Melbourne’s Trusted Container Transport Service
Our Services
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Imports & Exports
Reliable shipping container transport in Melbourne, ensuring your cargo arrives safely and on time. With a focus on efficiency and security, we handle your cargo with the utmost care, delivering peace of mind throughout the journey.
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Sideloader Rental
Efficient and well maintained sideloaders available for short or long-term hire. Perfect for safe and precise loading and unloading of containers, offering flexibility to suit your operational needs.
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Container Relocations
Reliable container relocation services in Melbourne, ensuring safe and efficient movement of your containers. Whether you're shifting across locations or optimizing yard space, we make the process hassle-free.
Our Process
Cartage Booking
Send us your sea freight cartage details, and we’ll take care of the planning and booking of the pick up from the ports.
Deliver
Once your shipment arrives to the port, our team will work with you to facilitate the seamless delivery of the container to your site.
Dehire
Notify us once the container is emptied, and we will promptly arrange for its collection and dehire.
A1 Quality Everytime.
Why Us?
Competitive Pricing
Timely Deliveries
Seasoned Drivers
Outstanding Customer Service
Client Dashboard
GPS Tracking
FAQs
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A Sideloader is a specialised trailer equipped with two side-lifting cranes , designed to load and unload shipping containers or other cargo directly from the ground. It can also transfer containers between trailers, trucks, or rail wagons. This flexibility makes it a valuable intermodal tool, serving as a mobile lifting device or part of a convoy to assist in loading and unloading multiple containers.
It is the ideal choice for relocations or deliveries in tight spaces where access is limited in front, behind, or over a low fence. The truck positions itself alongside the desired location. The container is then carefully offloaded directly onto the ground from the driver's side, landing precisely between the two outrigger feet of the Sideloader.
Thanks to its ability to transport and lift containers efficiently, the Sideloader provides a cost-effective and reliable transport solution.
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When using a Sideloader for container delivery, there are key space and safety factors to keep in mind. The container itself is 4.2 meters tall, so you'll need a clearance of at least this height when passing under powerlines or trees. The truck, including its mirrors and other parts, requires a minimum width of 6 metres to unload the container, and 3.5 metres for access points (e.g gates). Additionally, the truck, Sideloader, and all other parts combined is 16 meters in length, so make sure there's enough space to accommodate.
The ground where the truck parks must be relatively level. If the site slopes, unloading can be tricky, particularly if the truck is facing uphill or downhill, as the container may swing on the lifting chains and collide with the lifting arms. Off road deliveries are usually avoided, as if the truck becomes stuck on soft or unsealed ground, the recovery cost will be your responsibility. It’s important to check for soft spots, wet areas, rubble, or recent excavation and inform the driver of their location.
In some cases, Sideloader trailers can position containers over low fences, but this requires the outrigger feet to extend past the fence line, which may mean removing parts of the fence.
If you're unsure whether your location can accommodate a container, don’t hesitate to send us your address and some photos, and we’ll provide a free assessment.
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At A1 Sideloader Service, we specialise in Shipping Container Transport solutions. We deliver a variety of container types to suit different shipping needs, including 20ft and 40ft FCLs (Full Container Loads) for standard shipments.
We also deliver open top containers for items that require top access or have oversized dimensions, along with hazardous goods containers (class 1-9) for safely transporting dangerous materials. Additionally, we can handle overweight containers (over 22.5 tonnes - 29T) with the use of a chase truck.
In addition to container transport using sideloaders, we also offer standard skel services like drop trailer and live unload. With drop trailer, we leave the trailer for you to unload at your convenience, while with live unload, we stay on-site and wait for you to finish unloading before we depart. This flexibility ensures we can meet a variety of delivery needs based on your schedule and requirements.
Whatever your transport requirements, we’re here to help you find the right solution.
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We currently cannot offer deliveries to residential addresses, as many lack the necessary space or safety conditions for container placement. Our priority is maintaining strict safety standards for our customers, drivers, and equipment, which can be challenging to uphold at residential sites. If you're unsure whether your location can accommodate a container, don’t hesitate to send us your address and some photos, and we’ll provide a free assessment.
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Deliveries to regional addresses are possible, but they are subject to the specific location and access conditions. Factors like road quality or distance may impact our ability to complete the delivery. If you're unsure whether your rural site can accommodate a container delivery, feel free to send us your address and photos for a free consultation.
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We specialise in managing the shipping container transport between Melbourne Port terminals and the client site, including container dehire. For assistance with the full import or export shipment process and custom clearance, we recommend working with a freight forwarder. We’d be happy to connect you with some trusted freight forwarders we work closely with — just let us know!
Get in touch
Reach out via the contact form below – we look forward to hearing from you!