Sea Freight: Nuances, Pros and Cons, When to Utilize

Despite air and road transport being increasingly popular, the majority of goods still travel by sea freight. Minerals, manufactured products, and machinery trade all depend on shipping routes that connect producers to consumers across continents.

Ports like Durban, Beira, and Walvis Bay are important gateways, linking inland economies to global markets. Whether exporting copper or importing vehicles, sea freight is the backbone of cross-border logistics.

In this article, we’ll explore what sea freight is, how it works, its main advantages and disadvantages, and when it makes the most sense to choose it for your supply chain.

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What Is Sea Freight (Ocean Freight)?

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Sea freight, or ocean freight, is the process of transporting goods by ship across international water. Cargo travels on specialized vessels capable of carrying thousands of containers or large bulk shipments over long distances. Sea freight is one of the most cost-efficient ways to move high-volume freight globally.

Approximately 80–90% of global merchandise by volume moves by sea, providing a reliable and scalable transport option for businesses in almost every industry. Modern sea freight logistics now also ulilizes tracking systems to allow shippers to monitor container locations and shipment progress in real time.

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Types of Sea Freight

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There are a few different types of sea freight. Choosing the right one depends on the size, weight, and nature of your goods. Some of the most popular types include:

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Full Container Load (FCL): This is when a shipment fills an entire container on its own and doesn’t need to be shared. This option offers better security, predictable schedules, and cost efficiency for large volumes or high-value goods.

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Less than Container Load (LCL): If a shipment doesn’t require a full container, multiple shipments can be consolidated into one to share a container. LCL is cost-effective for smaller loads, though transit times can be longer due to extra handling at consolidation depots.

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Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO): RORO shipping allows cargo to be driven directly on and off the vessel, making it ideal for shipments like vehicles and heavy machinery. This type of sea freight minimizes lifting and handling risks.

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Dry Bulk Shipping: For commodities like grain or coal dry bulk carriers transport unpackaged goods in massive quantities, often directly from port silos or terminals.

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When to Choose Sea Freight

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Sea freight is the ideal choice when:

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• Cargo is large or heavy. It’s suited for bulk shipments, construction materials, or equipment.

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• Time is flexible. If delivery schedules allow for longer transit, the cost savings can be substantial.

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• Environmental impact matters. Companies aiming to lower their carbon footprint often choose sea freight over air transport.

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• Trade is intercontinental. For example, for Africa’s trade corridors with Asia, Europe, and the Americas, sea freight is often the most practical option.

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How Sea Freight Services Work

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Sea freight involves several coordinated steps between carriers, freight forwarders, and port operators. Understanding each phase helps importers and exporters manage costs and schedules effectively. These steps include the following:

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1. Booking, Route Planning, and Documentation: The process starts with an experienced freight forwarder, such as Reload Logistics. They book vessel space and plan the most efficient route based on timing, cost, and cargo requirements. Key documents like the bill of lading, commercial invoice, and the packing list are also prepared during this phase.

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2. Inland Transport: Cargo is moved from the manufacturer or warehouse to the port of origin using multimodal transport methods by road or rail.

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3. Customs Clearance and Port Handling: Before departure, goods need to be cleared for export, and customs authorities verify shipment details and the documentation prepared in the previous step. This happens at the port where containers are weighed, inspected, and loaded onto the vessel according to the shipping schedule.

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4. Ocean Transit: Ships follow fixed routes across international waters. Transit times vary from days to several weeks, depending on distance, vessel type, and global port congestion.

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5. Destination Handling and Import Clearance: Once arrived at the port, containers are unloaded, inspected, and cleared through customs, ensuring compliance with the destination country’s import regulations. Reload Logistics team coordinate with local agents and port authorities to streamline this process and prevent demurrage fees.

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6. Arrival and Final Delivery: Once at the destination port, containers are unloaded and delivered to the end location which might be a consignee, distribution center, or client facility via inland transport. This completes the supply chain journey.

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Benefits of Sea Freight

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Sea freight offers several advantages that make it a cornerstone of international logistics.

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• Cost-Effectiveness: When moving large or heavy goods, sea freight is considerably cheaper than air freight. Businesses can transport high volumes at a lower cost per tone, making it ideal for bulk or industrial shipments, and shipments that aren’t reliant on fast deliveries.

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• Ideal for Large Shipments: Ships can handle goods of all sizes and weights, from small pallets to oversized project cargo  like turbines or mining equipment. Specialized vessels and cranes ensure safe handling of heavy loads.

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• Environmental Efficiency: Compared to other transport modes, ships typically produce fewer emissions, making sea freight one of the more sustainable methods of long-distance cargo movement.

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• Versatility: From containers and vehicles to bulk commodities, sea freight supports nearly every type of cargo including container, bulk, specialized, and project cargo.

