Apparently J B Hunt has acquired services of 3 container ships that will have their domestic conainers loaded in China and go to west coast ports. This will eliminate the warehousing of international prodcts to be transloaded to domestic containers.
Domestics on ships not compatible with international containers. That will eliminate any international containers getting on the Hunt ships. Ship pictured appears to carry 100+ containers. the 4 high stack of containers is puzzling . At one time these containers were laeled do not stack more than 2 high . That may hhave changed.
J.B. Hunt to Expand Container Count - Railway Age
EDIT: Realize that the ships may have less draft there by being able to use ports that cannot handle mega ships. Anyone have access of the 2 ports listed draft limitations?
Shipping new 53's with imported goods has been going on for sometime now. When available; JBH, Schneider, FedEx, etc.. Will try to get a loaded movement from China. These containers after manufacture get drayed to a facility and load up with goods. Those who ship new 53's with product get a discounted rate compared to shipping empty containers. The news is actually JBH entering into a long term vessel contract. Chartering a heavy lift ship to expedite movement by having its own capacity.
So, these are domestic containers destined to be used their entire life in North America, EXCEPT their maiden voyage across the Pacific they will be loaded with import freight...right? Am I reading this correctly?
Convicted One So, these are domestic containers destined to be used their entire life in North America, EXCEPT their maiden voyage across the Pacific they will be loaded with import freight...right? Am I reading this correctly?
Yep
They appear to be relatively small ships.
SD60MAC9500Shipping new 53's with imported goods has been going on for sometime now. When available; JBH, Schneider, FedEx, etc.. Will try to get a loaded movement from China. These containers after manufacture get drayed to a facility and load up with goods. Those who ship new 53's with product get a discounted rate compared to shipping empty containers. The news is actually JBH entering into a long term vessel contract. Chartering a heavy lift ship to expedite movement by having its own capacity. Both Ports of Everett, and Hueneme have a maximum vessel draft of 40'. I can say for certain these vessels carrying those 53's are only at around 25' of draft laden. In the photo it looks to be reefer containers. They're empty. More than likely these were manufactured by CIMC. Loaded reefer boxes you can't exceed 3 high. When dry domestic containers first hit the scene they were constructed similarly to trailers. Creating the 2 high limitation in the beginning. Once construction changed over to more sturdy corrugated steel. That limitation was eliminated.
My view of the photo make it look like the bulk of the containers on the vessel are for dry cargo. The two stacks loaded crossiwse to the vessel center line, up against the 'house' would appear to be refrigerated, with the refer units showing to the camera. Being next to the 'house' would permit the refers to be operated on ship power for the ocean crossing.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
One would think that with all the rhetoric about repatriating production to these shores, something as basic as shipping containers would be an ideal candidate. Especially with underutilized prior means of production such as forrmer Fruehauf factories now being used to sort trash.
I guess this story pretty much confirms that ain't happening.
BaltACD SD60MAC9500 Shipping new 53's with imported goods has been going on for sometime now. When available; JBH, Schneider, FedEx, etc.. Will try to get a loaded movement from China. These containers after manufacture get drayed to a facility and load up with goods. Those who ship new 53's with product get a discounted rate compared to shipping empty containers. The news is actually JBH entering into a long term vessel contract. Chartering a heavy lift ship to expedite movement by having its own capacity. Both Ports of Everett, and Hueneme have a maximum vessel draft of 40'. I can say for certain these vessels carrying those 53's are only at around 25' of draft laden. In the photo it looks to be reefer containers. They're empty. More than likely these were manufactured by CIMC. Loaded reefer boxes you can't exceed 3 high. When dry domestic containers first hit the scene they were constructed similarly to trailers. Creating the 2 high limitation in the beginning. Once construction changed over to more sturdy corrugated steel. That limitation was eliminated. My view of the photo make it look like the bulk of the containers on the vessel are for dry cargo. The two stacks loaded crossiwse to the vessel center line, up against the 'house' would appear to be refrigerated, with the refer units showing to the camera. Being next to the 'house' would permit the refers to be operated on ship power for the ocean crossing.
