Short sea shipping

What is " short sea " shipping?

Short sea Shipping refers to commercial maritime transport along shorter maritime routes between regional ports. This mode of transport is used in European and regional maritime networks, where cargo is moved in containers, trailers, or other loading units between ports.

The term describes the mode of transportation, not necessarily the best solution for an individual company. For freight between Denmark and European destinations, Nordcarrier handles the shipment as road freight—using full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), or general cargo—rather than ocean freight.

• FTL is a full truckload, where you have an entire truck at your disposal for your cargo.
• Part load, also known as partial load or LTL, is shared truck capacity, where you pay for the space your cargo occupies.
• General cargo consists of individual packages or pallets that are consolidated with other cargo as part of a scheduled transport operation.
• FCL and LCL are used for intercontinental sea freight, where the cargo is transported in its own container or as a consolidated shipment in a container, respectively.

Short sea Shipping compared to road freight, air freight, and intercontinental ocean freight

The choice of mode of transportation depends on the destination, volume, urgency, and handling requirements. Ocean freight has a significantly longer transit time than air freight, while road freight is the appropriate solution for Nordcarrier’s shipments to European countries.

Nordcarrier We do not offer ocean freight to European countries. If you need to ship cargo to, for example, Germany, Poland, Sweden, France, Spain, Norway, or the Benelux countries, the shipment will be arranged as ground freight or air freight based on the requirements of the cargo and the delivery.

When is " short sea " shipping relevant for your business?

Short sea Shipping may be a viable option when a regional maritime connection fits into a company’s overall transportation setup. However, this requires that transshipment, port handling, document flow, and onward transport to the recipient be coordinated before the solution is selected.

For companies that export and import outside of Europe, it is often more relevant to consider FCL or LCL as part of an intercontinental ocean freight process. In these cases, Nordcarrier Air & Sea A/S coordinates ocean transport from pickup to delivery and consolidates documentation, customs clearance, and local handling into a single process.

FCL for larger quantities

FCL ( Full Container Load) means that your company has the entire container at its disposal. This solution provides a dedicated cargo unit and can be used for standard cargo, machinery, project cargo, and temperature-sensitive goods in reefer containers.

The container type is selected based on the cargo and loading method. A 20′ or 40′ dry container is suitable for many common types of cargo, while a High Cube container provides extra volume. Flat Rack, Open Top, and Platform containers are used when the dimensions or loading method require a different solution.

LCL for smaller shipments

LCL (Less than Container Load) refers to the consolidation of cargo from multiple shippers into a single container. You pay for the space your shipment occupies, and Nordcarrier coordinates the consolidation, export documentation, and customs clearance.

LCL is appropriate when the volume does not warrant a full container, but the shipment still needs to be transported by sea to an intercontinental destination. The specific solution depends on the cargo details, delivery address, and documentation requirements.

Are you unsure whether your shipment should be sent via ground freight, air freight, FCL, or LCL? Contact Nordcarrier for a detailed assessment of the route, capacity, and required documentation.

Nordcarrier 's Approach to Planning International Transportation

A reliable transportation plan starts with accurate information about the cargo, route, and terms of trade. As a freight forwarder, Nordcarrier coordinates the mode of transport, capacity, documentation, and customs matters, so you don’t have to manage separate parties at every stage.

1. Please provide the pickup location, delivery location, number of packages, dimensions, weight, type of goods, and desired service level.
2. Nordcarrier assesses whether road freight, air freight, FCL, or LCL is the appropriate solution for the specific destination.
3. Transportation is planned with the necessary capacity, including full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), general cargo, container, or air freight capacity.
4. Documents such as the CMR, Bill of Lading, “ Air Waybill ,” and customs documentation are reconciled with the shipment and the agreed-upon Incoterms 2020.
5. Nordcarrier coordinates the transportation process and is available through the operations center 24/7/365 when the task requires action outside normal business hours.

Documents and Customs Clearance for Ocean and Air Freight

Documentation is a key part of international freight forwarding because errors in trade data or customs documents can delay a shipment. Nordcarrier helps coordinate customs clearance and the documents required for the chosen mode of transport.

For air freight, Nordcarrier can handle all types of cargo, including dangerous goods in accordance with IATA-DGR, temperature-controlled shipments, and oversized cargo. For special air shipments, a Unit Load Device (ULD) may be included as part of the specific planning.

One logistics partner for road, air, and ocean freight

Nordcarrier brings together domestic distribution, international ground freight, air freight, and intercontinental ocean freight under one partner. This reduces the number of points of contact when your business has different routes, types of cargo, or delivery requirements.

• 150 daily round trips to and from Denmark's largest cities, including city centers and pedestrian zones.
• All Danish drivers hold forklift operator certifications, and Nordcarrier’s own vehicles meet Euro 6 standards.
• Over 300 certified, dedicated vehicles for international road transport and more than 400 vehicles in the combined fleet and dedicated vehicle network.
• Transportation to and from Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Baltic States, Germany, the Benelux countries, France, Spain, and Central and Eastern Europe.
• Global air and ocean freight via Nordcarrier Air & Sea A/S, Pangea Network, and other independent networks.

Nordcarrier is partner-owned, and sales and department managers are co-owners. In practice, this means that you’ll be speaking with a contact person who is familiar with the project and has the authority to make decisions.

Why choose Nordcarrier as your freight forwarder?

Nordcarrier is a Danish, partner-owned transportation and freight forwarding company with 20 years of experience. You’ll be assigned a dedicated contact person for your shipment and have access to specialized companies serving Denmark, Scandinavia, and continental Europe, as well as air and ocean freight.

• Direct accountability: Short decision-making chains between your company and the employees in charge.
• Extensive transportation capacity: Road freight, air freight, and intercontinental ocean freight, all from a single point of contact.
• Documented management systems: ISO 9001-certified quality management, ISO 14001-certified environmental management, and ISO 27001-certified information security.
• Digital collaboration: Online booking, APIs, and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) can be integrated with the company's own platforms.
• Operational Availability: A 24/7/365 operations center for transport assignments that cannot wait until the next business day.

Do you need a freight forwarder who can coordinate your European road shipments and global sea or air shipments? Send your inquiry to Nordcarrier, and we’ll evaluate the specific shipping solution.

Frequently Asked Questions About " short sea " Shipping

Get an assessment of the right transportation solution

Nordcarrier combines personal service, extensive transport capacity, and specialized freight forwarding across road, air, and sea. Contact Nordcarrier for a customized quote tailored to your cargo, destination, and documentation requirements—with a dedicated contact person and operations center available 24/7/365.