Businesses that export goods and commodities usually face some challenges when it comes to transporting their products to their customers. To overcome this challenge, they need to hire services such as sea freight, air freight or transport companies that will take care of the logistics of their goods.
As the world’s most affordable way of shipping, sea freight plays a vital role in the global supply chain. To know some facts about sea freight services, read on.
It is more cost-effective than air freight services but the delivery takes time
As compared to air shipments, sea freight is calculated by volume. This means that you can move heavy cargo for a lower price than you would to ship via air. However, take note that cargo ships typically operate on a weekly schedule. Because of this, shipment is processed at a much slower rate. Most sea shipments take around a month to arrive depending on the route, destination and other factors.
Sea Freight May Require the Use of an International Freight Forwarder
To book a sea freight service, you may need the help of a freight forwarding company. The freight forwarder will take care of your goods from the dock to their destination. They will be responsible for the packing, crating and storage needs of your cargo as well as the filing of export documentation. In addition to this, freight forwarders usually charge low rates for their services and have access to shipping discounts.
Two Common Sea Freight Services
• Full Container Load (FCL)
Full Container Loads refer to a 20ft, 40ft or 45ft container filled with cargo. They are a perfect choice when you have enough goods to fill a container. They are ideal when you are shipping large items such as cars, furniture and machinery.
• Less than Container Load (LCL)
Less than Container Load are shipments that don’t fill a standard container. In LCL, cargo from multiple consignees can be shipped together in one container. Once it arrives at the destination port, the goods are separated at a container freight station. LCL may be expensive to ship per unit of freight as compared to FCL, but it is a cheaper option for small shipments.
Backed by years of experience, AMCO Services take all the complexities out of international freight logistics. With a range of sea freight services to choose from, you can rest assured that your goods will be delivered as safely and quickly as possible. For an efficient and affordable service, please feel free to get in touch with us today.