A Comprehensive Look at Sea Freight Services

In the realm of the global supply chain, sea freight acquires a vital role. More than 50% of businesses involved in international trade rely on sea freight services. This cost-effective transportation method facilitates the movement of heavy commodities across continents.

Whether importing or exporting goods, sea freight is an ideal option for heavy cargos. Read below to learn how sea transport navigates the challenges of global shipping. Let’s unlock the benefits of sea freight services and dive deep into the details:

What is Sea Freight?

The term ‘’Sea Freight’’ is commonly used in international supply chains. It refers to the transportation of goods through the ocean. Sea freight services utilize cargo ships to transport bulk items. Compared to air freight, it is a cost-effective transportation method. This is the reason why most businesses opt for sea freight services .

The process involves multiple roles, such as the manufacturer, buyer, insurance providers, freight forwarders, port authority, and brokerage.

Furthermore, this service also transports essential commodities for a country. These include aircraft, oil, defence equipment, etc.

How Does Sea Freight Service Work?

Sea freight is the most viable option when it comes to the transportation of heavy loads. The process is smooth and can be done in a few steps. If you are considering ocean transportation for the first time, have a look at how it works:

Find a Shipping Company

Search for a reliable shipping company. Consider a few considerations like reputation, price competitiveness, features, insurance, etc.

Communicate Freight Details

Share accurate details with the company. A shipping expert will likely ask questions regarding weight, type of good, destination, etc. You can send the goods directly or ask the company to pick them up from the supplier. In the latter case, you need to share the address details and pay an additional fee.

Pay the Ocean Freight Charges

After sharing the details, you can finalize the contract by paying the freight charges. The charges will depend on the weight, destination, type, and other factors.

Understanding the Incoterms for Sea Freight

Here is an explanation of some incoterms in sea freight:

FOB (Free on Board)

Both the seller and the buyer agree to share the risk and the cost. The seller is responsible for shipment loading and all costs associated with it. Likewise, the cost associated with unloading and transfer of goods from the port to the destination is the responsibility of the buyer.

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)

The seller takes the entire responsibility of delivering the goods. The cost incurred while loading and unloading or for customs clearance is the seller’s responsibility. In this agreement, the buyer is free from all the responsibilities and costs.

DAP (Delivered at Place)

The seller is not responsible for the clearance of goods. However, the seller will bear the transportation cost of the main carriage.

EXW (Ex Works)

The seller only arranges a place from where the goods will be picked up. Once the seller has arranged and informed the buyer about the place, the rest of the procedure is now dependent on the buyer. The buyer is responsible for arranging the shipment, bearing the cost, and paying for insurance.

CFR (Cost and Freight)

The seller is responsible to deliver the properly packaged goods and load them on the selected shipping container.

CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)

The seller bears the cost of goods, the insurance cost, and the cost of transportation. It is the responsibility of the seller to deliver packaged and cleared goods to the vessel.

CIP (Cost and Insurance Paid To)

The seller bears the insurance cost as well as the cost of carriage. Delivering the goods to the vessel is also the responsibility of the seller.

CPT (Carriage Paid To)

The seller is not obliged for insurance coverage. However, delivering the packaged goods to the destination is the seller’s responsibility.

Types of Sea Freight Containers

Different types of containers are used in ocean transportation. Here is a brief explanation of each of them:

20FT DC

This standard container for dry cargo is made from aluminum or steel. It is water-resistant and keeps your goods safe on the go.

40FT DC

This container is ideal for pallets. On average, it can transport around 20 pallets.

40FT HC

The 40FT HC container is a great alternative to containers with limited space. It can carry huge weight and facilitate easy loading and unloading. Even if the port space is limited, it is helpful. Being less cumbersome, it perfectly eliminates all hurdles in sea transportation.

Flat Rack

These containers are used explicitly for heavy loads. They can carry as much as 50,000 kg. Due to their huge capacity, they are more expensive than the 20FT container.

Open Top

For heavy machinery or cargo that is difficult to move sideways, an Open-Top container is a perfect solution. It is highly durable and has an open design from the top, enabling easy loading and unloading.

Get Sea Freight Services from DWWLG

At Dynamic World Wide Logistics Group , we offer comprehensive sea freight services. With thousands of businesses on board, we play a pivotal role in revolutionizing international trade. We offer tailored solutions, real-time tracking, flexible options, smooth documentation, and more. Make the right shipping decisions with our team. Talk to our representative for all queries and concerns.

Leverage the advantage of ocean freight with us!