fit out large ribs maybe they would have some ideas
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk

batfalcon · 12 July 2004, 11:26

... Maybe it will cost you less if the "Soltron Atlantic Challenge" crew, made that pass with your boat as well.

codprawn · 12 July 2004, 11:30

What you need to do is find the oldest and roughest looking general purpose merchant ship and offer the captain some money to take it as deck cargo - this is done more often than you may think - after all look how many times ships carry illegal immegrants.

Also don't totally discount air - sometimes it is no more expensive than sea but may be for something that big!

Alan · 12 July 2004, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Also don't totally discount air - sometimes it is no more expensive than sea but may be for something that big!

Erm, I ship lots of containers and unfortunately lots of air at times from Far East to UK and I can tell you that airfreight is generally 20 times the cost of seafreight!

roohairy · 12 July 2004, 11:49

Codprawn,

Merchant ships do not knowingly carry Illegal immigrants! There are reports in the media of this happening but these are usually illegal vessels that could never come to the UK anyway.
I'm afraid that General Cargo vessels have almost completely died out now, your chances of finding one going where you want it to are slim.
I think the custom frame for the container is your best bet, it should fit in a 40' but there are overlength containers as well as overheight available but it depends on the vessels on the route as to whether they carry them.
The prices you quote seem a bit steep, Uk Miami for a 20' was about £600 last time I saw prices, guess it must be going a roundabout route but you might want to get other quotes.
Curacao being an old Dutch colony, you may be able to ship it cheaper from Holland? I know they still have quite strong links, lots of people from Curacao in Holland.

Alan · 12 July 2004, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by roohairy

.
Curacao being an old Dutch colony, you may be able to ship it cheaper from Holland? I know they still have quite strong links, lots of people from Curacao in Holland.

I think Hapag Lloyd go to Curacao.

Peter J · 12 July 2004, 12:34

I know a very good Freight Forwarder. He send all sorts of personal effects to all over the world.

Alan Biggs at Penguin Shipping 01794 830555

Tell him Peter Joyce from PoolStore gave you his number.

PCDiver · 12 July 2004, 14:01

Thanks Peter for your contact. We will certainly give Alan a ring to find out.

codprawn · 12 July 2004, 19:03

[QUOTE=roohairy] Codprawn,

Merchant ships do not knowingly carry Illegal immigrants! There are reports in the media of this happening but these are usually illegal vessels that could never come to the UK anyway.
I'm afraid that General Cargo vessels have almost completely died out now, your chances of finding one going where you want it to are slim.

They do when they are privately owned and broke! Yes they are much harder to find these days - suppose it depends what part of the world you are in - it is still common practice in South America and Africa and possibly the caribbean as well - many a time we have waited with baited breath as a crane has dumped our precious Landie on the deck!

Trying to find one in the UK would be a bloody nightmare though!

limeydal · 13 July 2004, 02:28

I have been researching shipping a rib(much smaller though ;5.5m ) and it seems that the RO/RO method is the most feasible and economical.
I spoke with Simon at complete freight who specialises in shipping boats.
They hire you a cradle to fit your boat and arrange all documentation and customs formalities.
He can be reached at sales@completefreight.net

They operate out of Southampton and have been very efficient at handling all my questions. They also have a website at http://www.completefreight.net/
Their prices seemed very reasonable compared to others I have tried , so you may want to ask for an estimate.
Below is a photo they sent of the type of cradle they would use for a boat my size.
Good luck,
Dal

limeydal · 13 July 2004, 02:36

OOps !! Will try again with that photo

Neville · 13 July 2004, 10:08

We shipped a boat last year from the US to the UK. The easiest way to do it is to put it in to an 'open top container' the premium is slightly more than a standard 40' but not normally as expensive as a flatrack. The boat will be sitting at an angle so you will not be 'over gauge' and therefore will not be charged for an extra space next to you. Also it is easy to put in to as the boat is just craned in from above.

You will need to knock up a substancial wooden cradle which must be properly fixed - the stresses at sea are quite large.

Try phoning around various freight forwarders for prices , they do differ quite alot.

We use W. Saunders & Co, on 01394 672244. We have been quite happy with the service and the price for several years now.

They can supply you with the sizes of the container, and you can do a drawing to check that it will definitely fit before it turns up!

Good luck.

Manos · 13 July 2004, 10:56

If you have the boat on an open top or flat bed container if the cargo is over height. The carrier will charge you a bit less than if you had 2 containers (in your case 40ft) if your cargo is not over width. If is the cargo is over width then you will pay a similar charge as for 6x40 ft containers.

Lashing is important and I would recommend that you employ a proper stevedoring outfit to do this. Also insure the boat during carriage for damages (it costs Euro 60-100 depending on the value and it worth it!). Is the shippers responsibility for securing the cargo in the container and the carrier has no liability if anything happens to it.

IMHO DO NOT USE BROKERS (or FREIGHT FORWARDERS as they want to be called) such Peters & May etc. Go directly to the line (SEA-LAND comes to mind also ZIM Lines? Hapag Lloyd, P&O, MAERSK etc). Find which of these lines go that way and call them. You will save money and trouble (and I'm talking from my VERY recent unfortunate experience here). Also in case something going wrong you talk direct to the carrier rather than a broker who then has to go to the carrier who then has to come back to you (and they take loooong time in doing that as they d not wish to know).

The boat can be stood on V-shape cradles and if you have the boat with you they can be made in the local wood shop from hard wood made to measure. They cost nothing. Forget all this fancy staff of cradles as you will only use those once and probably they will be ruined during discharging of the boat and be thrown away. Unless of course someone else pays and money is not important

Good luck

Alan Priddy · 13 July 2004, 11:48

Cannot see what the problems are! We have shipped Spirit many times accross the Atlantic and it is the easiest thing in the world. Stop looking for sill y problems and speak to the experts. Peters & May are the best.
Personaly I would ship it to New York and float it down, if is is anything like the builders say it should only take a couple of days. the bonus is that it becomes a ship in transit and you might be able to take advantage of the import duty.
Alan P