Looking for the most reliable international shipping companies in the UK? Here are some of the best choices based on cost, reputation and service in 2024.
The thought of shipping all your belongings abroad (whether that’s for your business, work, travel, or study) can seem like a somewhat daunting experience, especially when it comes to entrusting the task of having all your valuable items assigned to a rather generic and unheard-of shipping company to pack and send these off to an entirely new country where different custom restrictions may apply.
If you’re having a nightmare finding a reliable, trustworthy international shipping company, we’ve got you covered. At PSS we have over 40 years of experience working in partnership with the world’s leading shipping lines so we know a thing or two about which are the best if you are moving or shipping from the UK to any location abroad.
In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the top UK international shipping and container shipping companies we recommend based on the quality of service, reputation, price, and destination.
Given the current challenges facing the container shipping industry worldwide, such as increased shipping costs, supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of Brexit, choosing the right shipping company has never been more critical. By selecting an accredited shipping company, you can be confident that your goods will be transported safely and securely in 2024.
Free Online Shipping Costs Calculator1) PSS International Removals – 1st Choice for Moving Overseas
Ok, we might be biased, but there is a good reason why PSS is regarded as the first choice for moving overseas by many in the migration and international relocation industry.
Big container shipping companies ship hundreds of thousands of shipping containers around the world every day. In fact, there are estimated to be over 15 million shipping containers in circulation worldwide.
Whilst technically you could approach them directly to help with your move, you are unlikely to get the best price or service and they only talk to you if you are regularly shipping large volumes.
A better option, therefore, is to use a Personal Shipping Company like PSS which specialises in shipping personal goods for people moving abroad. As we help thousands of people ship their belongings all over the world, we can negotiate the best shipping rates.
There is also much expertise required in international shipping and importing your goods into your destination country. PSS will help you with any required documentation, find the best shipping line and negotiate the best rate, pack your container at your house, take care of customs clearance and have our trusted international partners collect your shipment from the port and deliver it to your door.
This makes the whole international shipping process as stress-free as possible for you.
As a highly accredited international removal and shipping company (including BAR overseas, FIDI FAIM, and the International Association of Movers to name just a few), you can be assured of the highest standards of service.
Also as we specialise in personal shipping, every customer is important and valuable to us, no matter if you have a container for your sole use or are just sending a few boxes.
As part of our quality service commitment, we only use the best-accredited shipping lines. Below we overview the main shipping companies we partner with. All operate to high standards so the list is not necessarily in order of preference.
The shipping company we choose would be based on a combination of cost, availability and the destination you are moving to.
2) MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company
As of January 23, 2024, MSC is the largest company in the world with 19.3% share of the global container fleet.
MSC is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and trades on average 20 million TEU in capacity annually. Founded 50 years ago, its expertise is focused on delivering a variety of goods in a range of different sectors, some of which include: chemicals, food and beverage, agriculture and many more. They also offer bespoke container types to suit different cargo loads, from dry cargo, reefer cargo, and special cargo to dangerous goods.
However, they also provide a quality service for shipping personal goods for people moving overseas.
MSC operates in over 155 countries globally, with 801 vessels travelling in any one of the 300 different allocated routes at any given time. They also offer transport services on land, including intermodal services via truck and rail. Aside from container shipping, MSC also offers warehouse and storage solutions, as well as custom clearance services so your items can be taken care of past the point of just shipping.
MSC is recognisable for its bright yellow branding and the black colour of its ships’ hulls.
PSS ships with MSC from the UK to ports in the USA, Cyprus, New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the UAE.
3) Maersk Line
Part of the A.P. Moller Group, Maersk are the world’s second largest shipping company (14.6% market share) based in Denmark and operates on an international basis, with the majority of its trades taking place between Asia and Europe, South America and Europe, and the UK and North America.
With an extensive network of over 740 vessels travelling between 343 ports located in 121 countries, a large number of trades occur on a daily basis both business and personal. Headquartered in Copenhagen and operating for over a century, Maersk has one of the most integrated shipping networks, including warehouse storage solutions in over 50 countries.
