Ocean Freight Basics

How maritime transport can be a cost effective solution for your business

Ocean freight companies can offer a cost effective solution for your business if your product is non-perishable and not time sensitive. Take for example a paper product printed in Hong Kong. Costwise, it is less expensive to not only print there, but to ship from there as well compared to going print rates in the US. What you have to make sure, though, is that you are working with a reputable ocean transport company who is up front with all shipping, customs and other fees as well as who is insured in case of loss of the ship or product.

Ocean freight basics include a variety of services. The first is full container load, followed up by less-than-container load service. Some companies ship closed container, while other companies ship open air. Automobiles are also popular items moved by ocean and maritime transport.

To find out more about ocean freight basics:

1. Look at two of the biggest B2B ocean transport providers and see how their services stack up.

2. Check out the laws surrounding ocean freight shipping.

3. Take a look at government resources surrounding ocean transport.

 

Compare two of the biggest national shipping companies and their ocean freight services

See how FedEx and UPS services stack up. As two of the biggest national carriers, they bring a bulk transport discounts advantage.
Try: UPS offers a comprehensive look at the difference between ocean freight services. As one of the world's leading Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC), UPS can help you maximize your route and your transit time to best manage your ocean shipments. FedEx also offers comparable services in the freight shipping industry. With FedEx Trade Networks, they will help you work with their most reliable ocean carriers and help answer any questions you might have about the transit.

Familiarize yourself with maritime transport law

Become accustomed to maritime transport law including customs, piracy information as well as duties and fees to bring items into and out of each country.
Try: Take advantage of the Freight Detective Ocean & NVOCC Center to find ocean transport legal services, search engines and database information. FindLaw offers a portal of Admiralty Law information that covers ocean transport and customs law.

Use government resources on ocean transport

Take advantage of government resources available for ocean freight shipping. The US government has a portal of information has millions of web pages, including those covering maritime transport.
Try: Find out from the Bureau of Labor Statistics how the price change for inbound ocean freight in the U.S. Import/Export price indexes is measured. Did you know that there is an Ocean Freight Reimbursement (OFR) Program available that allows recipients to ship a wide variety of goods overseas for use in privately funded development and humanitarian assistance programs. It is a competitive grant issued to 50 Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) and can be used to ship such items as medical supplies, educational supplies, agricultural equipment and building equipment to developing countries. Find a Ocean Transportation Intermediaries (OTI) List from the Federal Maritime Commission. Learn how ocean freight rates are calculated in the agriculture sector from the Agriculture Marketing Service.

 

• Don't be afraid to look at lesser known ocean freight companies. Just because they are not a FedEx or a UPS doesn't mean that they don't have decades of experience in ocean transport. Take advantage of the list provided from the Federal Maritime Commission, though, to make sure that they are approved and reputable.

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