UK ports we cover
We collect and deliver containers at every major UK container port, working with our sister haulage company and its own fleet.
| Port | Region | Typical driving time to Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Felixstowe | Suffolk, east coast | 3–3.5 hours |
| Southampton | Hampshire, south coast | 2.5–3 hours |
| London Gateway | Essex, Thames estuary | 3 hours |
| Tilbury | Essex, Thames | 3 hours |
| Liverpool | Merseyside, west coast | 2–2.5 hours |
| Immingham | Lincolnshire, Humber | 2.5–3 hours |
Approximate driving times for a container lorry, which vary with traffic and port queues.
How UK container haulage works
- Pre-advice: you send the container number, vessel, ETA, delivery address and gross weight.
- Release and clearance: customs is cleared and the shipping line releases the container.
- Slot booked: we book a collection slot through the port's booking system within your free time.
- Delivery: the container is delivered at the time booked with your site.
- Empty return: we return the empty to the line's nominated depot before detention starts.
See our full guide to booking container haulage.
Equipment for every site
Most deliveries use a standard skeletal trailer to a loading bay. If you don't have a bay or forklift, a side-loader lifts the container onto the ground so you can unload it in your own time. Heavy 20ft containers go on tri-axle trailers to stay within UK weight limits. Read what a side-loader is.
Avoiding port storage, demurrage and detention
Containers that can't be collected run up port storage and shipping line demurrage, and once collected, detention runs until the empty is returned. Most of these charges come from late bookings, documents that aren't ready or slow unloading. Book as soon as the ETA is known, clear customs before arrival and tell us how long unloading will take. See demurrage vs detention.
Exports, rail and storage
For exports we deliver empties to your site for loading and take them back into the terminal before the vessel's cut-off. For long distances, rail from Felixstowe or Southampton to an inland terminal, followed by a short road delivery, can be cheaper and lower in carbon. Short-term container storage can be arranged if your site isn't ready to receive goods.
