Having worked in the international freight business, I know full well how many people are in involved in getting a container to its final destination.

It all begins when an order is placed to a manufacturer and inventory is assigned. Now the fun begins. First step is to decide what type of container you need - 20 ft, 40 ft, high cube, temperature controlled?? Once the size is determined based on weight or cubic measurement, then a particular carrier is selected - usually based on price and availability of container equipment as well as ports of call.

A local trucker needs to be contacted to pick up the container and deliver to your shipping platform. Once material is loaded the trucker makes arrangements for a pier delivery. Behind the scenes in all this activity is usually a freight forwarder or broker who makes arrangements for dock receipts, ocean bills of lading, insurance, as well as any additional documentation required by the receiving country.

Finally the container is on its way. But wait a minute - it needs its proper place on the vessel. Flammable and highly hazardous material must be stored on deck so in the event of a fire or spill, it can be tossed overboard. There is also the consideration of which ports are being called on first. You don’t want to have to dig for your container at the back of the ship if your destination is the first port of call. Once the container is unloaded, there is additional paperwork to clear the goods and arrangements to be made to deliver to the customer.

It always amazed me that with all the people, documentation and timing involved that most of these transactions went as smooth as silk. When everyone knows their job, anything can get from Point A to Point B with minimal fuss.

I have high respect for all who working in the shipping industry,keeping the economies of many countries going and providing employment as well as goods and services to the world.

- Contributed to FollowTheContainer by a visitor.