Send the lane and cargo
Origin, destination, commodity, volume, Incoterm and the timing you are working to.
Ocean Freight
Ocean freight, coordinated around your cargo.
FCL, LCL and consolidation across global trade lanes, compared on sailing schedule, transshipment risk, documents and landed cost, then coordinated by one accountable team.
Overview
Ocean freight is a chain, not a single leg.
Every ocean shipment moves through export handling, a sailing schedule, arrival documents, customs and inland delivery. The cost and the delays hide in the handoffs.
What ocean freight actually involves
It is rarely just a container on a ship. A shipment passes through origin handling, a schedule with transshipment points, bills of lading, customs, drayage and final delivery.
Read the full guide
FCL vs LCL: match the mode to the cargo
A full container rewards volume. Consolidated freight shares space and rewards smaller, frequent shipments. The right call depends on volume, timing, handling risk and landed cost.
FCL vs LCL, comparedWhat ocean freight costs
The ocean rate is only part of landed cost. Origin charges, freight, destination fees, duties, drayage and demurrage all stack up, so the quote needs to show the full arrival picture.
Ocean freight charges explained
Ocean Options
Pick the ocean mode that fits the shipment.
FCL Shipping Full-container loads with carrier-neutral routing and priority space on the lanes you actually use. Explore FCL 
LCL Consolidation Consolidated ocean freight for smaller or frequent shipments, without paying for space you do not need. Explore LCL 
Project & Oversized Breakbulk, RoRo and out-of-gauge cargo planned around port handling and inland limits. Explore project cargo Why Suaid
An independent team on your side of the shipment.
Carrier-neutral routing
Options are compared on fit, cost and risk instead of a carrier's owned capacity.
One accountable owner
A single coordinator keeps the shipment moving across parties and time zones.
Documents reviewed early
Commercial documents, HS codes and handoff details are checked before they delay the move.
End-to-end visibility
Origin, port, transshipment, arrival and drayage stay in one operating thread.
Global agent network
Vetted local partners handle origin and destination steps with the same operating standard.
Landed-cost clarity
All-in quotes show freight, fees, duties and drayage before the box moves.
How It Works
From lane to delivery in four steps.
We shape the options
Sailing schedules, transshipment points, inland legs and clearance exposure are weighed together.
You approve the plan
One all-in proposal with the trade-offs shown before anything is booked.
We coordinate the handoffs
Booking, documents, clearance, drayage and delivery stay in one operating thread.
FAQ
Ocean freight, answered plainly.
Still deciding between modes or unsure about documents? Send the lane and we will walk you through it.
FCL books a full container for your cargo alone. LCL shares one container with other shippers and is priced by volume. We compare both on landed cost and transit before you commit.
Transit depends on the lane and any transshipment. Asia to the US West Coast can be roughly 15 to 20 days port to port, with inland and clearance on top.
Yes. Customs brokerage is coordinated in the same thread as the freight, so documents and HS codes are reviewed before arrival.
We quote origin charges, ocean freight, destination fees and drayage together so a low headline rate does not hide an expensive arrival.
Yes. Breakbulk, RoRo and out-of-gauge cargo are planned around port handling equipment and inland limits.
Proof In Numbers
Operational results, not marketing rounding.
Global
Partner network
One operating thread across borders
FCL/LCL
Modes compared
Matched to volume, risk and timing
300+
Port reach
Major trade lanes and feeder networks
Comparison
FCL vs LCL: Quick Comparison
Choosing between Full Container Load and Less Than Container Load depends on your cargo volume, budget, and timeline.
| Factor | FCL | LCL |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Shipments over 10-15 CBM | Shipments under 10-15 CBM |
| Cost structure | Per container (fixed) | Per CBM or per ton (variable) |
| Transit time | 15-35 days (direct) | 20-45 days (+5-10 consol.) |
| Cargo handling | Sealed origin to destination | Multiple handling at CFS warehouses |
| Damage risk | Lower (exclusive container) | Higher (shared space) |
| Container sizes | 20', 40', 40'HC, Open Top, Flat Rack | N/A — shared container space |
| Flexibility | Ship anytime, more departures | Fixed consolidation schedules |
| Ideal for | Regular importers, high volume | New importers, samples, small orders |
Transit Times
Ocean Freight Transit Time Estimates
Approximate port-to-port transit times for major trade lanes. Actual times vary by carrier and routing.
