Behind the scenes of maritime transport: how does your order travel?

When a customer orders a vehicle or heavy machinery from Autolink, it's not just a purchase; it's the beginning of a logistical adventure. Many of our clients wonder: "What happens between the validation of my order and the arrival of my equipment at the port?"

Here is the typical journey of a shipment, managed from A to Z by our experts.

1. Preparation: Sourcing and Securing

It all starts with sourcing. At Autolink, we don't just find the equipment; we verify its compliance and condition. Once the machinery (whether it's a MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Astra, Iveco, Tatra truck or heavy equipment) is selected, we secure the transaction and prepare the essential administrative file for customs clearance.

2. Land Transport (Pre-carriage)

Before setting sail, the vehicle must reach the port of embarkation. We organize secure road transport from the factory or storage yard to the port terminal. This is a crucial step where the protection of the equipment is our absolute priority.

3. Choice of Loading Method: Ro-Ro or Container?

Depending on the nature of the equipment, we choose the most suitable maritime transport method:

• Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) service: Ideal for trucks and heavy machinery. The vehicle literally rolls on board the ship via a dedicated ramp. It's the fastest and safest solution for large vehicles.

• Container: Used for spare parts, small equipment, or when disassembly is necessary to optimize costs.

4. The Crossing and Tracking

Once on board, your goods begin their journey. Thanks to our partner networks, we ensure ship tracking. This step may seem opaque to the client, but our role is to maintain constant contact and inform you about the progress of your shipment.

5. Safety First: Incoterms and Insurance

To ensure your peace of mind throughout the transport, we integrate two fundamental pillars into our management:

• Mastery of Incoterms: We advise you on the most suitable Incoterm (FOB, CIF, DAP, etc.) to precisely define the responsibilities and transfer of risks between you and us, thus avoiding any unpleasant surprises regarding costs or obligations.

• Securing through insurance: Maritime transport involves inherent risks. To protect your capital, we assist you in setting up ad valorem insurance. In case of damage during transit, your investment is protected at its actual value.

6. Customs Clearance and Final Delivery

The ship arrives at the destination port. This is where our logistics expertise makes all the difference. We coordinate unloading operations, customs formalities (often complex), and, if necessary, the onward transport to your final site.

Did you know? The success of maritime transport depends not only on the ship but also on the accuracy of the documentation. A declaration error can lead to days of delay. At Autolink, we treat every file as if it were our own.

Why entrust your logistics to Autolink?

International transport of heavy machinery requires specific expertise. By choosing Autolink, you choose peace of mind:

• Securing of sourcing and payments.

• Mastery of incoterms and customs formalities.

• Protection of your investment through appropriate insurance.

• Support until the final delivery point.

Do you have a purchase project or a question about a specific destination? Our new colleagues are ready to answer you and offer you the best logistics solutions on the market.