Ocean freight

Sea freight shipping – is a popular, simple, and reliable way of delivering cargo. DiFFreight offers its services for shipping goods by sea with 24/7 manager support and complete client information about the status of the shipment.

How Sea Container Shipping Works

Ocean freight requires well-coordinated actions from all parties: the sender, receiver, shipping line, port services, and customs. The process is standardized and includes the following stages:

1. Booking space on the vessel.
2. Preparing the cargo and documents. The supplier packs the goods into a container, which is then sealed. All required documents are prepared (e.g., bill of lading, invoice, packing list).
3. Delivery of the container to the port of departure. Some cargo types are loaded directly at the terminal or dock.
4. Port forwarding. A freight forwarder handles paperwork with port authorities and customs. Export customs clearance is usually done without breaking the seal.
5. Loading onto the vessel.
6. Ocean freight to the destination port.
7. Customs clearance at the destination port (if this is the final delivery country). For transit cargo, the procedure is simplified.
8. Delivery to the recipient’s warehouse. Two options: the container is delivered by truck to the warehouse, or the cargo is unloaded and sorted (in case of consolidated shipments), then delivered in parts.
9. Return of the empty container to the port.

Sea container transportation is a complex process requiring expertise from shipping lines, port services, and carriers.

Sea Freight Cost from DiFFreight

Ocean freight is the most cost-effective option available. DiFFreight offers the following rates:

From Ukraine:

• To the USA — from $400/m³
• To Canada — from $450/m³

From China:

• To Ukraine — from $235/m³
• To the USA — from $180/m³
• To Europe — from $90/m³

DiFFreight's international logistics experts will consult you and provide an accurate price based on your cargo type, volume, and weight.

Types and Features of Sea Transportation

Cargo transportations by sea is categorized into two types based on storage and transportation conditions:

• standard: they do not require special transportation conditions, the transportation occurs under standard humidity and temperature parameters;
• specific: they require special conditions for transportation, placement, and storage, specific temperature regimes, the presence or absence of ventilation, and cooling are necessary.

Specific cargoes are further classified into live, perishable, unsanitary, long and oversized, and hazardous. Additional documents are required for their shipment. 

Depending on the type of cargo, different maritime transport vessels are used, including container ships for goods, roll-on/roll-off ships for automobiles and wheeled equipment, bulk carriers for bulk cargo, tankers for petroleum products, and many others.

There are several forms of sea freight transportation:

• bulk cargo: it is coal, fertilizers, sand, grain, and many other items transported in bulk without strict itemization;
• ro-ro shipping: transportation of wheeled cargo, such as automobiles and specialized machinery;
• container shipping: most goods are transported in containers, which are divided into two categories – FCL1 with a fully loaded container from a single shipper, and FTL2 which is consolidated containers used to send small batches of goods from different clients.

The main features of sea freight transportation are movement between established ports, regularity of sailings, and strict adherence to schedules.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Sea Freight Delivery

Main advantages of international sea freight delivery:

• Cost. Shipping costs by sea are significantly lower than sending goods by air or road. The cost price is lower, and demand for the product increases.
• Safety. The risk of damage or loss of goods is much lower compared to road or rail transportation.
• Versatility. Almost any type of cargo can be transported – bulk, liquid, hazardous, toxic, oversized. The delivery of perishable goods is prohibited.
• Load capacity. Cargo ships can handle loads of about 25,000 tons, allowing for the transport of heavy machinery and other large items.

Disadvantages of sea freight delivery:

• Speed and limited routes. Delivery is carried out only from port to port. Timing depends on the route. For example, goods from the port of Shenzhen in China reach Ukraine in an average of 60 days. From the USA to Ukraine, the cargo arrives in 20-45 days.
• Inability to deliver door-to-door. For this, it is necessary to use road, rail transport, or airplanes.   

International Sea Transportation by DiFFreight Company

DiFFreight has been engaged in sea transportation since 2020. We select the optimal delivery option, prepare all necessary documents, oversee shipments, and deliver cargo to the warehouse. A manager remains in contact with you throughout the entire transportation process.

Order Sea Container Shipping from DiFFreight – Entrust Your Cargo to Professionals

Our company provides sea transportation to Europe, the USA, China, and Canada in various directions. The container shipping by sea organized by our specialists ensures strict adherence to delivery deadlines and guarantees cargo safety.

At DiFFreight, sea delivery of goods from China is possible with the consolidation of shipments from multiple customers, which allows for significant reduction in transportation costs. We care about our clients' comfort, which is why we offer the most advantageous delivery schemes.

Our company organizes turnkey sea transportation to the USA, China, and other destinations, from document preparation to cargo escort.