SD60MAC9500 Shipping new 53's with imported goods has been going on for sometime now. When available; JBH, Schneider, FedEx, etc.. Will try to get a loaded movement from China. These containers after manufacture get drayed to a facility and load up with goods. Those who ship new 53's with product get a discounted rate compared to shipping empty containers. The news is actually JBH entering into a long term vessel contract. Chartering a heavy lift ship to expedite movement by having its own capacity. Both Ports of Everett, and Hueneme have a maximum vessel draft of 40'. I can say for certain these vessels carrying those 53's are only at around 25' of draft laden. In the photo it looks to be reefer containers. They're empty. More than likely these were manufactured by CIMC. Loaded reefer boxes you can't exceed 3 high. When dry domestic containers first hit the scene they were constructed similarly to trailers. Creating the 2 high limitation in the beginning. Once construction changed over to more sturdy corrugated steel. That limitation was eliminated.
They are reefers. Look at the roofs of the containers they're aluminum, and they are empty. Also as there are no 480VAC plugs onboard these vessels.
SD60MAC9500... They are reefers. Look at the roofs of the containers they're aluminum, and they are empty. Also as there are no 480VAC plugs onboard these vessels.
If the reefers are loaded - I don't know that the crew would want 10 refrigeration units operating right next to their quarters to keep the reefers contents cold for the two weeks or so it takes for the vessel to cross the pond.
I feature a competent Ships Engineer can 'gin up' whatever would be necessary to prevent running the diesel powered refrigeration units while on the water.
Maybe that load just happened to be reefers and it's irrelevant because they were loaded with drygoods. I can't think of any refrigerated cargo that we would import from China, but I could be wrong.
BackshopMaybe that load just happened to be reefers and it's irrelevant because they were loaded with drygoods. I can't think of any refrigerated cargo that we would import from China, but I could be wrong.
If we had details on the cargos going on ships - I think we would uncover some big surprises in what is actually moving when compared to what we think is moving - in either direction.
What do the Hunt ships carry on the return trip?
BaltACD SD60MAC9500 ... They are reefers. Look at the roofs of the containers they're aluminum, and they are empty. Also as there are no 480VAC plugs onboard these vessels. If the reefers are loaded - I don't know that the crew would want 10 refrigeration units operating right next to their quarters to keep the reefers contents cold for the two weeks or so it takes for the vessel to cross the pond. I feature a competent Ships Engineer can 'gin up' whatever would be necessary to prevent running the diesel powered refrigeration units while on the water.
SD60MAC9500 ... They are reefers. Look at the roofs of the containers they're aluminum, and they are empty. Also as there are no 480VAC plugs onboard these vessels.
The reefer units for the containers are installed here in the states. China just builds the reefer box.
Lab What do the Hunt ships carry on the return trip?
Not sure.. However JBH is definetly going to be getting some sort of a backhaul out of these vessels. Being Heavy Lift ships they can carry just about anything from bulk to heavy machinery. These vessels were modified to carry 53' boxes which means their twist locks on deck have been configured as such. Not sure if they can carry: 20' 40' or 45' boxes
SD60MAC9500 Lab What do the Hunt ships carry on the return trip? Not sure.. However JBH is definetly going to be getting some sort of a backhaul out of these vessels. Being Heavy Lift ships they can carry just about anything from bulk to heavy machinery. These vessels were modified to carry 53' boxes which means their twist locks on deck have been configured as such. Not sure if they can carry: 20' 40' or 45' boxes
I believe the the container community has standardized on the twist lock locations at 20 and 40 feet. Two 20 footers can be loaded in the 40 foot footprint. The twistlock locations for the 40 foot containers are also the twistlock locations for the 48 and 53 foot boxes.
