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Why Diverse Shipping Equipment is Key for a Fast and Agile Shipping Process
07/01/2024
Updated: 19/09/2025
Key Takeaways:
- Diversified shipping equipment enables flexibility which helps keep supply chains smooth.
- Partnering with a large-scale shipping company can help you access a wider range of shipping equipment and better volume flexibility.
- Optimized container usage helps maximize vessel space and reduce overall environmental impact.
For companies to remain profitable and successfully navigate variations in demand, good supply chain management is vital. Supply chain management is the supplier’s effort to develop and implement supply chains that are as efficient and economical as possible. Businesses can ensure they have good supply chain management by keeping control of internal inventories, such as internal production, distribution, and sales. They should also monitor the inventories of company vendors, to reduce excess costs whilst still delivering products to their customers as quickly as possible.
In order to provide reliable supply chain management support, MSC has been committed to investing in a full portfolio of services and equipment strategically selected or designed to help clear bottlenecks and manage circumstances that can impact your global supply chains.
What is Volume Flexibility?
Volume flexibility is the ability to adjust and adapt the volume of goods being imported and exported depending on demand and inventory levels.
Providing volume flexibility for customers is especially important for certain commodities that have peak seasons in their demand. Smaller shipping companies sometimes lack the scale to handle sudden increases in customer demand. In these cases, businesses may need to split their cargo across multiple carriers to secure the capacity they need. Larger carriers, however, usually have the equipment and vessel space to accommodate these fluctuations more easily.
What is Volume Flexibility?
Volume flexibility is the ability to adjust and adapt the volume of goods being imported and exported depending on demand and inventory levels.
Providing volume flexibility for customers is especially important for certain commodities that have peak seasons in their demand. Smaller shipping companies sometimes lack the scale to handle sudden increases in customer demand. In these cases, businesses may need to split their cargo across multiple carriers to secure the capacity they need. Larger carriers, however, usually have the equipment and vessel space to accommodate these fluctuations more easily.
The fewer ships and services a shipping company has, the less space they can offer to their customers. At MSC, we pride ourselves on not only having a large global fleet but also having the flexibility to adjust our different services to accommodate as much volume as possible.
The type and size of your shipping container will be dependent on the type of cargo being shipped. For example, if you wanted to ship a product like chairs, which don’t require temperature control then a reefer container isn’t needed.
Depending on the number of chairs you’re looking to ship, you could opt for one of MSC’s 20DV containers (dry cargo volume containers). Alternatively, you could choose from a number of other containers available with MSC, including:
- 40 DV
- 40 HC (High cube)
- 45 HC
- Multiple 20 DV containers
It is quite common for businesses to combine different container types and sizes to ensure they have enough for the volume of cargo they’re looking to ship. For example, you could choose to use 3 lots of 20 DV containers and 1 40 DV container to carry your goods.
As imports and exports are not the same globally, a container imbalance can occasionally occur. Container imbalances happen mainly because trade flows are uneven — some countries consistently import more than they export, or vice versa. This creates a surplus of empty containers in one region and a shortage in another. On top of this, certain trades require specialized equipment, such as reefers for fresh produce or flat racks for oversized machinery, which adds another layer of complexity when repositioning containers.
Ultimately, containers and other shipping equipment goes around as it comes around.
Why can't Shipping Companies just Use the Biggest Containers?
In order to fully utilize all available vessel space, it’s important to use the right equipment to maximize the capacity of both the vessel and the total transported volume.
If a shipping company only offers 40DV containers, customers with smaller shipments may end up loading containers that are only half full. By having both 20′ and 40′ and even 45HC containers available, it’s possible to match the right container size with the actual cargo volume. This not only helps avoid wasted space but also makes container shipping more cost- and space-efficient.
Why can't Shipping Companies just Use the Biggest Containers?
In order to fully utilize all available vessel space, it’s important to use the right equipment to maximize the capacity of both the vessel and the total transported volume.
If a shipping company only offers 40DV containers, customers with smaller shipments may end up loading containers that are only half full. By having both 20′ and 40′ and even 45HC containers available, it’s possible to match the right container size with the actual cargo volume. This not only helps avoid wasted space but also makes container shipping more cost- and space-efficient.
In some cases, businesses will need more than just a container. If your cargo requires a reefer container, you need to be able to trust that your shipping company has all the equipment and resources available to guarantee that your goods arrive at their final destination unspoiled.
We pride ourselves on being able to offer our customers, a variety of equipment, transportation options, and expert advice to ensure that your supply chain can run as smoothly and effectively as possible.
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Learn MoreFAQs
Why is it important to use different types of shipping container?
Different types of cargo require different container sizes and types. This helps optimize space and avoids unnecessary costs or cargo damage.
Can you mix container sizes in one shipment?
Yes, it’s common for multiple container sizes and types to be combined in one shipment.
What extra equipment might be needed beyond containers?
Some cargo may require smart containers, chassis, Gensets for refrigerated containers, or tarps for open-top containers.
What is equipment in shipping?
In shipping, ‘equipment’ refers to the tools and containers used to transport cargo. Examples include shipping containers (e.g., dry, refrigerated, or tank containers), chassis, and trailers. The type of equipment used depends on your cargo and how it needs to be stored or handled during transit.