From the Nile to the Mediterranean — Building a Pan-European Supply Chain
Every shipment travels from Alexandria or Port Said across the Mediterranean, entering Spain via Algeciras, Valencia, or Barcelona.
Standard 20′ GP (general purpose), 40′ GP, and 40′ high-cube (HC) units used for Egypt→Spain FCL planning. Internal dimensions follow ISO 668 / 1496 series; figures below match typical manufacturer data published by major carriers (small differences by box builder).
Same family of boxes — HC adds internal height for light, volumetric cargo; confirm door height and payload on the booking.
Use for planning only. Always confirm internal length/width/height, door opening, and maximum gross mass on the container’s CSC safety approval plate and in the carrier booking. Payload is max gross minus tare; road haulage in Spain may impose lower per-axle limits than the sea container maximum.
| Type | ISO size type (typical) | Internal length | Internal width | Internal height (clear) | Cube (nominal) | Mass (typical range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20′ GP | 22G1 | 5.898 m (19′ 4″) | 2.352 m (7′ 8½″) | 2.393 m (7′ 10½″) | ≈ 33.2 m³ | Max. gross often 30,480 kg · tare commonly ~2.2–2.4 t · payload often ~26–28 t (subject to CSC plate & legals) |
| 40′ GP | 42G1 | 12.032 m (39′ 6″) | 2.352 m | 2.393 m | ≈ 67.7 m³ | Max. gross commonly 30,480 kg (same cap as 20′ on many standard units) · tare ~3.7–4.0 t · payload often ~26–27 t |
| 40′ HC | 45G1 | 12.032 m | 2.352 m | 2.698 m (8′ 10″) | ≈ 76.3 m³ | Max. gross commonly 30,480 kg · tare ~3.9–4.2 t · payload often ~26–27 t — extra volume vs 40′ GP, not necessarily extra weight |
ISO pallet 800 × 1,200 mm (EUR): a 20′ unit typically holds on the order of 10–11 single-tier pallet positions; a 40′ unit on the order of 20–21 positions, depending on longitudinal packing and forklift margin. Second tier only where height, weight, and stability allow — often limited by payload, not cube.
Counts below assume one carton size, axis-aligned rows, no dunnage gaps, and full use of height — i.e. a theoretical maximum for a single-SKU FCL. Real loads use mixed SKU, void fill, corner posts, and lashing gaps; expect lower achievable units. Use load-planning software and weigh tickets for production.
ISO type codes (22G1 / 42G1 / 45G1) and dimensions are widely published in carrier equipment guides (e.g. Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk container specification sheets). Replace planning figures with booking-specific data before tendering freight.
Compliance is not only legal entity and customs paperwork. It includes how garments and accessories are made and declared, how packaging is specified, and how printed labels and technical specifications match production and EU market rules.
Conceptual flow — artwork, tech packs, and pack BOMs must match what arrives at the 3PL dock.
A Central Distribution Hub deep in Spain feeds a fast-pick Satellite Fulfilment Unit near Barcelona for efficient regional dispatch. MVP / pilot: both nodes are run by a contracted logistics operator (3PL) — day-to-day warehouse labour, H&S on the floor, and WMS operations sit with that partner, so OHF does not need to hire warehouse staff in Spain for this phase.
Mirrors the card flow below: one primary hub, one regional satellite, then national carriers to trade and consumers.
Legal entity formation, tax registration, EORI, and Egypt export licensing are assumed complete. Product compliance — including garment and accessory materials, packaging materials, printed labels, and technical specifications — is handled under the labelling & packaging scope. Spain warehousing for MVP/pilot is assumed outsourced (3PL) — no OHF warehouse employees on the ground in Spain for that phase. The streams below cover freight, warehousing, distribution, and revenue.
Expand each stream below for the full step list — same order as the summary page.
Entity, tax, EORI, and export licensing are assumed done. These items drive elapsed time on the ops critical path — run them in parallel where possible.
Commercial success in Spain depends on building the right network of retail partners, distributors, and brand allies who believe in OHF and carry our products to consumers.
No multi-quarter runway on this view: at most three months from operations kick-off to go-live milestones, assuming legal entity and registrations are already in place and workstreams run in parallel. Dates are indicative — adjust in your project plan.
Focus: unblock booking, receiving address, and systems.
Freight time (~14–15d Med) overlaps this month; plan clearance on arrival.
Optional 2-month view: compress M1–M2 if broker/WH pre-secured before kick-off.