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Find NVOCC for busy Mediterranean ports

Some NVOCC companies have great resources for getting cargo through the glutted lines of commercial ships and containers at Mediterranean ports like Barcelona, or those in southern France.

I recommend: Dangel Container Services provides customers regular container services into the red sea and surrounding areas of the Middle East. Use the handy Container Line pages at Troy Container Lines to see how this NJ-based company can get your items to a Mediterranean port.

Find NVOCC logistics and solutions for Pacific Rim countries

Lots of business experts will tell you there are some pretty specific challenges with shipping to Pacific Rim nations. Specialized NVOCC business service shops will help you avoid these hangups and get your cargo where it needs to go.

I recommend: Get solutions for Pacific Rim shipping at Pacific Rim Logistics: use the photo gallery and other resources to find out more. Find out about more services like Pacific Rim Shipbrokers in Washington for making the most of NVOCC and getting goods westward from the U.S. West Coast states.

Find world wide networks for NVOCC services to anywhere

Some of our modern NVOCC operations have been built up to handle freight services to any place that you can imagine. Take a look at the online offerings and then talk to reps about getting specific NVOCC service fixes.

I recommend: Check out the global network operations of See Sped USA for ways to get your cargo to anywhere in the world. Get more on worldwide shipments from Amber Worldwide, from a location just next to the JFK/La Guardia airport area in New York.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you are looking to team up with NVOCC services, try to build up a long term understanding of how multiple shipments can be processed. NVOCC outsourcing is a relationship: better communications lead to bonuses for both sides, and a better bottom line in the long run. Assist your NVOCC service by providing accurate information about collective weights, time lines and more.

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Find NVOCC freight forwarders in the Pacific for shipments to China, Japan and the Pacific Rim

It is notoriously difficult to establish stable trade with Pacific Rim countries. By choosing a NVOCC company that already has established relationships with Pacific transporters, you can assure you cargo arrives where and when it should.

I recommend: Nippon Express USA specializes in shipping goods to many locations in North America, the Pacific Islands and Asia. Logistics Integrator Pte Ltd works closely with new companies trying to gain a foothold in Asia. They have a full range of intermodal partners in Asia, North America and South America.

Use NVOCC services in the Atlantic to ship to Europe, Africa or the Middle East

The port density in European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern shipping zones can be overwhelming for a new shipper. Using established NVOCC companies will help you navigate the difficult shipping lanes in this congested area.

I recommend: North Atlantic Services has contacts across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Middle East. The Atlantic Connection works as a NVOCC company and has a large number of connections in all forms of freight hauling.

Find NVOCC companies that will insure your goods if your standard insurance doesn't cover them

Shipping your cargo through middlemen will often change the insurance coverage. Always double-check your coverage and pick up NVOCC insurance if necessary.

I recommend: There are several companies that offer NVOCC insurance. Take a look at Jagro for basic policies or the International Mover’s Network for an online quote form.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many NVOCC companies have partnerships with intermodal companies both in North America and around their common ports overseas. It is possible that a single company can provide door-to-door service for your cargo.

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Get news from NVOCC trade associations

Some of the best places online to get news on NVOCC services is at the sites of established trade associations where NVOCC companies network to provide shipping solutions to a range of business clients. From customs and tariffs to freight consolidations (an important service where NVOCC companies help businesses share ship space) all of it can be found at these hubs of information.

I recommend: The TIA (Transportation Intermediaries Association) helps clients with cargo shipping by air, land and sea. Find out about industry news in their media center and other pages on the comprehensive website. Get more from the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America at their website.

Find more about NVOCC services from professional and government sources

Other sites offer diverse sources for learning about NVOCC shipping, including government sites, which can be helpful in identifying concerns and challenges, and professional advice sites, where references can help business leaders plan shipments.

I recommend: The Ocean Transport and NVOCC reference center is maintained by professional counsel who get involved with logistics and customs in between national boundaries. Businesses can get yet another view of NVOCC operations from news resources from the Federal Maritime Commission for the U.S. government's take on NVOCC logistics and operations.

Get more from NVOCC company sites

More NVOCC news is compiled at sites where companies offer shipping solutions. Check archives and backlogged articles to find out about trends throughout the industry and how they could affect your shipping projects.

I recommend: Outsourced Logistics provides more details and news on NVOCC trends on their web pages. Find more at 3PL Wire (Third Party Logistics) on NVOCC news and trends related to current procedures for international freight handling.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you're making a connection with an NVOCC company, make it long-term. Over time, a NVOCC provider can help you really consolidate shipping and stay effective while exporting.

Guide to NVOCC Key Terms

Understanding Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) services and acronyms

By Michelle Cramer

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Freight container

It is crucial to know what a freight container is if your company plans to use it for shipping overseas. There are more than five million freight containers in use across the globe and there are several standards and regulations in place for their use.

I recommend: The International Organization for Standardization explains freight container standards.

Container Freight Station (CFS)

The Container Freight Station (CFS) refers to the loading dock where containerized cargo is loaded and unloaded. At the CFS, inventory is taken of the shipment and work is performed to make sure all the shipping parties have complied with international shipping regulations.

I recommend: World Trade Distribution describes CFS services it provides. Fuerst Humphrey Ittleman, a law firm in Miami, briefly explains part of the CFS process.

Cross dock operations

Cross dock operations refers to a process that eliminates the middle man from maritime cargo shipments. Upon arrival and unloading at the destination port, companies transport the goods directly to the customer rather than to their warehouse for secondary distribution.

I recommend: An article on MultiChannel Merchant explains the rising trend in cross dock operations. Nippon Express, an NVOCC company, explains the cross dock operations service it provides.

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is an independent agency that regulates maritime shipments in and out of the United States. It is responsible for developing and maintaining regulations, administering policies, monitoring ocean carrier activities and many other tasks.

I recommend: Learn more about the Federal Maritime Commission on its website.

NVOCC Service Agreement (NSA)

An NVOCC Service Agreement, or NSA, is an agreement between the NVOCC and its client for the provision of specified freight container space in exchange for an agreed-upon rate of sale.

I recommend: The Federal Maritime Commission explains NSAs in greater detail. Explore the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations on shipping provided by GPO Access for more information on NVOCCs and their service contracts.

Full Container Load (FCL) or Less Than Container Load (LCL)

FCL and LCL are common terms used in the NVOCC industry in reference to services an NVOCC provides. Full container load refers to using an entire freight container for your shipping needs. Less than container load refers to using only part of a freight container for smaller shipments.

I recommend: Visit Export911 for a comparison of FCL and LCL. Direct Container Line explains the FCL and LCL services it provides.