A liner service is based on the published schedule of a vessel, or vessels, that carriers use. The ports that the vessel(s) will visit, and the estimated transit time, follow a pattern that allows for space to be sold well in advance. This can apply to all types of cargo vessels.
A tramp service is where a vessel has no fixed schedule or routing for its port calls, meaning that the vessel is made available for loading when it is unloading in the same area. This vessel can then be booked for nearly any destination that the shipper needs, at a moment’s notice, instead of waiting on a liner schedule to facilitate the next load.
Cory Brothers provide liner and tramp agency services for our principles. Please contact us for more information.
If your goods are coming from China to the UK, the ocean freight will take approximately 30 days to get to the Port of Felixstowe, or 36 days to get to the Port of Liverpool. This is because most vessels from China will go to Felixstowe but Liverpool containers will need transhipping in Europe first.
From arrival, your goods will be booked for delivery to you. This is usually within 5 days because of container free time but there may be longer free time available with certain carriers. To collect the container, it must be customs cleared and the Bill Of Lading presented to the carrier.
For LCL shipments, the container will usually be devanned and your goods available for collection within a week. However, even if your shipment is customs cleared, if there is a holdup of one consignment within the groupage container with Port Health, the container will remain in port.
Cory Brothers can give an accurate forecast for whatever movements you need. Contact us today.