When is sea freight the right choice?
Sea freight is the solution when you need to transport large quantities of cargo over long distances and have flexible delivery times. Compared to air freight, sea freight is significantly cheaper—especially for heavy or bulky cargo. However, transit times are longer for sea freight than for air freight, for example.
If the timeframe is acceptable, ocean freight is almost always the most cost-effective form of international transport. We can help you determine whether ocean freight is suitable for your cargo and your deadlines—contact us for a specific answer.
FCL and LCL – two ways to ship by sea
We offer two basic ocean freight services. Which one is best for you depends on how much cargo you’re shipping.
FCL – Full Container Load
You have exclusive use of the container. The cargo is loaded directly at your location and delivered to the recipient without any stopovers at other ports along the way. Shorter transit times, simple handling, and no risk of damage from mixed cargo.
FCL is the right solution if:
- Your shipment is 15 cubic meters or larger
- You are shipping heavy or bulky goods
- You require an exclusive container space due to the nature of the cargo
- You want to minimize the number of handling steps along the way
LCL – Less than Container Load (general cargo)
Your cargo is consolidated with other shippers’ cargo into a single container—you only pay for the space you use. Weekly departures on all major trade routes. Flexible and cost-effective for smaller, regular shipments.
LCL is the right solution if:
- Your shipment is less than approximately 15 m³
- You have regular, small shipments to the same destinations
- You want to test a new trade route without committing significant capacity
- Flexibility is more important than exclusive container space
Not sure? We'll work it out with you and recommend the solution that makes the most sense for your cargo and your budget.
Destinations: ocean freight to and from all over the world
Through the Pangea Network and other independent networks, we have agents and regular partners at all major ports around the world. This gives us local expertise at both the port of departure and the port of destination—not blind agreements with unknown subcontractors.
We handle ocean freight to and from:
- Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Bangladesh
- North and South America: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile
- Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait
- Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco
- Europe: Point-to-point and cross-trade via Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Felixstowe, and other major ports
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Is your shipment headed to a destination not listed here? Contact us—we’ll find a solution through our network.
From inquiry to delivery – how the sea freight process works
Ocean freight can seem complicated. At Nordcarrier , we Nordcarrier the entire process from start to finish, so you don’t have to coordinate with shipping lines, agents, and customs authorities yourself.
1. Inquiry and Quote
You tell us about the shipment, the destination, and your requirements. We’ll get quotes from our network and send you a detailed proposal.
2. Booking and Planning
We book space with the relevant shipping line and coordinate pickup at the shipper's location.
3. Documentation
We prepare and handle all shipping documents: bills of lading, packing lists, certificates, and customs documentation.
4. Transportation and Tracking
The shipment is being transported. You can track it as it moves.
5. Arrival and Clearance
Our agent at the port of destination coordinates customs clearance and delivery to the final recipient.
Types of containers for ocean freight
We can arrange shipping for all standard container types. Our ocean freight team will help you choose the right solution for your cargo.
- Dry container (20' and 40') – standard container for dry, non-temperature-sensitive cargo
- High Cube (40′ HQ) – 30 cm of extra height for bulky cargo
- Reefer – temperature-controlled container for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals
- Flat Rack – for oversized cargo that does not fit in a closed container
- Open Top – for cargo that needs to be loaded from above, such as machinery and construction materials
- Platform – for extra-large or heavy individual shipments
Not sure which type of container is right for your cargo? Contact us—our sea freight specialists are here to help.
Customs clearance and documentation for ocean freight
International sea freight requires the proper documentation: export licenses, import documents, customs declarations, and agreements on delivery terms (Incoterms) must all be in order before the cargo is loaded.
Nordcarrier customs clearance and compliance documentation as an integral part of our service. You don’t have to keep track of the paperwork or coordinate with customs authorities on your own.
We handle, among other things:
- Export and Import Documentation
- Customs clearance at origin and destination
- Consolidation of cargo from shippers across Europe
- Advice on Incoterms 2020
- Customs warehouse
Sea freight with Nordcarrier & Sea
Nordcarrier & Sea A/S is Nordcarrier specialized unit for airand sea freight. We are a Danish, partner-owned company and have been handling international freight since 2006.
As a member of the Pangea Network and other independent networks, we have access to a global network of specialized air and ocean freight forwarders at all major ports and airports around the world. This gives us local expertise and established partnerships at the destination—whether the cargo is headed to China, the United States, or South Africa.
- Pangea Network member – a global network of specialists in air and ocean freight serving all major ports and airports
- ISO 9001 – Certified Quality Management
- ISO 14001 – Certified Environmental Management
- ISO 27001 – Certified Information Security
- 20 years of experience – professional transportation and freight forwarding since 2006
- Partner-owned – quick decision-making. You speak directly with the co-owners, not with a call center
- 24/7/365 operations center – always available, no matter the time
