Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 19:50:32 +0200
Reply-To: Robert Steven Fish <fish@SALZBURG.CO.AT>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Steven Fish <fish@SALZBURG.CO.AT>
Subject: Re: Suggestions for shipping a van from Germany to Halifax NS
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a Vancouver-area shipper tells me that if we pack our belongings in unmarked
boxes (no recycled liquor boxes, electronics boxes, etc.) and keep it all
covered with tarps or blankets, it will be fine...
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There are apparently two DIFFERENT ways to get a vehicle across the
Atlantic... One being the Ro/Ro method (Roll On / Roll Off) which is what I
did, and which is generally very cheap, quick, and easy.
The other method would be getting your goods moved by packing them in a
container, which could be the size of a small 18-wheeler trailer, or
something. This container has a lock on it... a big one.... like 2 inch
thick steel bar, etc. The container carrier will guarantee that your goods
arrive safely (other than damage by shifting, which is not to be taken
lightly... on high seas, there are weather conditions which make the cars,
trucks, and containers all jump around, and often if poorly secured, things
get completely trashed)...
Anyway, if all is safely inside a locked container you will receive at least
the shaken up goods, and if not (for example the container falls off the
ship) you will receive insurance reimbursment.
The catch is that to have your own container is already out of the price
range for what I was referring to... the container would most likely cost
between 5-10 grand, and all contants are weighed to get the final price.
I had all my "goods" shipped by NorthAmerican, and they took care of placing
everything in a "shared container" for me, and delivered it to my door in
Salzburg Austria... cost around 10 grand, including insurance etc.
The Vanagon went Ro/Ro and cost under 800 bucks if I remember correctly.
If you do Ro/Ro and you pack anything in the car, it will be gone when you
pick it up... that's just the way it is. On a ship where there are like
2000 cars, and months of boring sea time, and bored crew members, who may or
may not be well paid, and may or may not be honest.... the probability of
you ever seeing something like a nice bike, or any other toy, is pretty much
0%.
It is possible that other list members have a different opinion... if so I
would be glad to hear any additional and/or contarary information.
Good Luck!!
RSF
<º)))>{ <º)))>{ <º)))>{ <º)))>{ <º)))>{ <º)))>{
Robert S. Fish
Salzburg, Austria
1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon 2.1 GL Weekender
1987 Golf Cabriolet
1991 Golf
