Posted by Hey, do you have something essential to ship across the ocean? Not getting the exact idea of how to? Then you have come to the right place!
Have you heard about a ‘sea freight forwarder’? If you have not, now is the time to! In simple words, ocean freight forwarding is a process of imports and exports of goods.
Ocean freight forwarding is not as easy as sending a letter, but luckily, there are good ocean freight services that can facilitate the process, allowing you to get your goods where they need to without any stress on you.
Let’s explore what they are and why you need them.
What Are Ocean Freight Services
In simple language, ocean freight forwarding acts as a middleman; it organizes the shipment of goods from one country to another for companies or individuals. The goods can be anything you want, such as packages, crates, containers, or a combination of all three.
They will transport goods via cargo ships. While they don’t typically own the ships they serve, they will take care of the complicated shipping process and ensure your goods reach their destination safely.
Ocean freight services are normally way less expensive than air freight services, but they take more time to reach their destination due to their size and weight limitations, as they are not as fast as a plane!
Now, let’s discuss the benefits of using ocean freight services.
The Benefits Of Sea Freight Forwarding
There are countless benefits when you opt for ocean freight forwarding companies:
● Has Higher Capacity To Ship:
Ocean freight is the best choice to ship bulky things. Other shipping companies can only store light products and ship them!
● Has Fewer Restrictions Than Other Modes Of Transportation
There are not many restrictions on ocean freight forwarding compared to air freight. For example, you can’t ship products that are flammable, like perfumes or medicines (biochemical products) on air freight.
● Ocean Freight Forwarding Is Better For The Environment
When comparing ocean freight shipping with other forms of transporting, cargo ships reduce their carbon footprint to maintain a healthy environment. Their ships will be fuel-efficient, and the emissions will be less than in aircraft.
A study revealed that the carbon footprint of airplanes is 20-30 times more than that of ships.
Services Offered By Ocean Freight Forwarding Companies
There are many types of services they will give you so the transportation of goods goes smoothly.
They Will Help You Manage Necessary Documentation
A good ocean freight forwarding company will take care of all necessary documentation for your shipments, such as bills of lading, customs paperwork, certificates of origin, and import/export permits.
They know international regulations and will make sure the paperwork is being handled nicely.
They Are Good At Negotiation And Booking
Ocean freight forwarding companies can negotiate favorable freight rates on your behalf as they are in contact and have partnerships with shipping lines.
They will analyze what kind of requirements you have and give you many options so you can get the best rates, transmission times, and suitable carriers for your cargo.
Once you are done with the booking, they will make the vital arrangements to ensure your cargo space onboard the vessel is secured.
They Will Track Your Cargo
When you join a reliable sea freight company, they will help you track your cargo’s journey with good tools. The tool will be able to give you:
- Real-time updates of shipment status.
- Vessel location.
- Estimated time for arrival.
- Report on any delays.
This kind of visibility will help you plan your inventory and distribution accordingly.
They Will Assist You In Customs Clearance
A reputed freight forwarding company will have customs brokers who are experienced in local regulations and trade compliance.
They will ensure that customs clearance goes smoothly and will minimize delays or penalties.
Conclusion
Partnering with a certified sea freight forwarder company will ensure a safe and on-time delivery of your cargo. By understanding what they do and what services they provide, you will know what to expect from them.