What is ocean shipping?

The logistics industry is an extremely dynamic sector that constantly improves the performance of different types of services. Even in international shipping, it is critical for every customer and specialist to understand the fundamentals: What are ocean freight services? What constitutes basic cargo? How to ship goods internationally? In the bottom line, you will be introduced to all of these and more important things.

What are ocean freight services?

Ocean freight services are designed to assist shippers. They aim to ensure that the necessary goods are transported to another country. This whole process now provides much more peace of mind for all involved; arriving at the endpoint is much more reliable because it is done under strict supervision.

Furthermore, freight forwarders assist customers in international transportation from a financial standpoint. There are two benefits: Speeding up delivery and transportation at low prices. The individuals involved in this task are experienced and offer reliable door-to-door delivery between two different countries.

What are the main cargoes transported across the ocean?

It cannot be said that there are typical cargoes because customers need daily transport of various goods. Although there are some restrictions in this regard, more articles are allowed for sea freight. There are just some types of dangerous and non-perishable goods that require more specific transportation conditions. For example, a product with low durability is placed in a suitable container, and some are frozen to remain dry.

It is important that the shipping agent checks your shipment and makes sure it meets the ocean freight requirements. Usually, if you have a shipment over 100 kg or a load with multiple boxes, this means that the shipment corresponds to ocean freight. You just have to load it properly, but that’s the job of the specialists.

How are things delivered internationally?

The answer to the question “how” is the responsibility of the professionals to whom you decide to outsource your shipment. However, it is a good idea to be familiar with the type of shipping and the containers and ships through which it is operated. A major unit of the global economy (TEU) plays a very important role here: twenty feet equivalent.

Vessel-contained cargo containers are most commonly used in international shipping. The entire import and export procedure goes through precision packing, loading of the ship, and passing through the relevant customs to get the goods to their final destination. That’s why a twenty-foot unit is important; it’s any average shipping container. The number of articles should be at least that, although the average size of new containers is beginning to be understood as being about 40 feet.

You’ll frequently see letters like FEU or 2 TEU. And while FEU is considered the most popular size of a shipping container, it is still possible for customers to take advantage of 20-foot containers. All of these conditions will have to be negotiated with companies that ship overseas.

Keep in mind that ocean freight is becoming more secure and modern. For example, some containers have built-in technology that allows full tracking of the shipment, identifying where they are and what’s inside. Innovation is also occurring in terms of load capacity; the maximum capacity is increasing.

Maersk is the largest international shipping company in the world, and there have been major improvements. It has a huge base and capacity that allow the transport of multiple containers. In short, international shipping is today’s most effective solution possible. There are many automated ports in developed countries, where loading and unloading are very quick, easy, and cheaper.

Where is international shipping done?

Yes, this is also an interesting question for anyone who wants to know a little more about ocean freight. The truth is that some companies offer imports and exports worldwide, so you are unlikely to encounter difficulties in this regard. The cost of entry in some countries is already higher.

Massively, however, there is high traffic by sea, following a route from China to the US West Coast. Exports from Asian cities are based on almost 50% of the maritime trade that exists at all. Keep in mind that under better weather conditions, shipments can be sped up and prices are cheaper. Check out several offers to choose the best one to transport your shipment.

How long does it take to transport ocean freight?

Time is a relative term, as unforeseen situations can always arise. The good thing is that nowadays they are getting smaller, and in most cases, everything goes according to plan. Many factors affect the time of transportation by ocean.

For example, do you know that the time the shipment is in water and the time it takes from point A to point B are not the same? Many steps need to be performed carefully to reach the final location.

Although carriers will give you an indicative time during which the shipment is expected to arrive at the opposite party, this is influenced by the location of the goods, the likelihood of delay (customs, incorrect information, insufficient documentation when entering the other country).

What is the current state of international shipping’s economic situation?

Maritime trade is the most common way of transporting goods between countries. Years ago, this innovation became a continuous trend, and as a result, money is constantly invested in improving technology. Growth is seen almost every year, which means that there is strong demand and customers are satisfied. Carriers are also investing in the addition of new ships, with more capacity and additional routes.

This led to a real financial disaster for the major contractors of these overseas operations: Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM Group. There was a fight for low tariffs, and this was achieved, but the big companies suffered serious damage and slowly recovered over time. From this endeavor, the companies that buy and sell international goods have benefited, and the port operators make a net profit and are more than satisfied.

Different types of shipping

There are many types of ships available to transport goods around the world, so we can prepare deals for all types of needs. Not all international merchants can fill ships with a large capacity, so there is a wide range of ships. The one that will best suit the type of cargo and the way it will be transported is selected.

Here are the types of ships that can be used for ocean transport:

Container ships, also known as “ship boxes,” with capacities of 20 or 40 cubic feet are used. Stacked on the deck itself and below it
General cargo ships are great if you have bulk cargo. The type of goods does not matter, they will be combined appropriately. Usually, carriers are engaged in bulk goods, including fertilizers, ore, grain, and other
Roll-on-roll (ro-ro) vessels are intended for the transport of road and passenger vehicles. If you are interested in road haulage, you need to look at some aspects in more depth and get in touch with more companies that offer this service.
Tankers for oil and gas in bulk transportation.

A merchant operates his business with all these types of ships in two main ways:

Linear ships: the specific thing about them is that they work to a fixed standard that the client must agree to. They have specific routes, timetables, and a standard fare. These types of deals are quite preferred by clients because they get a cheaper price. They are dominated by container ships, carriers, roll carriers, and general cargo ships.
Springboard: They are tailored and fully operational according to the client’s desire. A person hires them for a particular load. Their ports of loading and unloading are chartered, and their cost is variable and significantly higher; it is determined by current demand and supply. The majority of charter bulk carriers and carriers operate in such markets.

What influences ocean freight rates?

Overseas shipping is often the cheapest option for large shipments. However, for kids, it is quite unprofitable, so you should keep this in mind when preparing the goods. The tariffs of the companies are different and quite dynamic, as there are constant variables in different periods of the year.

Some major factors summarize the formation of the final price for ocean freight:

Fuel: the main factor is undoubtedly the fuel that will be required to reach the shipment’s endpoint. With the constant change in oil prices, there is a change in the freight charge. Carriers are directly affected by fuel prices, and on this basis, they prepare tariffs.
Capacity: if demand is constantly increasing and maximum capacity is always filled, then value also increases. When supply is enough or less, prices go down
Currency: The US dollar can be said to be the most widely used currency when using international ocean freight, but there are exceptions nonetheless. The exchange rates are relevant for the tariff that will be set by the transport company. In some money markets, there are quite large variations in the price of the currency, so there may be daily changes in tariffs and international water shipping.
Seasonality: Goods are rotated according to the seasonal needs of people. This, in turn, has an impact on ocean freight rates. That is why some goods go up in price over the year.
Each shipping line may offer you a different price because they are directly controlled by them. They will quickly prepare you a specific offer according to the current conditions and the cargo to be transported from point A to point B.