Most Important Questions About Sea Freight Answered

These days we’re accustomed to finding everything we need in stores or online. But for the global supply chain to function, many elements within it need to work well. A big part of that complex process is sea freight shipping.

The image of a giant ocean carrier loaded with countless containers has become synonymous with sea freight. UK-based businesses have relied on this type of freight transport for decades and continue to do so.

If you’re planning on starting or expanding your business and require a sea freight & logistics solution, you probably have some questions like – what is sea freight and how does it work? Here, we have answered all those questions.

Sea Freight Shipping Explained

First and foremost, let’s define sea freight. UK-based companies who need their goods shipped to the other parts of the world rely on sea freight. In essence, sea freight is a method of transporting huge amounts of cargo via carrier ships.

On average, a single ocean carrier can carry up to 18,000 containers and move from one continent to another efficiently. There are several ways to use sea freight to transport goods across the world.

One option is the Full Container Load or FCL, which means that a single company can purchase more containers and use them as they want. The other option is the Less than Container Load or LCL, where a company can share a container if they can’t fill it.

Finally, the third option is Roll On Roll Off or RORO, meaning cargo doesn’t leave the truck but goes on the ship.

When answering the what is sea freight shipping question, it’s important to remember that this method of transport is only one cog in the enormous machine that is a supply chain network. However, the significance and impact of sea freight transport are indisputable.

How Much Does Sea Freight Shipping Cost?

One of the reasons why sea freight is so widely used for international shipping is because it’s still the most affordable solution. Still, many factors contribute to the actual rates and the final cost of transportation.

Learning about prices and rates is essential to understanding what is sea freight. Charges will vastly vary on the current price of fuel, for example? If you choose to use a fuel with lower emissions, that will impact the final shipping rate. Furthermore, how much a carrier will charge for the cargo depends on what container you buy.

But many other aspects come into the equation. The charges for handling shipment and destination port custom fees will depend on location and customs.

The processing Bill of Lading fee is another significant expense to keep in mind. Finally, negotiating to get the best price is a major part of the sea freight shipping industry, where sea freight forwarding services can be beneficial.

What Are Sea Freight Forwarders?

Sea freight shipping seems pretty straightforward on the surface. Cargo goes onto a boat and arrives at its destination – that’s all there is to it. In reality, moving goods from port A to port B is complicated. Plus, sea freight is often combined with other forms of freight transport.

Once the cargo arrives at the destination ports, it needs to be unloaded and often placed in a warehouse. All of this takes time to organise and ensure that it goes smoothly. Otherwise, a lot of money and time could be wasted.

Sea freight forwarding services are provided by reliable forwarder companies that take on the task of handling all relevant logistics. They’re the intermediaries, not the carriers. They connect the two parties and ensure everyone gets what they need from the arrangement.

A freight forwarder company gathers the documentation relevant to shipping, handles customs, the Bill of Lading, and arranges transport to the warehouse when necessary. More importantly, with freight forwarding services, clients gain access to a vast network of freight forwarding partners that have all been vetted.

How Does Sea Freight Cargo Tracking Works?

When you’re shipping goods internationally via ocean carrier, it’s natural to wonder about the safety of the containers. Sea freight shipping works well overall, but it’s still necessary to track cargo and ensure it gets to the destination on time and in good condition.

Rather than stress about their shipment, businesses typically outsource this problem to freight forwarders. One of the most crucial sea freight forwarding services elements is sea freight cargo tracking. When containers have been filled with cargo, they receive a tracking code.

Your freight forwarder is obligated to provide the code and the software you can use to keep track of the cargo. Well-established and reliable sea freight forwarding companies use sophisticated tracking methods.

What Are the Biggest Advantages of Sea Freight Shipping?

We’ve addressed some benefits of sea freight transport, such as relatively low costs, especially when compared to air freight shipping. Until air freight becomes more affordable, sea freight shipping will be the most cost-effective method of international cargo transport.

But there are other significant advantages. Namely, sea freight shipping is usually the only option for transporting and manoeuvring very large and bulky products and for transporting hazardous materials.

Via sea freight forwarding services, companies can ship anything they want wherever they want. Furthermore, sea freight is the most carbon-efficient, efficient, and safe form of international transport.

What Are the Biggest Disadvantages of Sea Freight Shipping?

When answering the most relevant questions about sea freight & logistic solution, we have to discuss some disadvantages.

Sea freight is not the best solution for transporting a smaller number of goods. It’s often more cost-effective to opt for air freight instead.

But the biggest and most obvious drawback of sea freight is time. In some cases, transit times can take 10 to 50 days, depending on the starting port and the destination.

What Is the Future of Sea Freight Shipping?

The ocean shipping industry is constantly evolving. New tracking technologies are emerging, and freight forwarding companies are adapting. There is a lot to pay attention to in the future, including how sea freight will affect the global supply chain in the coming years. Digitisation and automation are top priorities, but developing more environmentally-friendly practices. For now, these are the most critical facts about sea freight. UK-based forwarders should always stay at the top of all innovations and changes to ensure the best possible service to their clients.