Streamlining Maritime Logistics with Small Cargo Ships
July 30, 2024
Small cargo ships improve the efficiency of sea freight in Europe. These vessels navigate alternative routes to avoid traffic and achieve predictable transit times, dock at smaller ports to bypass congestion and speed up cargo handling, and benefit from lower docking and handling fees.
Alternative Routes
Small cargo ships can choose alternative routes such as smaller channels, rivers, and shallow coastal waters. In Europe, such routes include navigating through the narrow canals of the Netherlands, along the Elbe and Rhine rivers in Germany, and the coastal waters along the Adriatic and Aegean Seas. Since navigation is restricted for larger vessels and traffic is lighter on such routes, smaller ships can move more freely and maintain consistent transit times.
This regularity in scheduling enables forwarders to receive shipments more consistently and quickly and allows them to offer more reliable services.
Navigation and Equipment Requirements
Large container ships and bulk carriers typically require water channels maintained at sufficient depth to allow them to safely approach ports, along with berths that provide ample clearance for ships to moor securely. They also require extensive resources such as heavy-duty cranes and container handling equipment like spreaders, twistlocks, and lifting beams.
Small ships, in contrast, can navigate through shallower waterways and use berths with lesser depth because less of their hull is submerged in water. They may also use smaller cranes or davits for loading and unloading operations and basic handling equipment like pallet jacks and forklifts for moving cargo within the port area. This type of equipment is quicker to operate and allows for faster turnaround times.
As small ships require shallower channels and berths, they can dock at smaller ports within major hubs and thus bypass the congestion typically found at main terminals. Additionally, because they need less complex equipment, which smaller ports possess, this streamlines the loading and unloading process and reduces waiting times. These factors enable freight forwarders to expedite cargo turnover, meet tight schedules, and improve the reliability of deliveries.
Port Fees
Small ships occupy less space at the dock, which results in lower fees based on the area they use. Their faster loading and unloading processes decrease the time spent in port, which leads to lower daily or hourly dockage fees. Additionally, they use fewer port resources such as water, electricity, and waste disposal services, which further lowers associated costs. In terms of maintenance, because small ships have simpler systems and fewer components, their upkeep is less complicated and less expensive at ports.
Lastly, smaller vessels are considered lower safety risks because they carry fewer crew members and less cargo, which results in reduced impact in the event of an accident. For this reason, they undergo less frequent and stringent inspections focused on basic safety, including hull integrity and the availability of safety equipment, rather than detailed checks. This lowers inspection and compliance fees.
For ground freight forwarders, these cost efficiencies lead to more economical logistics operations. This enables them to provide competitive shipping rates and attract additional business from clients who value cost-effective solutions.
