BB to BA by RORO
Shipping our home on wheels is always a traumatic experience, especially on the long unaccompanied crossings. And this time it was no different.
We were told in January that ships normally ply our route from Durban to Argentina monthly, and we planned our return to the UK for Easter accordingly. However, for a variety of reasons, the ship we planned to sail on in March did not materialise until June.
Preparing Big Bertha is always the first step in the shipping process (paperwork aside). Dave worked through his detailed list (emptying water tanks, isolating batteries, clearing out the cab etc) before handing over the front cab/ignition key to our shipping agent in Durban. Big Bertha was stored in a warehouse for the 3 months prior to shipping.
The shipping agent transported BB to the port, arranged customs clearance and ensured our Carnet de Passage was properly ‘stamped out’, so its UK issuer would return our substantial bond. Our ship, the Grand Choice V, a Roll On Roll Off vehicle carrier, arrived on 22 June 2023.
Her route would be Durban, Victoria (Brazil), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Zarete (Argentina). A roughly 10,500km journey taking 17 days.
Our ship arrived in Zarate as planned on 8th July, but unfortunately, it being a long weekend to celebrate Argentina’s independence day, we could not clear customs until Wednesday 12th July.
In the meantime, we met with our local shipping agent and purchased the mandatory motor insurance.
Pick up day eventually arrived and turned out to be a cold, wet and windy day. Our agent picked up from the hotel and we headed to customs and then the port itself. After seven hours of paperwork, inspections and waiting we drove Big Bertha out at five in the evening. We are very pleased to report BB did not suffer any damage of theft during her long journey.
What a stressful time! Talk about jumping through hoops, wow.
Thank goodness BB was in good order and hadn’t been damaged, we’ve all been through that when shipping our belongings internationally.
Looking forward to hearing more about your amazing adventure.
Take care x
What a relief with the reunification with BB accomplished!! This is a wonderful and welcome occurrence.
All credit, however, to the meticulous planning and execution of those plans by both of you.
Best wishes always.
Great glad everything went well in the end. Have fun x
May the next part of your journey be as enjoyable as the African one
Regards Johan Lyn & family
Amazing how long the shipping can take! as well as clearing customs at some places.
5 hours would drive me insane but listen to this. End of September last year i had yo cross Tanzania to Zambia with 53 Bicycles! for a Charity ride in Botswana. Arrived border post 4pm on a Sunday evening. Left a 7pm Monday evening 27 hours!. At 20 odd hours mid day Monday i almost turned around!! 😅😉😎.
I can’t stop reading about Big Bertha now. What a machine ! What an amazing trip. So glad to met you at Route 101 on your way to Montevideo. and give me the chance to annoy you about your adventure. All the best on your way to Alaska. Enjoy Colonia.
Andrés. From Atlantida.
Nice to meet you too! Thank for flagging us down. David and Francine