Breakbulk vs. Container vs. Flat Rack Shipping: Which Is Best for Exporting Used Trucks to Africa?

When talking about the export of used trucks from China to Africa, the selection of the shipping method will play its part in transportation cost, loading safety, time of delivery, and the work that needs to be done prior to shipment.

Regarding heavy-duty trucks, which are dump trucks, tractor trucks, cargo trucks, and semi-trailers, there are three shipping methods that can be used for transporting such cargo; these are break bulk, standard container, and flat rack shipping.

Nonetheless, not any of these three shipping methods is the one that can suit all types of trucks. The size of the vehicle, destination port, shipping schedule, local port conditions, and logistics cost should be considered as well.

In this article, the key differences between these three shipping methods will be explained.

1. Breakbulk Shipping for Used Truck Export

Breakbulk shipping is one of the most viable forms of transport for exporting complete heavy-duty trucks and big trailers.

As opposed to conventional shipping through containers, the truck does not have to be packed inside the container. The complete vehicle can normally be shipped to the port and loaded on the vessel based on the loading scheme of the shipping company.

Benefits of Breakbulk Shipping

Suitable for Large Heavy-Duty Trucks

Breakbulk shipping is able to take vehicles that are larger than conventional containers, such as:

• 6×4 Dump trucks

• 8×4 Dump trucks

• Tractors

• Cargo trucks

• Tank trucks

• Mixer trucks

• Semi-trailers

• Lowbed trailers

• Other oversized trucks

2. Standard Container Shipping for Used Trucks

Container shipment provides a very standardized transportation network across the globe.

The vehicle gets loaded into a standard container, normally a 40-foot container or a 40-foot high-cube container, based on the size of the vehicle.

In case of smaller commercial vehicles, parts of truck or some specific models of truck that can be ready to be shipped in standard container, container shipment might be a good choice.

Standard container shipment would be best for:

Smaller trucks, truck chassis or vehicles that can be loaded after proper preparation, spare parts, and some specific disassembled commercial vehicles.

It would not be the first choice for a complete 6×4 or 8×4 heavy-duty truck.

It is therefore more appropriate for the heavy-duty trucks of Africa.

3. Shipping of Flat Rack Containers

A flat rack container differs from an enclosed container. The flat rack container consists of a solid deck structure and end posts without any traditional walls and roofs.

Therefore, cargo is not limited to the regular dimensions of a standard container.

Flat rack shipping is commonly applicable in cases where:

Large trucks, truck frames, construction machinery, and special vehicles cannot be loaded into a standard shipping container, but can be securely fastened to a container platform.

Case: Transporting a Second-hand 6×4 Dump Truck to Africa

Consider a regular second-hand or remodeled 6×4 dump truck.

The dimensions of the vehicle are normally too big to be easily packed in a regular 40 feet container. In case of using a container transport method, some preparations might have to be done to make the vehicle smaller.

Using a flat rack will solve the height and width limitations that come with using a regular container, although it still requires calculating the costs of oversize goods and securing them.

With breakbulk transport, the whole truck can normally be brought to the port and transported as one vehicle piece, thus being a good option for heavy truck transportation.

That is why, if there are good opportunities for transporting a truck by ship, it is often used for transporting complete heavy trucks to African countries.