The maritime transport of machinery is one of the more popular choices in an era of globalisation and expansion into new markets. However, every company needs to think carefully about the decision it makes, as sea transport requires specific equipment security and organisation of the entire relocation.
Advantages of maritime transport of machinery
One of the biggest advantages of shipping by sea is its cost-effectiveness, especially when it comes to transporting machinery. Shipping by sea is much cheaper compared to air transport, especially when we are talking about large and heavy machinery.
Over long distances, such as intercontinental international transport, sea transport costs are much more cost-effective. Maritime vessels, due to their operational scale, allow large quantities of machinery to be loaded at the same time, reducing the unit cost of transport.
In addition, seagoing ships can carry extremely heavy cargo that would be impossible to transport by other means, such as aircraft or trucks. Transporting machinery by sea, especially unusual, heavy and bulky machinery, is much easier and cheaper. Large transport ships allow the loading of up to hundreds of tonnes of machinery.
Another major advantage of shipping is the flexibility of packaging and loading machinery. Maritime carriers offer a range of options, from containers to wooden crates, as well as the possibility of using the roll-on/roll-off system, which involves bringing machinery on board the vessel and offloading it from trailers.
Thanks to this flexibility, packaging of industrial machinery becomes much simpler and more tailored to the needs of the specific load. The variety of transport methods available allows machines to be effectively secured and delivered intact.
The maritime transport of machinery opens up huge opportunities for companies to expand into global markets. Thanks to the network of seaports, it is possible to reach the remotest corners of the world. Shipping by sea is particularly beneficial for companies that want to operate on multiple continents and need regular, large deliveries of machinery.
Disadvantages of the maritime transport of machinery
Despite its many advantages, shipping by sea has one significant disadvantage - time. Shipping machinery by sea is much slower than air transport. Ships often take weeks or even months to get their cargoes to their destination ports.
This is particularly problematic when machines are urgently needed for projects with strict deadlines. Transporting machines with a high time priority can lead to delays, which in extreme cases involves serious losses for companies.
The maritime transport of machinery also involves some weather-related risks. Storms, tempests or other harsh weather conditions can affect the safety of the machinery being transported.
Despite the use of special packaging and protection methods, specialised packaging of industrial machinery cannot always protect it from strong wave impacts or mechanical damage resulting from unforeseen situations. Companies must therefore take into account the possibility of such risks and the possible consequences in terms of cargo damage. Although it happens extremely rarely, responsible and informed business requires the development of procedures for every circumstance.
Another disadvantage of shipping is the complicated customs procedure that all machines transported by sea have to go through. Each country has its own customs regulations, which can vary significantly, making the whole process more complex.
Delays related to customs checks, clearance and documentation can further extend delivery times. Moreover, this often involves additional costs that may exceed the pre-planned transport budget.
It is also important to be aware that sometimes sea transport may also require additional storage in ports. Often, machinery must be temporarily stored in a port before it is transported to the final recipient. This involves paying for storage costs, as well as the risk of damage during handling. The complex logistics involved in shipping, especially in large ports, can lead to further complications and delays.
In summary, shipping machinery by sea is a popular and cost-effective solution for many companies operating internationally. With its low freight cost and ability to transport large loads, it is ideal for companies needing to transport large and heavy machinery over long distances.
However, maritime transport also presents certain challenges, such as long delivery times, environmental risks, complex customs procedures and the need to store cargo. Therefore, the decision to choose this mode of transport should be carefully considered and companies should take all these factors into account when planning their logistics.
