Sea freight
Sea freight forwarding, FCL and LCL.
Full containers or shared space, port-to-port or door-to-door. We compare carriers and sailings for each shipment and manage it from booking to delivery, with one named contact throughout.
Overview
The most economical way to move volume over distance.
Ocean freight carries the large majority of world trade by volume, for good reason: per kilogram it is the lowest-cost way to move goods between continents. The trade-off is time. Sailings run to fixed schedules, transit is measured in weeks rather than days, and port congestion or weather can move a schedule.
Because we are carrier-neutral, we are not tied to one shipping line's network or sailing pattern. For each shipment we look at direct and transhipment services, transit time, reliability on the lane and the full landed cost, then recommend one option and explain why. If a slightly slower sailing saves you meaningfully, or a faster one protects a deadline, you will see both.
Photograph to comeVessel at berth, cranes working, blue hour, long lens
What is included
Full containers, shared space, and everything around them.
Every sea freight quote can include as much or as little of the journey as you need.
Full container load (FCL)
Exclusive use of a 20′, 40′ or 40′ high-cube container. Best for volumes from roughly half a container upwards, or when cargo should not be handled alongside other shipments.
Less than container load (LCL)
Your cargo shares a container with other shipments and is charged by volume or weight (W/M). Ideal for smaller or irregular volumes. See FCL vs LCL: how to choose.
Port-to-port or door-to-door
From terminal to terminal only, or including collection from your supplier, export formalities, on-carriage and delivery to your premises.
Documentation
Bill of lading instructions, verified gross mass (VGM) submission and a check of your commercial documents against the booking before the cargo moves.
| Container | Internal volume | Typical usable volume | Max. payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20′ standard | 33 m³ | 25–28 m³ | about 28,000 kg |
| 40′ standard | 67 m³ | 55–58 m³ | about 26,500 kg |
| 40′ high-cube | 76 m³ | 65–68 m³ | about 26,500 kg |
When to choose sea freight
An honest comparison with air and road.
Sea freight is not always the right answer. Here is how we think about it.
Sea freight usually makes sense when
- The cargo is heavy or voluminous relative to its value
- The journey crosses an ocean and there is no practical land route
- You can plan several weeks ahead, or hold buffer stock
- You ship regularly and want predictable, contractable costs
Consider another mode when
- The goods are urgently needed, perishable or high in value per kilogram: air freight is often worth the premium
- Origin and destination are connected by land within a few days' drive: road freight can be faster door-to-door, with less handling
- Your volume is too small even for LCL to be efficient once fixed port charges are added
How a sea shipment runs
From booking to delivery.
Booking and equipment
We book space on the agreed sailing and release the empty container for loading (FCL), or give you the consolidation warehouse and cut-off for delivery (LCL).
Collection and export
Cargo is collected or delivered to the port, export formalities are completed and VGM is declared before the terminal cut-off.
Ocean transit
We confirm loading and departure, share the bill of lading draft for your approval, and keep you informed of any schedule change en route.
Arrival and release
Before arrival we arrange import formalities and document release, so the container can leave the terminal without accruing storage charges.
Delivery
On-carriage to your premises at an agreed time, empty container return within the free time, and proof of delivery to close the file.
Documents
What a sea shipment needs.
We send a checklist with every booking. These are the documents most shipments require.
- Bill of lading (B/L)
- The carrier's receipt for the goods, the contract of carriage and, as an original B/L, a document of title. A sea waybill or telex release can be used where title does not need to transfer by document. See bill of lading.
- Commercial invoice
- States the goods, their value and the Incoterm. Customs at origin and destination rely on it.
- Packing list
- Pieces, packaging, weights and dimensions. It must agree with the invoice and the booking.
- Verified gross mass (VGM)
- Required under the SOLAS convention for every packed container before loading. See VGM.
- Certificate of origin and licences
- Where preferential duty rates apply or the goods are controlled, for example under export control rules.
- Dangerous goods declaration
- For hazardous cargo, a declaration under the IMDG Code and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Transit guidance
How long it typically takes.
Transit times depend on the carrier, the routing (direct or via a transhipment hub) and conditions at each port. Every quote states the transit time for the specific sailing.
- Direct services are faster than routings with transhipment
- LCL usually adds several days for consolidation and deconsolidation
- Port congestion, weather and peak seasons can extend schedules
- Door-to-door adds collection, export and import formalities and delivery
Indicative only
| Trade lane | Indicative port-to-port |
|---|---|
| Within the Mediterranean | 3–10 days |
| Northern Europe to US East Coast | 10–18 days |
| Middle East to Northern Europe | 18–28 days |
| Far East to Northern Europe | 30–45 days |
| Far East to the Mediterranean | 25–35 days |
Indicative port-to-port transit times for FCL. Not a commitment: actual times vary by carrier, routing and season.
Sea freight FAQ
Common questions.
When does FCL become cheaper than LCL?
As a rule of thumb, once your volume reaches around 13–15 m³, a 20′ container is often comparable to or cheaper than LCL, and it is faster because there is no consolidation. The crossover depends on the lane and on fixed charges at each end, so we price both when it is close.
What are demurrage and detention?
Demurrage is charged by the shipping line when a full container stays in the terminal beyond the free time. Detention is charged when the container is kept outside the terminal, for unloading, beyond its free time. We tell you the free time on every booking and plan delivery to stay within it.
What surcharges should I expect?
Typically BAF (fuel), THC (terminal handling at origin and destination), and at times peak season (PSS), low-sulphur fuel (LSS) or security (ISPS) surcharges. Our quotes list each one by name. See how a freight quote is built.
Is my cargo insured during the sea voyage?
Not automatically. Under the Hague-Visby Rules, a carrier's liability is limited to 2 SDR per kilogram or 666.67 SDR per package, whichever is higher, and only where the carrier is at fault. For goods of real value, cargo insurance is advisable. {{TODO: confirm whether Cargo Captain arranges cargo insurance}}
Planning a sea shipment?
Tell us the origin, destination and cargo. You will receive an itemised, all-in quote within {{TODO: quote response time}}, with the sailing and transit time stated.
Your request goes directly to
{{TODO: quote contact name}}
{{TODO: role}}