Ocean freight is the transport of commercial cargo by sea using containers, bulk vessels or specialized shipping services. It is commonly used for large or less time-sensitive international shipments.
Which service types are common?
Options include full container load, less than container load, break bulk, roll-on/roll-off, dry bulk and project cargo.
How is ocean freight priced?
Pricing may be per container, revenue ton or shipment, plus bunker or fuel, terminal, documentation, security, origin and destination charges.
What determines transit time?
Route, sailing frequency, transshipment, port congestion, weather, cut-offs, customs and inland connections all affect the end-to-end schedule.
What documents are used?
Common documents include booking confirmation, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, customs filings and certificates required for the goods.
What should a shipper compare?
Compare total route cost, cut-offs, free time, reliability, handling, insurance, equipment and delivery requirements rather than only the base ocean rate.
