Sea Freight
SEA FREIGHT SERVICES
Sea freight, also known as ocean freight, is the transportation of goods through cargo ships across international shipping routes. It is one of the most economical and efficient logistics solutions for moving large volumes of cargo over long distances. Compared to air freight, sea freight is a cost-effective option for businesses involved in global import and export operations.
At Speed Scope, our sea freight services support smooth international trade by providing secure, reliable, and flexible cargo transportation solutions worldwide. We manage shipments efficiently while ensuring timely delivery and professional cargo handling throughout the shipping process.
Sea freight transportation commonly uses standardized shipping containers such as 20-foot and 40-foot containers for safe and organized cargo movement. Container shipping improves cargo security, simplifies loading and unloading, and enables smooth multimodal transportation through ships, trucks, and rail networks.
TYPES OF Sea FREIGHT SHIPMENTS
CALCULATE SEA FREIGHT SHIPPING COST
Sea freight rates are determined by several important factors that directly affect the overall shipping cost. These include fuel prices, vessel capacity, global demand, seasonal fluctuations, and international trade or geopolitical conditions. All of these elements play a key role in shaping ocean freight pricing in the global market.
Because of these variations, sea freight rates are not fixed and can change frequently, which may impact a company’s overall supply chain expenses. At Speed Scope, we help clients manage these fluctuations by offering competitive and transparent pricing solutions.
Freight rates are usually negotiated between shippers, carriers, and freight forwarding companies to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective shipping arrangements based on cargo type and delivery requirements.
TYPES OF CARGO FREIGHT
Most Common Types of Sea Containers
The type of container used will vary from shipment to shipment depending on the cargo. Depending on your shipment, there are different kinds of ocean shipping containers:
STANDARD CONTAINER
Standard containers are sealed compartments with a solid roof, floor, and walls. There is an entrance door on one of its end walls. Available sizes (length x width x height). There are three sizes of standard containers:
- 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)
The use of the container: The most common shipping choice for dry cargoes packaged in boxes, bags, bales, pallets, etc. is standard containers. It is wise to ship cargo in a 20′ container that is fully loaded because both 20′ and 40′ containers can carry the same amount of weight. For taller products, the 40′ high cube container is typically used
HARDTOP CONTAINER
To make packing easier, hardtop containers are made with detachable steel roofs. Cranes can load goods into containers more easily. The end wall has a swing-out door that allows access to the container. Available sizes (length x width x height). There are three sizes of Hardtop containers:
- 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)
The use of the container: Heavy loads are best transported in hardtop containers. They can even transport objects that are higher, particularly the 40′ and 40′ high cube options. Hardtop containers can have their roofs completely open and lashed to the interior walls when carrying very tall cargo (this only takes up about 5 ⅛” of space).
FLAT RACK CONTAINER
Flat racks containers are a steel frame, with no sidewalls and the end walls are not fixed. There are three sizes of Hardtop containers:
- 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)
The use of the container: They are generally used to transport heavy and over-sized cargo. It can be stacked on top of each other, allowing for the transport of lots of large products.
PLATFORM CONTAINER
A platform container is a floor structure without any side or end walls. There are three sizes of Hardtop containers:
- 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
The use of the container: Platform containers are built to carry extremely heavy and oversized loads.
OPEN TOP CONTAINER
General/standard containers without a hard roof are what are known as “open top containers”. Instead, they include a mobile or completely removable flexible tarpaulin roof. Additionally, the tarpaulin is supported by bows that can move or be removed. It is possible to swing out the door header on the end wall(s). Available sizes (length x width x height):
- 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)
The use of the container: Due to the ability of the tarpaulin to be lifted to provide crane access to the top of the container, open top containers are ideal for shipping over-height cargo. Some over-height objects, however, can be better suited for flat racks because roof bows can help sustain the container. For hefty or large luggage, open tops are another excellent choice.
REEFER CONTAINER
Reefers, which stand for “refrigerated container,” are thermally insulated containers with compressors to heat or cool the packaged cargo inside. Polyurethane foam, also referred to as “sandwich construction,” is frequently used in reefer walls to provide effective insulation. Additionally, many reefer containers have movable ventilation, which improves internal airflow. Available sizes (length x width x height):
- 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)
The use of the container: Reefers were made specifically to transport perishable goods like produce and other items that are sensitive to temperature. Reefer containers should be used to transport cargo whose temperature must remain constant and either be above or below zero.
INSULATED CONTAINER
The reefer container is comparable to an insulated container. It has Polyurethane foam on its walls to increase insulation, but for temperature control, it uses the vessel’s cooling system or “clip-on” unit. Available sizes (length x width x height):
- 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
- 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
The use of the container: For cargo that must maintain constant temperatures at or below freezing, this container is advised. All you should require to start shipping goods is one of these seven types of ocean shipping containers. All of these container options are available to you from carriers all over the world, albeit with slight variations in size and weight capacity. You can ship internationally once you consult with your carrier about which container will work best for your cargo needs.
Get OFS's customized Sea Freight Services
As global trade expands and diversifies, sea freight services in the UAE become instrumental in shaping business success. At OFS, we invite you to join us in harnessing the potential of these services to unlock new horizons of growth and opportunity.