| Route | Port-to-Port | Door-to-Door Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai → Los Angeles | 12-15 days | 18-22 days |
| Shanghai → New York | 25-30 days | 32-38 days |
| Shenzhen → Miami | 22-28 days | 28-35 days |
| Santos (Brazil) → Miami | 12-16 days | 18-24 days |
| Hamburg → New York | 10-14 days | 16-20 days |
| Mumbai → Los Angeles | 22-28 days | 28-35 days |
| Ho Chi Minh → Long Beach | 16-20 days | 22-28 days |
| Busan → Los Angeles | 11-14 days | 17-21 days |
Glossary
Ocean Freight Surcharges, in Plain Language
Ocean quotes carry a set of acronyms that repeat across carriers. These are the ones that show up most often on an invoice.
| Code | Full name | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| BAF | Bunker adjustment factor | Fuel price movement between quote and sailing |
| CAF | Currency adjustment factor | Exchange rate movement on the lane |
| THC | Terminal handling charge | Moving the box between quay and yard |
| GRI | General rate increase | A carrier-wide rate rise announced for a date |
| PSS | Peak season surcharge | Demand peaks, typically before major holidays |
| ISPS | Port security charge | Mandatory port and vessel security measures |
| Doc fee | Documentation fee | Issuing and processing the bill of lading |
Schedule
Why Ocean Transit Times Move, and How to Plan Around Them
A quoted transit is a plan, not a promise. Knowing what moves it lets you build a buffer that is realistic instead of generous.
- Port congestion — A berth queue adds days before the box is even discharged. It builds up fast and clears slowly.
- Transhipment — Every transfer adds a connection risk. A direct service costs more and holds its schedule better.
- Blank sailings — Carriers cancel departures when demand drops. Your booking rolls to the next vessel, often a week later.
- Rolled cargo — Overbooked vessels leave containers behind. Booking earlier and confirming the load list reduces the risk.
- Routing changes — When a canal or strait is avoided, the voyage gets longer for everyone on the lane.
- Inland legs — Rail and truck connections at both ends are where planned days most often become extra days.
Glossary
Ocean Documents in One Place
Four documents carry the whole ocean shipment. Everything else supports them.
- Master bill of lading — Issued by the carrier to the forwarder. It governs the ocean leg itself.
- House bill of lading — Issued by the forwarder to you. This is the document you usually hold.
- Arrival notice — Tells you the vessel has arrived and what must be paid before release.
- Delivery order — The instruction that lets the terminal hand the container to your trucker.
Active Lanes
Popular lanes for Ocean Freight
Industries Served
Industries we serve
Sectors that rely on this product the most.
Free Tools
Free Logistics Tools
Freight Rate Calculator
Estimate ocean (FCL/LCL), air freight, and express shipping costs by route, weight, and volume. Compare all modes side-by-side.
CBM Calculator
Calculate cubic meters from package dimensions. Multi-package support, container recommendations, and chargeable weight for air and ocean.
LCL Rate Calculator
Estimate LCL shipping costs by route, volume, and cargo type. Includes W/M ratio analysis and all-in cost breakdown.
LCL vs FCL Calculator
Compare indicative LCL and FCL planning costs by route, volume, weight, and shipping frequency. Request a formal quote and verify the fee scope before choosing.
Transit Time Calculator
Estimate door-to-door shipping times for any route. Compare ocean, air, and express with detailed timeline breakdowns.
Explore All Services
Services rarely travel alone.
Browse the full catalog by family. Every line connects to the same operating thread and the same accountable coordinator.
Moving the freight itself: ocean, air and inland legs matched to cargo, timing and landed cost.
Storage, equipment and clearance kept in the same operating thread as the move.
Route strategy, cost modelling and protection before the booking is placed.
Related insights
Guides written by the operating team, the same people who quote and move the freight.
Get In Touch
Anything you need, we're here to help.
Talk to a real freight coordinator. Pick the channel that fits how fast you need an answer.