A good understanding of how sea freight shipping works allows business owners to experience a more comprehensive, protected, and cost-efficient transportation experience. The wide variety of transport options, vessels, and types of cargo may seem puzzling at first, especially for businesses new to maritime shipping. However, it is crucial to know the basics of sea cargo in order to leverage its full advantage.
This article outlines the key facets of sea freight logistics, such as the kinds of services and documentation, to help you optimize your shipping process and find the right provider to partner with.
Essential Aspects of Sea Freight Shipping that Business Owners Should Know
Sea Freight Services
Less than Container Load (LCL)
LCL shipping is one of the most flexible and affordable maritime logistics solutions. A sea freight forwarder consolidates shipments from various clients in a single shipping container. This also means you pay only for the space you occupy, instead of a whole container. It is not the fastest option, however, as consolidation and deconsolidation can be quite time-consuming. LCL shipping is better designed for moderate priority to less priority goods, or businesses with infrequent shipments.
Full Container Load (FCL)
Full container load shipping is when you pay for and occupy a whole container (10ft, 20ft, or 40ft). It provides a wider storage space for large, bulky, or high-volume goods. Contrary to LCL, FCL gives you exclusive space and more security due to the absence of deconsolidation. If you have the necessary resources, a business can transport their own containers straight to their door or logistics hub.
Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo)
RoRo shipping offers versatility, particularly for wheeled, tracked, and packaged cargo. Vehicles and other wheeled cargo can easily be driven on and off the vessel using built-in ramps. This is essential for industries like manufacturing, transportation (buses, vans, cars, motorcycles), agriculture, industrial machinery, and construction. RoPax (RoRo passenger) service, is one of the sea freight services that offers both passenger, vehicle, and cargo transport.
Dry Bulk
General, unpackaged cargo is called dry bulk. These cargos are loose, not containerized, and can be loaded directly into the hold. Common examples of dry bulk are grains, coals, ore, construction materials like sand, gravel, or cement, fertilizers, or sugar. Dry bulk is loaded using hoppers, conveyor belts, industrial pumps, and other specialized equipment.
Liquid Bulk
Liquid bulk is another shipping commodity that requires specialized vessels and cargo handling. Crude oil, gasoline, diesel, LNG, LPG, chemicals, and liquid food products are usually carried on tanker vessels.
Sea freight shipping companies like Chelsea Logistics and Chelsea Shipping specialize in transporting liquid and gaseous products for some of the top petroleum firms in the Philippines. These are stored in robust, heavy-duty MR tankers that protect it against inclement weather and maritime challenges.
Out of Gauge (OOG)
OOG refers to loose sea freight cargo that are so large and bulky that they do not fit within the standard shipping container dimensions. Instead, these goods require specialized container configurations, such as open-top and flat racks. Sea freight forwarders also apply specific handling techniques to ensure OOG cargo stays intact.
Courier
Sea freight companies also offer courier services. It is a priority service where documents, parcels, agricultural products, or boxed cargo are delivered faster than containerized or dry bulk. Port-to-port shipping can take just 24 hours or less, while some companies offer door-to-door, port-to-door, or door-to-port solutions.
Types of Cargo and Vessels
- RoRo – Designed for accommodating rolling cargo, vehicles, passengers, and packaged cargo.
- Container Ship – Built with large cargo holds, loading, and securing mechanisms for shipping containers.
- Reefer Vessel – Contain comprehensive cooling and ventilation systems to protect frozen and temperature-sensitive goods.
- Tanker – Equipped with double-layered hull, coated linings, pressure monitoring, temperature controls, and pumping systems for handling liquid and gas cargo.
- Dry Bulk Carrier – Configured with reinforced structure to handle the weight and properties of dry bulk, as well as large hatches, deck cranes, grabs, and conveyor systems to unload cargo.
Logistics Documentation
- Bill of Lading – Every cargo shipper has to present a bill of lading when loading their shipment. This is where all information about your goods can be found, such as the port of loading and discharge, destination, receiving party, weight and dimensions, vessel, and the like.
- Port Link / Destination – The cargo manifest, relevant shipping documents, and other vessel-specific documents must be submitted at the port of destination.
- Sea Freight Forwarder – Acts as an intermediary, offering sea freight logistics solutions, cargo handling, cargo insurance, logistics planning, and coordination.
- Certifications and Permit/s to Transport – Applicable to certain agricultural, fishing, industrial components and machinery, or dangerous goods to be transported.
For securing complex cargo documentation, check with your logistics provider if they offer client assistance. Personnel with extensive knowledge in shipment are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate complicated processes.
Sea freight shipping is full of cost-friendly and flexible options that help you achieve your business goals. By familiarizing yourself with the basic types of cargo and documentation, you can manage your expectations and prepare a realistic, hassle-free plan for transporting your products.
ALSO READ: 8 Tips To Ensure Sustainability in Transport and Logistics
Chelsea Logistics provides the Philippines’ most comprehensive sea freight solutions. Each of our subsidiaries, Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Starlite Ferries, SuperCat, and Chelsea Shipping Corp. deliver specialized passenger and cargo shipping services, no matter where you are in the Philippines.