If you watch US intermodal trains, you will frequently see a pair of 20 foot boxes on the bottom stack and there can be 40, 48 or 53 foot boxes loaded on top of the two 20's. Remember, the gross allowed weight for all the boxes are practically the same. Lading in the boxes is dependent upon if it cubes out or if it weighs out.
BaltACD SD60MAC9500 Lab What do the Hunt ships carry on the return trip? Not sure.. However JBH is definetly going to be getting some sort of a backhaul out of these vessels. Being Heavy Lift ships they can carry just about anything from bulk to heavy machinery. These vessels were modified to carry 53' boxes which means their twist locks on deck have been configured as such. Not sure if they can carry: 20' 40' or 45' boxes I believe the the container community has standardized on the twist lock locations at 20 and 40 feet. Two 20 footers can be loaded in the 40 foot footprint. The twistlock locations for the 40 foot containers are also the twistlock locations for the 48 and 53 foot boxes. If you watch US intermodal trains, you will frequently see a pair of 20 foot boxes on the bottom stack and there can be 40, 48 or 53 foot boxes loaded on top of the two 20's. Remember, the gross allowed weight for all the boxes are practically the same. Lading in the boxes is dependent upon if it cubes out or if it weighs out.
When it comes to IBC (Inter-Box Connectors) they have a little bit of variation from standard twistlocks. This allow connecting wider 53's to narrower ISO boxes. However, and I should have stated this when I said modified for 53's. Our domestic containers are what's called WTP(Wide Twistlock Position) This is wider than the standard twistlock positon on ISO containers. 2258mm for ISO boxes. 2448mm for our 53's. 53's are 8'6" wide. ISO boxes are only 8' wide.
SD60MAC9500, You sure know what you are talking about.
China uses 53ft containers/trailers on their roadway network just like North America. I can foresee a lot of US/China business transitioning from using maritime containers for the ocean voyage and transloadingto 53ft trailers or containers for North American distribution.
A lot of stuff I hauled going to various Wal Mart distribution centers was freight transloaded from 40ft to 53ft at the port. Going to a single 53ft container from shipper in China to customer in North America is going to be a big time and money saver.
Look for this to grow.
How often will a 53' container go directly from a Chinese manufacturer to a specific US WalMart? I would guess that when a container arrives at the Port of LA and goes to a distribution center in the LA basin, that load is broken up into many destinations, combined with other loads for different domestic destinations.
Vern Moore China uses 53ft containers/trailers on their roadway network just like North America. I can foresee a lot of US/China business transitioning from using maritime containers for the ocean voyage and transloadingto 53ft trailers or containers for North American distribution. A lot of stuff I hauled going to various Wal Mart distribution centers was freight transloaded from 40ft to 53ft at the port. Going to a single 53ft container from shipper in China to customer in North America is going to be a big time and money saver. Look for this to grow.
Maximum trailer length in China is only 45'. They do not use 53's.
Also there's nothing to transition away from as going to 53's would drive up cost. One you'd have to modify vessels and equipment on the quay including all new chassis fleets.. Second going to 53's would increase vessel count and destroy liner service schedules. Third where do you plan to park all these 53' containers? What will they backhaul?
Walmart still gets the vast majority of its goods by ISO box and will continue to do so. The main reason(s) you see these select moves of 53's from factory to landside DC. They already have orders for these boxes so it makes sense to load em' up with goods.. It allows specific product that needs to bypass port and landside congestion decreasing lead time..
MidlandMike How often will a 53' container go directly from a Chinese manufacturer to a specific US WalMart? I would guess that when a container arrives at the Port of LA and goes to a distribution center in the LA basin, that load is broken up into many destinations, combined with other loads for different domestic destinations.
Jones Act prevents use of International Sea Containers for domestic intermodal??
Backshop MidlandMike How often will a 53' container go directly from a Chinese manufacturer to a specific US WalMart? I would guess that when a container arrives at the Port of LA and goes to a distribution center in the LA basin, that load is broken up into many destinations, combined with other loads for different domestic destinations. I agree.
