What are sea cargo services?

In general, sea cargo refers to the movement of goods over oceans, seas, lakes, canals, and rivers using various types of ships, boats, floats, and other floating devices. Many commodities in the world are large in volume and weight. Moving such goods is difficult, if not impossible, by air or air-conditioned means. As a result, various modes of sea transportation are widely used.

However, in some cases, they are unable to use these methods due to a lack of free or appropriate water. Many countries export and import goods with high volume and weight through well-equipped and advanced ports.

What cargo is transported by sea?

Roll on/roll off, break bulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and container cargo are the most common types of cargo transported by sea.

  1. Container cargo

Computers, meat, clothing, televisions, and toys are all shipped in containers. Goods are typically shipped in containers with metal walls to protect them from extreme temperatures, moisture, and inclement weather. Containers can also be transported by train wagons, barges, and trucks.

  1. Liquid Bulk

Fuel oil, gasoline, and crude oil are examples of hazardous liquid bulk goods. They are transported to refineries and other facilities on large tankers.

Petroleum products are shipped by barge-towing trains and tankers, whereas chemical and food industry products are frequently transported by chemical tankers.

  1. Dry Bulk

Sand, salt, sugar, cement, iron ore, coal, and grain are all examples of dry bulk cargo. Dry bulk products are classified into two types: minor and major bulk products. Fertilizers, minerals, and cement are examples of the first category, while iron ore and coal are examples of the second.

  1. Break Bulk

Individual or break-bulk cargo refers to cargo that must be loaded individually and includes items such as art, household furniture, farm machinery, and vehicle parts. General cargo ships transport break bulk cargo, which is loaded into barrels, drums, crates, and boxes. Corrugated fiberboards that are weather-resistant and military in nature are also used to ship break bulk cargo.

  1. Roll-on/roll-off

Rolling stock in this category includes project cargo, heavy machinery, machines, and vehicles. Roll-on/roll-off cargo ports provide a variety of specialized services, including second-stage manufacturing, spraying, dewaxing, and washing, as well as repair and installation of air conditioning, hooks, bumps, and other components. Vehicle processing centers also perform pre-delivery inspections. Additional services include inventory management, fiscal representation, and cargo distribution and storage.

DEFINITION OF SEA CARGO

How does sea cargo work?

Ocean freight is typically handled as follows:

Step 1– A buyer and a seller, presumably from different countries, reach an agreement. They decide to conduct a trade transaction under an agreed-upon Incoterm, which determines how ownership and risk transfer will occur, as well as who is responsible for the shipping process and transportation costs. In an Ex Works (EXW) transaction, for example, the buyer or importer pays for the entire transportation cost, beginning at the supplier’s factory or warehouse.

Step 2- The goods are labeled and packed in accordance with shipping regulations.

Step 3- The next step is to book ocean freight, which requires the services of a freight forwarder because an exporter cannot do this themselves. Freight forwarders are in charge of booking a container for you based on what is best for your shipment.

Step 4- The goods must be transported from the supplier’s factory to the supplier’s country’s port (this can also be done with the help of a freight forwarder).

Step 5- Having your marine insurance in place is also critical (before the shipment procedure takes place).

Step 6- Depending on the volume and requirements of the trade transaction (the decision is made by the dealing parties or the freight forwarding agent), the goods are loaded into an FCL or LCL container and then loaded onto the vessel.

Step 7- After the goods are loaded onto the vessel, the ocean carrier issues a bill of lading. It is an important document in this entire process because it is a contract between the shipper and the carrier that contains all important transaction details and also serves as the title to the goods.

Step 8- After the goods are loaded onto the ship, the shipment is cleared through customs at the origin port.

Step 9- The products are then prepared for shipment.

Step 10- Once the goods arrive at the destination port, import customs clearance must be completed, as well as the payment of tariff duty on the imported goods (if duty is applicable).

Step 11- Finally, the goods must be transported from the port to the buyer’s location (which can again be done with the help of a freight forwarder).

What is the meaning of air cargo?

Air freight is also known as air cargo. It is the carriage or transportation of goods via an airline. When it comes to moving express shipments around the world, air transport services are the most valuable, and they include air mail, air freight, and air express.

Air cargo flies through the same airport as commercial or passenger airlines.

What cargo is transported by air?

When it comes to the various types of cargo transported by air, they are divided into two categories: general cargo and special cargo. Special Cargo is then subdivided into smaller, more specialized groups. We will look at these specialized sub-groups in greater detail later on.

General cargo refers to items that do not fall into the Special Cargo categories and do not necessitate any special precautions or handling during air transport. Retail and most consumer goods (with the exception of mobile phones, tablets, and laptops), dry goods, hardware, textiles, and other items fall into this category. Consider your typical, everyday objects; the vast majority of them would fall into the general cargo area.

Things get a little more complicated with special cargo. Special cargo are goods that, due to their nature, weight, dimensions, and/or value, may have special requirements such as packaging, labeling, documentation, and transportation chain handling.

Specific regulations govern the transportation of these goods, which must be followed when preparing, offering, accepting, and handling this cargo. Among the items are dangerous goods, live animals, perishable cargo, wet cargo, and time and temperature-sensitive products.

IATA has three Boards to ensure that there are globally harmonized standards that ensure the safety and convenience of these products: The Dangerous Goods Board (DGB), Time and Temperature Working Group (TTWG), and Live Animals and Perishables Board (LAPB) manage the standards and guidelines for the transportation of these products. Let’s break down this special cargo to learn more about it.

How does air cargo work?

The process is simple from pickup to delivery. Your logistics provider will work with a local carrier to arrange a pick-up at your warehouse or holding facility. After loading the freight, the carrier will tender the shipment to the airport, where it will be loaded onto a plane.