SEA FREIGHT OPTIONS
FCL & LCL
Container Options
Whether you fill an entire container or share one with other shippers, Allenek has the right solution for your cargo volume, budget, and timeline.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS
FCL vs LCL — What's the Difference?
The choice between Full Container Load and Less than Container Load comes down to your cargo volume, budget, and how quickly you need your goods to arrive. Both options are available on all of Allenek's deep sea trade lanes.
Full Container Load
With FCL, your cargo occupies an entire container — exclusively yours from origin to destination. You book the full box regardless of whether you fill it completely, and no other shipper's goods share the space.
FCL is the most cost-effective option when your cargo fills approximately 15 cubic metres or more, or when you are shipping high-value, fragile, or sensitive goods that benefit from exclusive container use and reduced handling.
Less than Container Load
With LCL, your cargo shares container space with other shippers' goods. You pay only for the cubic metres and weight your shipment occupies — making it the ideal solution for smaller volumes that do not justify the cost of a full container.
LCL shipments are consolidated at a Container Freight Station (CFS) at origin, shipped together, and de-consolidated at the destination CFS before onward delivery.
Important: LCL Acceptance Conditions
Allenek accepts LCL shipments on a Freight All Kinds (FAK) basis only. All goods must be packed on pallets and must be non-dangerous (no IMO-classified hazardous cargo). Loose, unpalleted, or hazardous goods cannot be accepted for LCL consolidation.
EQUIPMENT
Container Types & Specifications
Allenek can source the right equipment for every cargo type. Below are the standard container specifications available on our deep sea services.
20ft Dry Container
Dense, heavy cargo. Ideal for machinery, raw materials, and goods where weight fills the box before volume.
40ft Dry Container
The most common container worldwide. Suits a wide range of general cargo, consumer goods, and manufactured products.
40ft High Cube
Voluminous, lightweight cargo — furniture, textiles, and large packaged goods that need the extra 30cm of height.
45ft High Cube
Maximum volume for lightweight cargo. Increasingly popular on Europe–Far East lanes for high-volume consumer goods.
20ft Open Top
Tall or top-loaded cargo that cannot be loaded through the doors — steel coils, machinery, timber, and stone.
40ft Flat Rack
Oversized and out-of-gauge cargo — vehicles, boats, heavy plant, and structural steel that cannot be containerised.
20ft Reefer
Temperature-controlled cargo: fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and any goods requiring a controlled environment.
40ft Reefer
High-volume temperature-sensitive cargo. Common on fruit, meat, dairy, and pharmaceutical trade lanes.
Dimensions and payload figures are indicative. Actual specifications may vary by carrier and equipment age. Contact us for confirmed specifications for your shipment.
QUICK GUIDE
Which Option is Right for You?
| Consideration | FCL | LCL |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Volume | 15 CBM and above | Under 15 CBM |
| Cost Structure | Fixed rate per container | Rate per CBM / tonne (W/M) |
| Transit Time | Faster — direct port-to-port | Slightly longer — CFS consolidation |
| Cargo Handling | Minimal — loaded once, unloaded once | More handling at CFS origin & destination |
| Hazardous Cargo | Accepted (subject to IMO class) | Not accepted — FAK non-dangerous only |
| Packing Requirement | Standard export packing | Must be on pallets |
| Security | Exclusive use — highest security | Shared space — standard security |
| Flexibility | Book any time, any volume | Weekly consolidation cut-offs apply |
ROAD FREIGHT
FTL & LTL Road Freight
In addition to sea freight, Allenek offers Full Truck Load (FTL) and Less than Truck Load (LTL) road freight services for collection, pre-carriage, and on-carriage of your shipments across the UK and Europe.
FTL is the road equivalent of FCL — your goods occupy the entire trailer, offering the fastest transit and maximum security for high-volume or time-sensitive consignments. LTL (also known as groupage) allows you to share trailer space with other shippers, paying only for the space your cargo occupies.
Road Freight Acceptance Conditions
Both FTL and LTL road freight services are offered on a Freight All Kinds (FAK) basis. All goods must be packed on pallets and must be non-dangerous. Hazardous goods and loose, unpalleted cargo cannot be accepted for road freight consolidation.
Exclusive trailer use. Fastest transit, maximum security, ideal for full loads.
Shared trailer space. Pay per pallet or cubic metre. FAK & palleted only.
Not Sure Which Option to Choose?
Our team will assess your cargo dimensions, weight, destination, and timeline to recommend the most cost-effective solution for your shipment.