Maersk is probably the most famous container shipping line worldwide and its ships are very identifiable with a light blue colour.
As one of the best and most reliable shipping companies, PSS regularly partner with Maersk for a number of popular destinations including Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the USA, Cyprus and the UAE.
4) ONE – Ocean Network Express
ONE was established as a joint venture between Japanese shipping companies: “K” Line, MOL and NYK in 2017. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the sixth largest shipping company in the world and also a member of The Alliance alongside members: Hapag Lloyd and Yang Ming.
They’re recognised for their strong branding and bright pink shipping containers, reminiscent of cherry blossoms in Japan (the origin of their parent companies). With their message to unify the world as “one” through collaborating internationally and providing global services, they collectively have over 200 vessels and transport 1.4 million TEU in capacity annually, with services being offered in over 100 countries.
ONE have many headquarters across the world including the UK. PSS regularly partner with Ocean Network Express for shipping from the UK to destinations such as the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the UAE.
5) Hapag Lloyd
Hapag Lloyd (also a member of The Alliance alongside ONE and Yang Ming) offers logistic and shipping services in just under 400 locations, trading between Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America, with frequent trading to countries like Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, US and UAE.
As one of the largest liner shipping companies in the world, Hapag Lloyd offers a wide range of container types to support different cargo requirements i.e. breakbulk, open-top, hardtop, flat rack and platform. As well as being headquartered in Germany, they also have regional offices located in Hamburg, Genova, Dubai, Singapore, New Jersey and Valparaiso – with regional cargo contacts available readily for shipment enquiries.
Annually, Hapag Lloyd have transported 11.8 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) in capacity via 251 vessels, with the majority of their cargo including foodstuffs and beverages, materials and chemicals. They have over 13,500 employees in 135 countries, meaning they have the expertise to provide an outstanding service.
Hapag Lloyd is famous for its bright orange shipping containers which really catch people’s attention when they are parked outside your home to collect your household goods.
PSS partners with Hapag Lloyd to ship from the UK to ports in Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, USA, Canada UAE/Dubai and more.
6) COSCO Shipping Lines
COSCO Shipping Lines, also known as China Ocean Shipping Company, is one of the world’s largest container shipping companies. The company has a history dating back to 1961, and over the years, has grown into a global giant in the shipping industry, with a fleet of over 477 vessels in over 140 countries and regions.
During its early years, COSCO Shipping Lines primarily operated as a domestic shipping company, providing transportation services to the Chinese market. However, in the 1980s, the Chinese government began to implement economic reforms, and COSCO Shipping Lines was tasked with expanding its operations overseas.
In the following decades, COSCO Shipping Lines expanded its business rapidly, acquiring numerous shipping companies and forming alliances with other major players in the industry. Today, COSCO Shipping Lines is one container shipping company in the world, with a significant presence in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the Americas.
The company operates in over 140 countries including Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe and America.
7) Evergreen Marine Corporation
Evergreen Marine Corporation is a leading international shipping company with a rich history of innovation and excellence.
Founded in 1968, the company has a global presence in over 160 countries, connecting people and businesses through its extensive shipping network. Over the years, Evergreen Marine has embraced new technologies and change, always striving to improve its services and maintain its position as one of the leaders in the shipping industry.
They are committed to improving ship efficiency preventing pollution, saving energy and reducing carbon. The founder, Dr. Chang, is highly proactive and will look to use the latest technology as soon as they are available, rather than waiting for legislation to be introduced.
The company has 315 service locations and covers 114 countries with their network including Southeast Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean. Evergreen look to stay with market trends and has implemented digital systems which allow customers to receive up-to-date information on departures and arrival times.
Evergreen Marine Corporation also places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and has implemented numerous initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize the impact of its operations on the environment. With a long history of excellence and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Evergreen Marine is a trusted and reliable partner for those in need of international shipping services.
8) Sealand
Sealand is a Maersk company focusing on intra-regional shipping within continents: the Americas, Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia.
