Checklist: Choosing the best option for your breakbulk shipments
Are you in the market for a breakbulk carrier but unsure what kind of shipping mode is right for you? Make sure you get a full picture of the options available with this essential checklist.
It goes without saying that there are several options for the ocean transportation of breakbulk cargo. If you’re currently weighing up those options, this handy checklist will help you ask the right questions around voyage, capacity, support and cost – and in doing so, help you pick the best option for your breakbulk shipping needs.
How to read this? Three dots (●●●) indicate a high score, two dots (●●) indicate a medium score and one dot (●) indicates a low score.
Voyage
| LoLo | Container | WW Ocean | |
| Handling costs A high frequency of sailings equates to greater flexibility for shippers. Many of WW Ocean’s customers work with complex equipment that requires shipping on a regular basis, and in choosing a RoRo liner service they know that a vessel will always be ready for their cargo – almost as soon as it rolls off the production line. | ● | ●●● | ●● |
| Network capacity A wide range of origins and destinations allow for the best routing for your cargo. WW Ocean’s liner provides a fixed schedule that covers the world’s most important shipping routes and ports. | ● | ●●● | ●●● |
| Schedule reliability Instead of relying on stand-by agreements with other suppliers, a date can be set for shipments. With WW Ocean, a fixed and reliable schedule means you know exactly when and where your cargo will arrive. | ● | ●●● | ●●● |
| Transit time Transit time has a big impact on capital costs. | ● | ●●● | ●● |
Capacity
| LoLo | Container | WW Ocean | |
| Freedom of size The weight and dimensions of your cargo alone might help you land on your best option. Bulky and awkwardly-sized cargo is more difficult to handle and requires special expertise from the shipping company in question. | ●●● | ● | ●● |
| Heavy-lift capacity The vessel being used must be able to withstand the cargo’s weight. Likewise, the cargo itself needs to withstand the pressures involved with heavy lifting. If your route involves transshipment, complex lifting operations need to be put in place. | ●●● | ● | ●●● |
| Port of call capacity Quay strength must be sufficient enough to withstand the weight of both cargo and equipment. | ●●● | ● | ●● |
Support
| LoLo | Container | WW Ocean | |
| Customer support and heavy-lift experience Having a single knowledgeable point of contact significantly speeds up the shipping process. | ●●● | ● | ●● |
| Engineering support Understanding every aspect of the shipment and how to secure cargo during the voyage is vital. | ●●● | ● | ●●● |
| Familiarity with heavy-lift moves Heavy-lift moves have their own routines and all parties need to know standard customs and requirements. | ●●● | ● | ●● |
Costs
| LoLo | Container | WW Ocean | |
| Handling costs Crane and port charges in the port of load and port of discharge are part of the total cost picture – and shouldn’t be forgotten about. | ●●● | ●● | ● |
| Ocean freight costs Pure ocean freight costs, including surcharges, also add to the total cost. | ●● | ●●● | ●● |
| Quality of cargo handling Damage to cargo has a major impact on the supply chain and total costs. | ● | ●● | ●●● |
| Risk of delay Almost all heavy-lift moves are time-sensitive and hefty penalties can occur if the cargo is not delivered on time. While RoRo departures are guaranteed, the LoLo option may well bring with it associated delay risks or last-minute route changes. | ● | ●● | ●● |
| Total cost transparency The total cost of your shipment goes beyond the quoted ocean rate. Understanding what costs contribute in what way to the total cost picture saves you from nasty surprises later down the line. | ● | ●● | ●●● |
WW Ocean’s fleet of RoRo vessels have transported heavy breakbulk for decades, and the liner service offers some clear benefits when compared to LoLo and container options. Not only does WW Ocean offer the best fleet, but the combination of shipping expertise and the latest cargo-handling equipment ensure a quality shipment – each and every time.