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Disadvantages of Sea Freight

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Although sea freight remains one of the most cost-effective methods of global transport, it comes with certain drawbacks. Understanding these challenges ahead of time allows companies to build more resilient supply chains and manage expectations. Some of these disadvantages include:

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• Longer Transit Times: Ocean transport can take several weeks, depending on route and distance. Businesses shipping time-sensitive goods may opt to use air freight instead for its faster timelines.

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• Limitations for Smaller Shipments: Smaller cargo is usually shipped as Less than Container Load (LCL). This adds complexity as goods may need to be consolidated or deconsolidated at different terminals, increasing both time and handling costs.

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• Weather-Related Delays: Storms, rough seas, or port congestion can cause schedule disruptions. Partnering with experienced logistics providers helps minimize the impact of such delays as they will monitor potential disruptions and then reroute shipments, adjust timing so handling is not missed, and communicate updates to clients.

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• Handling Risks: Improper loading or shifting cargo can lead to damage. Using trusted carriers and verified packaging standards significantly reduces the risk of cargo damage.

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Factors Influencing Ocean Freight Rates

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Ocean freight rates are influenced by a combination of market dynamics, cargo characteristics, and operational expenses. Having visibility into these factors allows importers and exporters to forecast budgets and negotiate better terms with carriers.

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- Freight rates are calculated using either the cargo’s weight or volume, whichever is higher. Larger, lighter shipments may be charged by volume rather than mass.

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- Fuel is one of the largest operating expenses for shipping lines. When oil prices rise, carriers often introduce surcharges to offset higher costs, and vice versa when prices drop. Monitoring market trends helps shippers plan more accurately.

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- During global peak seasons , limited container availability can drive up rates. Booking early helps secure capacity and avoid price spikes.

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Understanding Tariffs and Fees

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Tariffs are essentially a type of tax set by governments to protect domestic industries or raise revenue. These imposed tariffs and taxes greatly affect global shipping, for example, machinery imported into South Africa may attract a 10% tariff, while goods imported under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can qualify for reduced or zero tariffs.

Understanding how these tariffs apply to your goods helps businesses anticipate total shipping costs and identify potential cost-saving opportunities under trade agreements. There’s more information about tariffs, taxes, and duties in our dedicated article.

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Additional Costs in Ocean Freight

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Beyond the base rate, shippers should factor in a range of additional fees that contribute to the total shipping cost. These may include:

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• Port Handling Charges (THC): Costs for loading and unloading containers at terminals.

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• Documentation Fees: Charged for preparing bills of lading and other shipping paperwork.

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• Demurrage and Detention: Fees applied when containers stay too long at the port or with the consignee.

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• Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF): Surcharge linked to fluctuating fuel prices.

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• Security and Compliance Costs: Charges for inspections, insurance, or regulatory checks.

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These additional costs can vary between routes and carriers, making it essential to work with a freight forwarder who provides clear visibility into total landed costs.

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Common Terms in Ocean Freight

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Understanding ocean freight terminology helps businesses communicate clearly with carriers and freight forwarders.

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Bill of Lading (B/L)

One of the most important documents in sea freight is the bill of lading (B/L) which serves as a contract, receipt, and proof of ownership for the shipped goods.

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Incoterms

International Commercial Terms define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in global trade, including who pays for shipping, insurance, and customs clearance.

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Demurrage and Detention

Demurrage fees apply when containers remain at the port beyond the free time allowed. Detention fees occur when containers are kept too long after delivery.

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Freight Forwarder

A logistics provider that arranges cargo movement between shippers and carriers. Reload Logistics acts as a single point of contact, managing bookings, compliance, and coordination across multiple transport modes.

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The Road Ahead

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Sea freight continues to anchor international trade, and its importance will only grow as global supply chains expand. For African businesses, reliable maritime logistics is key to reaching international markets and maintaining competitiveness.

Reload Logistics combines regional insight with a global carrier network to move goods efficiently across oceans and inland corridors. From port handling and vessel booking to multimodal transport, Reload ensures every shipment reaches its destination reliably and on time.

Speak to Reload Logistics to discuss how we can support your shipping needs.

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FAQs

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1. What is sea freight in logistics?

Sea freight is the transportation of goods by ship across international waters.

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2. How long does sea freight take?

Transit times vary by route, typically between 2 and 6 weeks for intercontinental shipments.

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3. What are the main advantages of sea freight?

It’s cost-effective, suitable for large shipments, environmentally efficient, and globally accessible.

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4. What documents are needed for ocean freight?

Common documents include the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and customs declarations.

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5. When should I use sea freight instead of air freight?

Choose sea freight for large, heavy, or non-urgent shipments where cost savings outweigh speed.