Ferry Panama to Columbia

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by Misery Goat

Well the best is a subjective thing but the Stahlratte is still cheaper than the container method.

Plus I'm guessing they'll find a few creative ways to ding you on the other side. Container handling fees, unpacking fees, fumigation fees, inspection fees, bla, bla, bla. Ports in general are very inventive when it comes to separating shippers from their money and whatever you pay up front to ship the container is almost NEVER the total.

[Malindi]

Originally Posted by Misery Goat

Well the best is a subjective thing but the Stahlratte is still cheaper than the container method.

I guess you never checked their prices..... :-)

[Misery Goat]

Originally Posted by Malindi

I guess you never checked their prices..... :-)

I base my statement on the prices you posted.

[markharf]

I believe the Stahlratte's prices have gone up. You might want to check on that.

On the other hand, I was surprised that prices for container shipping came so close to prices by sailboat. Paying US$7-800 for a container (including personal airfare, port fees) vs. $900 by Stahlratte makes sense only if you're short on time, bored by splendid tropical scenery, have an intense dislike for lobster dinners, don't like watching movies, have heard the captain's jokes multiple times already, dislike displays of public drunkenness.....

[Throttlemeister]

...or nakedness

San Blas are worth the trip at least once or twice, hell it was damn fun taking a launcha all the way down to Coco Bandero out of Buskara


Damn good memories and a long boat ride.

[markharf]

Originally Posted by Throttlemeister

...or nakedness

I searched high and low but saw no nakedness in your post---just a posterior view of a seven foot Austrian. Maybe you've got another photo meant to share?

[Throttlemeister]

What you trying to get me banned or something

[tedder]

Originally Posted by Throttlemeister

What you trying to get me banned or something

time for toxic kuna?

[bananaman]

Originally Posted by tedder

time for toxic kuna?

I could get us all banned. I've got toxic, probably 35 but looks 12 Kuna pics. Shit- not just banned, but arrested until they realize that she's 35 and a grandmother.

Yep, San Blas is worth the trip.

[GastonUSAChile]

The best ferry is a RoRo from Long Beach or Houston to Panama or Cartagena as far to Brazil .Argentina. Peru or Valparaiso Chile.
The worst ferry is the ghost one from Panama to Cartagena, it will never happens and if happens to be closed in a couple of month.Believe me ! ,

I know, many patriots Panamanians and others could tell a thousand good things about the new ferry, but it is a total failure. And, I have nothing against new endevours, but not this one because to me its a real scam.
After sending so many vehicles through RoRo and having good experiences, still nobody can beat this mode. Serious companies after all.

Containers are not freight expensive but the cost of clearances and other matters on both ends make them expensive. Unless the container is fully shared and justify the cargo ($$) , then is a economic.
Then you have consolidation or individual cargo, To me it is the most viable and economic way along with RoRo. Add the cost of crating and that is the excess on the cost.
The only problem with consolidation, not many destinations are available but at least close ones.

[MAXVERT]

[QUOTE=GastonUSAChile;19313949]The best ferry is a RoRo from Long Beach or Houston to Panama or Cartagena as far to Brazil .Argentina. Peru or Valparaiso Chile.

Gaston,
Could you give some more information about the RoRo's to Peru and Chile ?
I need to get my bike South in November.
Max

[Misery Goat]

There's a shipping thread stuck at the top of the forum with Gaston's info and a link to his vendor thread. You can ask your questions in his vendor thread.

[MAXVERT]

Originally Posted by Misery Goat

There's a shipping thread stuck at the top of the forum with Gaston's info and a link to his vendor thread. You can ask your questions in his vendor thread.

The question was not directed at you , mind your own business.

I'm quite familiar with Gaston's business and the location of the various
shipping threads.

Others might also be interested in the same info.

Max

[Malindi]

Ok, time for some reality...
We just cleared the container today. 2 cars, 2 bikes.
The two bikes (one was mine), paid $700 to the container "owners" for 1/3rd. So we each paid 1/6th. We also paid $75 brokerage/fee in Panama. That was it. So $425 to load.
On the unloading side, we paid $113 (1/6th), including 10 cab riders with the 4 drivers between the town and port (the whole exercise took 2 days). So our landed cost for each bike was $538 per bike. We spent $344 each to fly one way from Panama City to Cartagena. So bike and rider across the gap for $882. Our RORO quote was $665, ex port fees (and then we had to remove ALL the luggage... try flying with that) and then we'd still have to fly for $344.
The boats are around $800-900 per bike, extra for the rider. So no matter how you turn it, a shared 40 ft container is the cheapest way across.

The fastest is with Girag (fly the bike) for around $990 per bike sans rider.

I don't see how we could have done it cheaper/safer/faster.

[GastonUSAChile]

Maxvert,

Tommorrow I,ll give you an analisis about RoRo versus other options. I am not going to discuss costs here but you,ll have ithe same answers with overal cost on my vendor thread.
Gestapo will be happy then.
Thanks for your comment.

Gaston here at 11:38 pm