Liner ships carry around 60% of good being moved round the world by sea each year. So what are Liner ships? These are high carrying capacity ocean going vessels the sail the oceans on standard routes and a set timetable. There are around 400 liner services, operated by shipping companies and mainly by using two types of vessels: container ships and roll-on roll-off ships. The liner ships carry thousands of lorry loads of cargo on only one voyage, either stacked in containers or on loaded haulage trucks that can drive on and then drive off – so RoRO ships. Some combine both. Containers, the large metal boxes that hold the cargo are built to standard sizes based on a 20 foot (6.09 m) unit. These containers have to be standard to be interchangeable between rail and road haulage company carrying facilities and dimensions.
Containers are for carrying heavy goods, or goods in bulk in a cost effective way. Companies used to have to be able to fill a whole container before using a Freight Shipping service by sea, but now many companies will accept loads of Less Than Container (LCL) volume.
Companies wanting to arrange exports being moved by sea should contact a range of companies to find out which ports they operate from and to, as well as container and other facilities. Several companies will operate an integrated business transportation service with appropriate use of rail, road haulage and shipping services.