Intermodal shipping container transport has been moving consumer goods such as toys, electronics, and clothes for decades. On the other hand, many grains and crops are transported in bulk, using a carrier that handles 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes of a single cargo. The commodities market is shifting. Smaller businesses want agricultural commodities, but not in large trade quantities. Smaller exporters have high-quality crops but don’t have enough to ship in bulk. Containers are an opportunity to fill these needs on each side of the equation.
What is containerization?
Containerization is the practice of consolidating cargo shipments in intermodal shipping containers for transport as one unit. First, the product is loaded into a standard container, often at the point of origin but possibly at the transloading facility; then, it gets moved along its journey to the final destination. If the importer’s port of entry doesn’t have transloading facilities or can’t deal with a bulk shipment, this allows them to take delivery.
What are the benefits of containerization?
Containerization offers many advantages, not just to the shipper but to the receiver as well.
- Smaller quantities allow buyers to deal with producers directly.
- The ability to reach many different locations that were once out of reach.
- Smaller farmers can move commodities much quicker without working with a broker.
- Less handling of the cargo, which protects it against theft, exposure to the elements, and against tampering.
- Lower shipping costs.
- Flexibility in shipping.
Containers can be tracked digitally, allowing supply chain managers to have real-time information about where their goods are. In addition, with improved logistics processes in transporting grains, one study suggests that containerization improves grain quality by lowering the deterioration caused by bulk shipping and storage.
Containers, whether full or not, cost a significant amount to ship. Many Asian containers that bring imports to Canada can be filled with commodities for the return trip, making it more cost-effective to ship grains and crops.
Container Shipping Services from WTC Group
WTC Group offers comprehensive logistics services in British Columbia for producers across Canada. We ship products to any corner of the globe, finding the most efficient and cost-effective method to get your grains and crops to where you need them to go. For over 20 years, we’ve specialized in grains and have the facilities to manage the process quickly. Our network of carriers gives us the ability to solve any logistics problem.
Get your crops to market, whether by land, sea, rail, or air. Leverage the power of our resources, which include three terminals designed to handle large or small quantities of commodities, customized software to track shipping, and strong working relationships with rail companies, steamship lines, and port operators.
Contact us to get more information about our logistics services.
