Ocean freight shipping is defined as the transportation of goods using the shipping containers of a maritime boat or vessel.
Ocean freight requires the use of a freight forwarder to find and organize space within a ship in coordination with a ship agent. The goods are generally transported to the port of origin using a truck and then shipped to the port of the destination where the goods are transferred to the local importer.
Sea freight has several advantages over other transportation means:
DHL Ocean Freight
DHL Ocean Freight specializes in providing services for full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipments.
The company currently processes more than 2 million cubic meters of LCL each year across the globe.
The Good Stuff:
- Strong global brand that with resources across all continents.
- Multiple options across products such as flexitanks for the transportation of bulk-liquids and Ocean Thermonet for temperature controlled ocean freight.
- Vetted quality control across the organization.
The Bad Stuff:
- Less personalized service given the large nature of the organization.
4.5/5 Stars
Geodis Logistics
Geodis offers solutions across FCL, LCL, or a combination of Sea-Air. The company also also has special programs if you require transport insurance or need to move oversized cargo.
The Good Stuff:
- Excellent balance between cost efficient transportation and timely arrival.
- The company is committed to social responsibility.
The Bad Stuff:
- Recent entry into the US freight forwarding market.
4/5 Stars
C. H. Robinson
C.H. Robinson is a Fortune 500 company focused broadly on the logistics and transportation industry. The company has a strong focus on ocean freight.
The Good Stuff:
- The company is the largest non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) from China to the US.
- Has services for full container load (FCL) or less than container load (LCL) cargo across all major shipping routes
The Bad Stuff:
- Extremely large organization with potentially a less personalized service.
4.5/5 Stars
How to decide...
Make sure that your ocean freight forwarder has a strong grasp of the customs clearance process.
Understanding which commodities are being transported as well the nuances of tariffs, import/export duties, and declared value will have major implications to your business.
