Sea Freight Sydney | FCL & LCL Shipping

Sea freight, also called ocean freight, moves goods by ship. Sharp Blue arranges sea freight in Sydney for importers and exporters, a cost-effective way to transport large quantities of goods over long distances.

Goods are usually loaded into a shipping container and carried by cargo ship. At the destination port the container can be moved by truck or train to its final destination. Most container shipping to and from Sydney goes through Port Botany, NSW’s largest container port. Sea freight is slower than air freight but generally cheaper, which makes it a good choice when you want to control your shipping costs.

Types of Sea Freight We Arrange

Full Container Load (FCL)

Your goods have a whole container to themselves. The container is sealed at the origin and stays closed until it reaches its destination. FCL suits larger volumes and sensitive cargo.

Less Than Container Load (LCL)

Your goods share a container with other shippers. They are consolidated at a warehouse and separated again at the destination. LCL suits smaller shipments, although handling charges apply at both ends.

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo)

Vehicles, trucks and other wheeled machinery are driven or towed on and off the vessel.

Breakbulk

Large items that cannot go in a container, such as machinery and construction equipment, are shipped as individual units and loaded with cranes and other specialised equipment.

We also arrange customs clearance and inland transportation, so one team can manage your shipment from origin to final destination. For temperature-sensitive cargo, see our frozen and chilled cargo page.

The cost of sea freight depends on the volume or weight of your goods, the distance, the type of service and the type of cargo. Dangerous goods may need special handling. The ports of origin and destination and extras such as customs clearance and insurance also affect the price. As your volume grows, the cost gap between LCL and FCL narrows, so it is worth comparing both. Tell us about your cargo and we will advise you on the options.

Why Choose Sea Freight?

Lower Cost for Large Shipments

Sea freight is usually cheaper than air freight, especially for large or heavy shipments.

Large Capacity

Ships carry large volumes of goods in a single journey.

Heavy and Bulky Cargo

A good option for machinery, commodities and other items that are difficult to move by air.

Established Routes

Regular shipping routes and well-developed processes connect major ports.

Lower Emissions

Sea freight generally produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions per tonne than air freight.

Flexible Options

FCL, LCL, RoRo and breakbulk services let you choose what suits your cargo.

Sea Freight