Sea Freight

Sea freight, also known as ocean freight, is the process of transporting goods by ship. It is a cost-effective way to transport large quantities of goods, especially over long distances.

It is often used to transport goods from manufacturers in one country to distributors in another country. The goods are typically loaded onto a shipping container, which is then loaded onto a cargo ship. The shipping container can be transferred to a truck or train for transportation to its destination once it reaches the port of destination. Sea freight is a slower mode of transportation compared to air, but it is generally less expensive.

There are several different types of sea freight services, including:

Full Container Load (FCL)

This is the most common type of sea freight service, in which a shipping container is filled with goods from a single shipper. The container is sealed and remains closed until it reaches its destination.

Less Than Container Load (LCL)

This is a sea freight service in which goods from multiple shippers are consolidated into a single container. The goods are usually loaded and unloaded at a freight forwarding warehouse, where they are sorted and consolidated into full containers before being shipped to their final destination.

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo)

This is a sea freight service in which vehicles, such as cars and trucks, are loaded onto a ship by rolling them on and off the vessel. RoRo ships are typically used to transport vehicles, but they can also be used to transport other types of rolling stock, such as trains and airplanes.

Breakbulk

This is a service in which large, non-containerized items, such as machinery and construction equipment, are shipped as individual units. Breakbulk cargo is typically loaded and unloaded using cranes and other specialized equipment.

In addition to these types of services, carriers may also offer value-added services, such as storage, customs clearance, and distribution.

The cost is usually calculated based on the volume or weight of the goods being shipped, the distance they are being transported, and the type of shipping service used. Other factors that can affect the cost include the type of cargo being shipped (e.g. hazardous materials may require special handling), the port of origin and destination, and any additional services required (e.g. customs clearance, insurance, etc.

There are several benefits of using the sea for shipping goods:

Cost-effective

It is generally more cost-effective than air freight, especially for large shipments.

Large cargo capacity

Ships have a large cargo capacity, which means that they can transport a large volume of goods at once.

Suitable for heavy and bulky items

It is an ideal option for shipping heavy and bulky items that may be difficult to transport by air.

Reliable

The shipping industry has a well-established infrastructure and processes in place, making it a reliable mode of transportation.

Sustainable

Shipping goods by sea is more environmentally friendly than air, as it generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Flexibility

There are many different types of ships and shipping routes to choose from, which gives shippers a lot of flexibility in terms of how they want to transport their goods.