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Ocean Freight

What is ocean freight transport

Transportation of goods via ocean or sea is the most cost-effective and popular option for the international transport of goods. More than 80% of international trade is transported via ocean freight.

According to the pure definition, ocean freight transport is “the movement of goods by sea, for commercial purposes, using ships as a means of transport”. It’s important to mention that ocean freight and sea freight are synonymous, meaning transporting heavy goods in containers from point A to B via sea.

Ocean freight services

Goods can be transported via ocean going vessel as FCL (a full container load) or LCL (a less than container load) shipments. LCL encompasses several shipments that are loaded into one container and involves more work from the forwarder’s side, such as extra paperwork, consolidation and de-consolidation of goods and so on. That’s why bear in mind when choosing LCL that it takes more time for delivery, increases the risks of damage and loss and costs more per cubic meter. Nevertheless, it’s still a good ocean freight shipping option in some cases.

But if your cargo is large enough for using a container, try using 20-footer container, even if you can’t fill it in full. This will definitely be more cost-effective and time-consuming.

When to choose ocean transportation?

Capacity. Sea freight shipping is often a cost-effective option when you want to import large amount of goods from overseas.
Cost. With ocean freight costing at just 0,5 USD per kilo, it’s a much cheaper option when compared to other options such as air freight.

Lower carbon footprint. Compared to air freight, CO2 freight emissions from ocean freight is small. However, sea freight shipping does take longer and the overall port to port transit time should be considered especially if the goods are required quickly, such as urgent car parts or medical equipment.

Approximate range of ocean freight rates

Very approximately, ocean freight is around 2-4USD/kg. Keep in mind that with the exception of particularly heavy goods, most LCL movements are priced per volume of goods, and not by weight. In general, international sea freight can be the cheapest option for any shipment above 200 kg.

Ocean freight rates depend on a number of variables, and most of them keep changing at different times of the year. Major factors affecting ocean freight rates are fuel, currency rates, season, and vessel capacity.
Sea freight rates are controlled by the shipping lines. To quickly calculate FCL ocean container shipping rates or LCL rates, use the Agora Freight free online calculator. No sign up required!

How to calculate the final cost

You can get sea freight quote online, just, visit Agora Freight free online calculation tool. It is available 24/7 and provides instant quotes for your ocean shipping. Agora Freight clever algorithms, our worldwide agency network, API integrations and a simply designed interface help us give you real-time prices.

If you need to find out about additional sea freight services, contact us directly.

Samples of ocean freight quotations from Agora Freight:

From

Shanghai, China

To

Long Beach (California), China

Cargo type
Quantity
Weight

Container

1х40'HC

20000.0 KG

The cost from 3 000 USD

From

Jebel ali, UAE

To

Novorossiysk, Russia

Cargo type
Quantity
Weight

Container

1х40'

20000.0 KG

The cost from 10 810 USD

From

Nhava Sheva, India

To

Novorossiysk, Russia

Cargo type
Quantity
Weight

Container

1х40'

20000.0 KG

The cost from 10 925 USD

Ocean transportation of cargo has been the main stay of international trade across the world for many centuries.

Agora Freight offers you sea freight shipping between hundreds of ports around the world.
Ocean transport ensures relatively low transport costs per unit, especially when transporting goods over long distances.

Direct contracts with the largest container lines, as well as a network of trusted agents around the world, allows us to offer our customers favourable rates and the organization of maritime transportation on various routes with a high level of service.

Real time sea freight tariffs are available online on our platform 24/7 – receive an instant online quote and get rid of unnecessary communications.

To receive an online quote for ocean freight shipping, you only need to specify:

  • points of origin and destination
  • cargo dimensions and weight (if LCL) or container type (if FCL)

The system will then show online all available routes as well relevant costs. Simply select and book immediately.

For the sea freight services, we have more than a hundred agents around the world, including direct contracts with leading shipping lines.

No registration is required to receive an online quote for sea transportation.

After the booking is placed in a few clicks, an Agora Freight logistics hero will contact you to arrange everything and will be at your disposal during the whole transportation process.

How It Works

01

Enter the route, weight, and dimensions of cargo or a container type.

02

Choose the most suitable options for the shipment of your cargo.

03

Submit your booking which will be immediately assigned to one of our specialists who will manage everything from there.

04

Track your cargo in your personal area, automatic e-mail or sms notifications on status changes may be switched on.

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