Sealand’s network covers 300 ports in 90 countries, supporting the shipment of dry, reefer, special and dangerous goods cargo. Alongside container shipping, Sealand also provides intermodal transport via sea, rail, truck and barge, with value protection to keep your goods covered at all times. Like the majority of modern international shipping companies, Sealand’s website and mobile applications allow live tracking of existing shipment orders to keep you informed of potential delays and estimated delivery times.
At PSS we mostly partner with Sealand for shipping from the UK to destinations in Europe, most notably Cyprus and Malta.
9) OOCL – Orient Overseas Container Line
OOCL, a shipping company headquartered in Hong Kong, is primarily known for their integration of technology to improve its logistic and shipping services – including being one of the first to design an application for managing and tracking orders.
They are also known for being awarded for their internal data management system, IRIS-2, as well as their ongoing project on the use of artificial intelligence to improve the overall logistics and transport process with Microsoft Research Asia.
OOCL are in fact the first shipping company to become accredited against the Safety, Quality and Environmental (SQE) management system, applicable to the 59 vessels they own, each up to 21,000 TEU in capacity, trading between Asia, Europe, America, Australia and Africa.
PSS mainly use OOCL as an alternative for shipping to Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
10) DAL – Deutsche Afrika Linien
DAL are a privately owned German shipping company, run by the Essberger/Von Rantzau family and headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.
DAL provides both container and general freight services, with its shipping network covering Africa, Europe, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean (though its main focus is that of East and South Africa). DAL owns 4 vessels, totalling just over 21,000 TEU in capacity, and is one of the first shipping companies in history to trade to and from Africa.
DAL frequently trades to and from South Africa and the Canary Islands (including Tenerife) so we find them very useful if you’re moving there. Recently, they have been sold to Hapag-Lloyd, however, DAL still run container operations in Capetown and Durban.
11) Tropical Shipping
Tropical shipping is a transport and logistics company based in West Palm Beach, Florida, providing door-to-door shipping and intermodal services for container shipments as well as less than container loads (LCL).
They have 50 years of experience shipping internationally across 30 locations for both personal and business use, using integrated real-time shipment tracking services and marine insurance covered by Sea Seas for added peace of mind.
At PSS we use Tropical for shipping from the UK to the Caribbean & Bahamas.
12) CMA-CGM
CMA-CGM are a large French shipping company headquartered in Marseille, trading between 160 countries worldwide, owning the second largest reefer carrier in the world. They have an extensive network of 420 ports globally, running 500 vessels that travel via 200 routes, holding 21.6 million TEU annually in capacity.
CMA-CGM provide door-to-door logistic services via sea and land, with experience in transporting dry, refrigerated, special and dangerous goods cargo. CMA-CGM are also highly proactive when it comes to sustainability, launching their CMA-CGM plus scheme for the environmentally conscious who are looking to lower their cargo’s carbon footprint.
They provide the choice of package between using a natural gas that releases fewer air pollutants, using a biofuel that releases fewer carbon emissions or allowing you to contribute to sustainable agricultural and social projects.
Whilst not one of the main container shipping lines we use, CMA are useful to have as a backup option.
13) Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation
Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation are a Taiwanese shipping company founded in 1972, transporting load both domestically and overseas and covering Asia, Australia, Europe and America.
They own over 100 vessels, transporting over 640,000 TEU in capacity annually. Yang Ming is ranked ninth for the number of containers imported and exported to and from the US. As members of The Alliance, they collaboratively work with their allies in providing shipping services across 80 ports worldwide. Asides from transport and logistics, they also offer warehouse services and the repair and lease of containers.
Which international shipping company should you use?
The above are some of what we consider the best shipping companies operating out of the UK. But fortunately, you don’t have to go through the trouble of choosing which is best for your circumstances as your experienced Move Manager will take care of that for you.
To get a quote for moving or shipping overseas you can use our international shipping cost calculator.
Alternatively, you can go directly to our shipping pages for the USA, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Canada and South Africa.
There are many good shipping companies to choose from. As long as you select an accredited company you should be fine. However, even when you use one of the best, you still need to ensure your belongings are expertly packed for a long sea voyage and you also need to be confident that the import and customs procedures are taken care of.
