Container Freight vs Bulk Shipping — Cost Delta on 100+ CBM Cranes

For small excavators and telehandlers, containerised shipping is standard. For large cranes above 100 CBM, the options fragment — some go containerised (in 40' HC or open-top containers), some go breakbulk on general-cargo vessels, some go RoRo. Each has different cost, timing and access implications.

The three shipping modes

• Containerised (40' HC or open-top): unit fits inside a container or on a flat-rack. Standard for units ≤80 CBM in shipping volume.
• Breakbulk: unit loaded loose onto a general-cargo vessel's deck or hold. Standard for cranes 100–180 CBM.
• RoRo (roll-on/roll-off): unit drives on and off the vessel. Only applicable for self-propelled units, and only on RoRo vessels that call at both Chinese departure port and Jebel Ali.

Per-CBM cost comparison

Which cranes fit which mode

• Container (standard 40'): compact 25T truck cranes (partly disassembled), all telehandlers.
• Container (open-top / flat-rack): 50T truck cranes disassembled — jib and outrigger boxes separately.
• Breakbulk: most 80T+ mobile cranes; all all-terrains.
• RoRo: the ideal solution for road-going self-propelled cranes, when a RoRo carrier's route matches.

Timing differences

• Container schedules are frequent — sailings 2–3 times/week from major Chinese ports to Jebel Ali.
• Breakbulk sailings are typically weekly or every two weeks per carrier.
• RoRo sailings are the rarest — the specialised vessels don't always route via Jebel Ali. When they do, transit is fast and unit is drive-off ready.

Choosing between them

Our sourcing team picks per unit. Common patterns:

• 25T XCMG QY25K: containerised, standard 40' HC.
• 50T XCMG QY50KA: containerised (disassembled) if the buyer is time-sensitive; breakbulk otherwise.
• 100T+: breakbulk.
• Any crane on a Guangzhou departure: check RoRo — sometimes a 15% cost saving.