Exploring Container Haulage: Your Guide to the Options

When it comes to container haulage, the choices can seem endless. But no matter your business type or cargo requirements, there’s a tailored solution waiting for you. The right provider can make the shipping process smooth, reliable, and convenient, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your business.

At Containerlift, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of container haulage services designed to meet your specific needs. With depots across the UK and a commitment to efficiency, safety, and bespoke solutions, we’re here to make your transport experience seamless. Let’s delve into the different options available for container road haulage.

Standard Container Haulage

As the demand for container transport grows, so too does the need for reliable and efficient services. Standard container haulage remains the most cost-effective choice for many businesses, particularly large-scale importers and exporters.

What It Entails

Standard haulage covers the transportation of loaded containers from any UK port to their final destination. With coverage across all major UK container ports, this service is perfect for straightforward deliveries. Even if your cargo is oversized or unusually shaped, specialist equipment can handle it with ease.

Safety and Bulk Load Solutions

At Containerlift, we go beyond standard haulage. Our services also include handling dangerous goods and bulk loads, ensuring your cargo is transported with the utmost care. When you choose us, you’re opting for a provider that puts safety first, offering customised solutions that prioritise your needs.

Side Lifter ‘Wait and Load’ Haulage

For businesses without a loading bay or those requiring containers to be delivered at ground level, side lifter haulage is a game-changer.

How It Works

Side lifters are equipped with two heavy-duty cranes that lift containers directly onto the ground, making loading and unloading simple and efficient. This method is especially useful for sites where traditional unloading isn’t feasible.

Key Benefits

• Cost Savings: By eliminating the need for separate crane hire, side lifters offer a more economical option.
• Safety First: Unloading from the ground significantly reduces risks compared to unloading at height.
• Flexibility: Ideal for a wide variety of cargo, from general goods to specialised equipment.

Our fleet of self-loading container vehicles operates nationwide, ensuring a dependable service from any UK port.

Case Study: Secure Transport to Marrakech

Shipping containers offer many advantages for transporting high value or sensitive loads. With steel walls, floors and roof a shipping container is extremely secure. The container doors are easily locked and the load is protected from the weather.

A high value load transported within a shipping container on a Steelbro sidelifter takes safety and security one step further.

This added security offered by a Steelbro sidelifter was taken to the extreme in a recent high value load movement carried out by Containerlift. The job was quite straightforward, collect an empty 40ft container from Birmingham, lift it to the ground in Gloucester so two high value sports cars could be loaded and driver to North Africa to deliver the container and contents. Simple!

Containerlift’s Transport Director Richard Cleaver explained, “The customer was exporting two extremely expensive and rare classic sports cars. Delivering and transporting the two cars in a 40ft shipping container on a Steelbro sidelifter was the perfect solution for them. The Steelbro machine lifted the container to the ground enabling the customer to safely load and unload the vehicles eliminating the risk of damage.

The sports cars were also kept extremely well protected and secure en-route from the UK to Marrakech in Morocco. The driver accompanied the vehicle and load on the entire journey and once a shipping container is onboard the sidelifter it is impossible to open the container doors – the crane modules are in the way.”

The only way to access the contents of a shipping container when on a Steelbro sidelifter is to either lift the container off or cut a hole in the side of the container. Neither can be carried out discreetly. The added transport security offered by a Steelbro sidelifter is something often overlooked but when carrying high value, dangerous or sensitive loads it is an extremely attractive benefit to the shipper.

Drop and Collect Container Haulage

If time and convenience are top priorities, drop-and-collect haulage could be your best option.

The Process

This service involves delivering an empty container while simultaneously collecting a loaded one. This approach saves time and eliminates the need for prolonged trailer rentals. It’s particularly beneficial for businesses where containers cannot be loaded or unloaded quickly.

Why Choose Drop and Collect?

• Efficiency: Seamlessly swap containers without interrupting your operations.
• Safety: Loading containers at ground level reduces the risk of accidents.
• Flexibility: Perfect for businesses needing adaptable and hassle-free solutions.

Why Choose Containerlift?

At Containerlift, our mission is to deliver cost-effective, reliable, and safe container haulage services tailored to your business needs. With years of experience and a nationwide fleet, we’re well-equipped to handle all your transport requirements.

“Efficient container haulage is the backbone of modern logistics—streamlining operations, saving costs, and ensuring cargo reaches its destination safely.”

Get in Touch Today

Whether you need standard haulage, side lifter services, or drop-and-collect options, Containerlift has you covered. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and discover how we can help optimise your logistics.