SEA TRANSPORT : FCL SHIPPING
In international container shipping, the terms LCL and FCL are used to define the type of shipment. There are up to 4 different modes, the choice of which will be determined by the number of shippers and consignees combined with the volume of goods. FCL transport is used when the goods occupy a full container.
WHAT IS THE FCL?
The acronym FCL stands for Full Container Load. The FCL transport mode is used when the container is used to transport goods by or for a single company.
There are 3 shipping modes in the FCL:
- FCL/FCL: goods from a single consignor to a single consignee
- FCL/LCL: goods from a single shipper for several consignees
- LCL/FCL: goods from several shippers for a single consignee
SPECIFICS OF THE FCL
In proportion to the volume shipped, the cost of an FCL shipment remains lower than that of an LCL shipment, insofar as the LCL shipment is calculated per cubic metre whereas the FCL is calculated per container. Above a certain cubic metre, it is therefore more advantageous to ship in a full container than in a groupage shipment. Goods loaded into an FCL container belong to a single consignee or exporter.
We strongly recommend that you contact a freight forwarder to assess the best mode of transport. Depending on the weight and volume delivered, he will calculate the best mode of transport/price ratio.
WHEN SHOULD THE FCL BE USED?
There are several advantages to using FCL:
- Lower cost of filling a full container compared with LCL, which is calculated by the cubic metre.
- Faster, more secure shipping: a single delivery point, no loading or unloading at other locations.
- Ship frequency is guaranteed, unlike with LCL, where goods may be held up in the consolidator’s warehouse until there are enough to fill a container.
To find out more about LCL solutions: see our article
