SKYBLADE LOGISTICS & SECURE VAULTING, Logistics & Shipping

Big Shipping Power for Small-Volume Cargo

Less than Container Load (LCL) consolidation allows you to ship from as little as 0.5 CBM, without waiting to fill an entire container. Your goods are combined with other shippers' cargo heading to the same destination, and you pay only for the cubic metres or weight your shipment occupies. It's the smart, economical solution for importers, SMEs, and exporters who don't yet have full container volumes.

Fort & Freight operates weekly LCL consolidations from key hub ports to major global destinations, and in the reverse direction we receive consolidated cargo from consolidators in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, deconsolidating and clearing at our regional CFS facilities.

From 0.5 CBM minimum shipment

Weekly sailings, fixed schedules

Origin CFS stuffing & packing

Customs clearance at destination

House Bill of Lading issued per shipper

Door-to-door delivery available

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LCL vs FCL, Which is Right for You?

Factor	LCL (Consolidation)	FCL (Full Container)
Minimum volume	0.5 CBM	~1 full container (15+ CBM to be economical)
Cost	Lower total cost for small volumes	More economical per CBM at large volumes
Transit time	Slightly longer (CFS stuffing + destuffing)	Faster, direct container movement
Security / sole use	Shared container	Exclusive container, no co-loading
Flexibility	Fixed weekly group sailings	Any vessel, any time (subject to booking)
Best for	SMEs, samples, seasonal stock	Manufacturers, large importers/exporters

Our LCL Consolidation Points

Weekly groupage sailings from these major origin ports

China (Shanghai / Ningbo / Guangzhou)

Weekly LCL consolidation from China's three main export hubs to Mombasa, transit time 18–25 days. Ideal for general merchandise, electronics, and manufactured goods.

Europe (Hamburg / Antwerp / Felixstowe)

Bi-weekly LCL from Northern Europe to Mombasa, transit time 22–30 days. Specialist cargoes: chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts.

India (Mumbai / Nhava Sheva / Chennai)

Weekly groupage from India, transit 8–14 days. Textiles, agri inputs, plastics, and pharmaceutical raw materials are the dominant commodities.

Middle East (Dubai / Jebel Ali)

Weekly LCL from UAE, transit 10–16 days. Re-exports, consumer goods, building materials, and food products.

South Africa (Durban)

Weekly inter-Africa LCL, transit 5–8 days. Intra-Africa trade goods, automotive, chemicals, and food products.

USA (New York / Los Angeles / Houston)

Bi-weekly LCL from USA, transit 28–40 days. Aid cargo, aviation parts, medical equipment, and specialty imports.

How LCL Consolidation Works

1

Book & Submit

Share your packing list and cargo dimensions. We issue a booking and advise the CFS delivery deadline.

2

CFS Delivery

Cargo arrives at the Container Freight Station (CFS), is receipted, weighed, measured, and consolidated with other shippers.

3

Load & Sail

The consolidated container is sealed, gated in, and loaded. Your House Bill of Lading is issued after departure.

4

Deconsolidate & Deliver

At destination CFS, the container is opened, your cargo is separated, cleared, and delivered to your door.

LCL Consolidation, FAQs

LCL freight is charged per cubic metre (CBM) or per tonne, whichever is greater (known as revenue tonne). For example, if your cargo is 2 CBM and weighs 500 kg (0.5 tonne), you pay for 2 CBM. If your cargo is 2 CBM but weighs 3,000 kg (3 tonnes), you pay for 3 revenue tonnes. We show you both figures in every quote.

Each shipper's cargo is individually marked, receipted, and manifest-listed at the CFS. Your cargo stays in its own cartons or pallets, it is never mixed or repacked with another shipper's goods. At deconsolidation, each consignment is separated out by House Bill number before delivery.

LCL typically adds 3–7 days compared to FCL on the same lane, due to CFS stuffing time at origin and deconsolidation at destination. For non-urgent cargo, this is perfectly acceptable. If speed is critical, an FCL on the same vessel will be faster as it bypasses the CFS stages.

Certain DG classes are accepted in LCL subject to compatibility with co-loaded cargo and the consolidator's acceptance policy. We assess this on a case-by-case basis. Many DG commodities are easier to ship as FCL where compatibility is not an issue. Please declare any hazardous nature at the time of enquiry.

Ship Small, Think Global

Get an LCL rate, tell us your CBM, weight, origin, and destination

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