Sea Freight Solutions

Sea freight, also known as ocean freight, is the transportation of goods via a sea vessel from one seaport to another. Cargo is often consolidated by a freight forwarder into shipping containers or placed directly onto the vessel.

A sea freight forwarder will arrange shipping and warehousing distribution services to ensure that your ordered goods arrive from their overseas source to your intended location. This includes helping you prepare the relevant documentation to obtain customs clearance by both the exporting and importing countries’ customs. Additionally, they will have specialized knowledge about international shipping and can advise you on the laws and fees that both ports abide by to ensure a smooth shipment.

Sea Freight Process with Express Freight Management

Imagine you’re a business owner in the United States who has ordered 500 pairs of sports shoes from a factory in Vietnam. You’ve partnered with Express Freight Management to transport the shoes to your store. Let’s explore what happens behind the scenes.
STEP 1 - CONTAINER PACKING & SEALING

Express Freight Management arranges trucking services to bring a container to the Chinese factory. The 500 pairs of shoes are expertly packed into a 40 ft. container, along with other goods. The container is securely closed, bolted shut, and sealed with a high-security seal by Express Freight Management.

STEP 2 - CONTRACTING CARGO FREIGHT SERVICES

Express Freight Management evaluates the pickup location and opts for the nearest (or most economically viable) port and contracts cargo freight services there.

STEP 3 - EXPORT CLEARANCE

Submission of goods details and relevant documents to customs for inspection. Upon clearance, goods are approved for shipping.

STEP 4 - CARGO LOADING & SHIPPING

Approved cargo is loaded onto the designated ship by experienced personnel, marking the start of its sea journey.

STEP 5 - IMPORT CLEARANCE

Upon arrival, Express Freight Management initiates another round of customs clearance at the destination to expedite the process.

STEP 6 - LAST-MILE DELIVERY

Upon obtaining customs clearance, Express Freight Management ensures the final delivery of goods directly to your doorstep via trucking. In this scenario, you receive your 500 pairs of shoes at your shop, courtesy of Express Freight Management’s seamless logistics services. Our door-to-door approach guarantees a streamlined process and reliable delivery.

Sea Freight VS Air Freight

Sea Freight

Air Freight

Cost

Sea freight is generally more cost-effective, with air freight expenses reaching up to 5-6 times the cost of sea freight, largely due to higher fuel costs. However, total cost considerations also include potential additional expenses, such as inland trucking from seaports to inland destinations.

Capacity

Sea freight triumphs in capacity. Shipping vessels dwarf even the largest cargo planes currently in existence, making it the preferred choice for transporting large volumes of goods.

Speed

Air freight excels in speed, often delivering within days compared to approximately weeks, even months for sea freight. This is especially beneficial when you need to swiftly bring your products to market.

Reliability

Air freight boasts reliability, with airlines typically responding promptly to flight delays, often causing delays of only 1-2 days. In contrast, delays in sea freight schedules can set you back 1-2 weeks or more, as was the case with the Red Sea attacks.

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Who Is Sea Freight Suitable For?

This method of shipping is often ideal for small, lightweight, high-value and time-sensitive goods. Some items that are commonly shipped by air freight include:

LARGE VOLUME SHIPPERS

Sea freight is ideal for businesses that need to transport large volumes of goods. With the ability to accommodate bulky items and substantial quantities, sea freight offers cost-effective solutions for companies shipping in bulk.

NON-URGENT SHIPMENT

Businesses with flexible timelines can benefit from sea freight services. While sea freight may have longer transit times compared to air freight, it offers significant cost savings, making it suitable for non-urgent shipments where delivery speed is not a critical factor.

GLOBAL IMPORTERS/EXPORTERS

For businesses involved in global trade and exporting goods to various international markets, sea freight provides extensive coverage and accessibility to ports worldwide. It enables exporters to reach a broad range of destinations efficiently and economically.

GET QUOTE

Express Freight Management

Express Freight Management is your one-stop shipping solutions provider. With a global reach and a commitment to customer satisfaction, we ensure smooth and efficient shipping from start to finish.

Customer Satisfaction

We are committed to providing exceptional customer service and ensuring your complete satisfaction with our shipping solutions. Our dedicated team goes above and beyond to address your needs, resolve any issues promptly, and ensure a smooth shipping experience from start to finish.

Global Reach

By being located in one of the world’s busiest port-of-call with free-trade zone benefits, we have served a multitude of clients from around the world. To do so, we have partnered with many companies worldwide such as sea carriers like NVOCCs and VOCCs. This ensures that you get the most efficient routes at the most competitive prices.

Personalized Experience

We understand that each of our clients needs is unique. Hence, you will be assigned a personal consultant who will assist you with all your shipping enquiries. The consultant will keep you up to date on the status of your shipments and ensure that your goods arrive at your destination safely and promptly.

FAQs About Sea Freight

What Is Sea Freight?

Sea freight, also known as ocean freight, refers to the transportation of goods via sea vessels from one seaport to another across the globe. It is one of the oldest and most economical modes of transporting goods internationally. Sea freight involves the consolidation of cargo into shipping containers or loading directly onto the vessel for transportation. This method is particularly suitable for large volumes of goods or items that are not time-sensitive. Sea freight offers cost-effectiveness and flexibility in shipping various types of cargo, ranging from raw materials to finished products, across long distances.

How Long Does Sea Freight Usually Take?

Sea freight usually takes anywhere from 1 to 8 weeks, depending on factors such as the distance between the origin and destination, the shipping route, and whether the shipment is traveling directly or with multiple stops. Shorter distances may take a few days, while longer, international shipments can take several weeks.

What Are The Advantages Of Sea Freight Shipping?

Sea freight is cost-effective, can carry large and heavy shipments, and has a global reach. It’s ideal for non-urgent shipments and provides good security for goods in transit.

How Are Sea Freight Costs Calculated?

Sea freight costs are usually determined by the volume or weight of the goods, shipping distance, and any additional services like insurance or customs handling.