I agree.
More likely 25 Chinese 53 foot containers would go to a Walmart DC for their contents to be forwarded to the likely 200 Walmart/Sams Club that the DC support in Walmart trailer/containers. Doubt that there is any single retail store that could handle the full contents of a box from the other side of the pond.
When I went racing at Topeka back in May, Walmart is building a new DC adjacent to the new M&M/Mars plant - both are HUGE. The Mars plant does have BNSF rail access, how much it is used ?????
anglecock Jones Act prevents use of International Sea Containers for domestic intermodal??
No. The Jones Act states that vessels loading and discharging between US ports must be; owned, built, crewed, and flagged by the US.. Example. If a tanker loads with oil at the Port of Valdez, AK destined for Cherry Point, WA. That vessel is required to have all the criteria I stated above. No foreign vessels are allowed to do such..
Concerning the use of ISO boxes for domestic service. Yes that can and does happen on a small scale. Its called small box. The ocean carriers have to allow solicitation of this service however. Typically through a contract with a 3PL. The logitics company I was employed by we had small box solution available.
blue streak 1 MidlandMike How often will a 53' container go directly from a Chinese manufacturer to a specific US WalMart? I would guess that when a container arrives at the Port of LA and goes to a distribution center in the LA basin, that load is broken up into many destinations, combined with other loads for different domestic destinations. There is no reason that originations in China could not load enough goods for one or 2 Wal Mart distribution centers.
Backshopno store could use all the merchandise in one.
I'm assuming this sets aside truly large retailers. In my retail days, I worked at a big box bookstore and we processed anywhere from 10 to 12 pallets a week in the regular season and closer to 20 a week in September preparing for Christmas. I mean, we had stored, inside our jam packed stockroom, 35+ pallets worth of material at times. We'd get 3 to 5 pallets delivered every day for weeks. Probably would have been more efficient to just drop a container behind the store and let us have at it.
NittanyLion Backshop no store could use all the merchandise in one. I'm assuming this sets aside truly large retailers. In my retail days, I worked at a big box bookstore and we processed anywhere from 10 to 12 pallets a week in the regular season and closer to 20 a week in September preparing for Christmas. I mean, we had stored, inside our jam packed stockroom, 35+ pallets worth of material at times. We'd get 3 to 5 pallets delivered every day for weeks. Probably would have been more efficient to just drop a container behind the store and let us have at it.
Backshop no store could use all the merchandise in one.
Not often, and the only reason a move like this would exist is for items that need to bypass deferment. While there have been moves of 53's directly to stores bypassing DC's. It's few and far between. These containers were loaded by department, and required immediate stock-in.
Backshop NittanyLion Backshop no store could use all the merchandise in one. I'm assuming this sets aside truly large retailers. In my retail days, I worked at a big box bookstore and we processed anywhere from 10 to 12 pallets a week in the regular season and closer to 20 a week in September preparing for Christmas. I mean, we had stored, inside our jam packed stockroom, 35+ pallets worth of material at times. We'd get 3 to 5 pallets delivered every day for weeks. Probably would have been more efficient to just drop a container behind the store and let us have at it. That's not what we're talking about. Yes, you might be able to handle a truck/container load, but only from a DC that has assembled the thousands of individual titles that you need. The containers coming from China are bulk shipments with only one or a few different products in them. That's the purpose of DCs--to break bulk the mass shipments and ship onward "retail size" shipments.
That's not what we're talking about. Yes, you might be able to handle a truck/container load, but only from a DC that has assembled the thousands of individual titles that you need. The containers coming from China are bulk shipments with only one or a few different products in them. That's the purpose of DCs--to break bulk the mass shipments and ship onward "retail size" shipments.
I read it as shifting that repack from happening at US distribution centers to moving entire store-tailored boxes stuffed in China (or whatever place). Although I wouldn't agree it would be a good idea.
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