International sea freight services play a key role in import and export activities, helping businesses connect to global markets, expand trade opportunities, and improve the flow of goods. This not only boosts production speed but also enhances competitiveness and provides sustainable growth for businesses.

What is international sea freight service?

International sea freight service is a transportation solution that uses marine vessels and infrastructure to connect ports around the world. This mode of transport is ideal for large shipments, flexible delivery schedules, and optimized costs.

In the context of globalization, sea freight plays a vital role in ensuring the cross-border flow of goods. Not only is it an integral link in the supply chain, but it also drives international trade, helping businesses expand their markets, reduce costs, and increase competitiveness.

Pros and cons of international sea freight services

With the ability to transport large volumes of goods across continents, sea freight is often the preferred choice for many businesses. However, like any transportation method, it has its own advantages and disadvantages that affect business decisions.

Pros

• Lower shipping costs for large shipments compared to road and air freight, with no hidden fees, making it easier for businesses to forecast their budgets.
• The ability to transport a wide range of goods, especially large or bulky items.
• A broad network of sea routes connecting major ports worldwide, from Asia and Europe to America, providing flexibility in creating suitable transportation routes for businesses.
• High safety for goods through secure container storage, minimizing risks of damage or loss due to external environmental factors.

Cons

• Compared to air freight, sea freight takes longer. Therefore, it is not suitable for urgent shipments or perishable goods.
• The slower delivery time makes it less ideal for quick shipping or time-sensitive cargo.
• Sea freight is susceptible to unpredictable weather conditions, which may disrupt transportation processes.
• It is often combined with other modes of transport, such as road or rail, to reach the final destination.

Types of international sea freight services

International sea freight is divided into several types to meet the diverse transportation needs of businesses. Depending on the shipment volume, transportation characteristics, and budget, businesses can choose between Full Container Load (FCL) or Less Than Container Load (LCL).

Full container load (FCL)

Full Container Load (FCL) refers to a service where a business rents an entire container for transporting its goods. This ensures that the entire container space is used solely for one customer’s goods.

The main advantage of FCL is high security. Since the container is not shared with other customers, businesses can control the safety and quality of their goods during the entire transportation process. Additionally, the handling time is faster compared to LCL because there’s no need to wait for other shipments to fill the container.

Less than container load (LCL)

Less than Container Load (LCL) refers to a service where goods from multiple customers are consolidated into one container. This option is ideal for businesses with smaller shipments that do not require a full container.

The main advantage of LCL is cost efficiency. Customers only pay for the space their goods occupy in the container, which helps reduce the financial burden for businesses with small volumes of goods.

Goods transported by sea freight

With its high flexibility and capacity, international sea freight service can handle a wide variety of goods, including:

• Heavy industrial goods: Machinery, construction equipment, or industrial materials with large dimensions and high weight.
• Agricultural products and food: Rice, coffee, pepper, cashews, and other dry agricultural products.
• Oversized cargo: Renewable energy equipment like wind turbine blades, industrial boilers.
• Consumer goods: Clothing, shoes, toys, and standard packaged products.
• Household goods: Electronics, kitchen tools, cleaning products, and other daily-use items.
• Furniture: Tables, chairs, beds, cabinets, shelves, decorations, and other furniture items.

Transit time for international sea freight

Although sea freight takes longer than air freight, it is more cost-effective and efficient for goods that do not require rapid delivery. Below are some estimated transit times for routes from Vietnam to various countries:

Process of international sea freight

To ensure goods are shipped safely, on time, and in compliance with legal requirements, the international sea freight process requires close coordination among all parties involved. It’s not just about booking and customs declaration; the process also requires meticulous document preparation and careful planning to avoid errors or delays.

• Step 1 – Customer consultation: Customers provide information about the goods, weight, and volume. The consultant will recommend suitable container types and ship schedules.
• Step 2 – Information verification: The freight forwarder checks the price and ship schedule, then advises the customer and sends necessary details to the shipping line, such as ports of departure and destination, weight, schedule, and container requirements.
• Step 3 – Booking: Once the customer agrees, the shipping company confirms the booking with the shipping line and sends the details to the customer. Exporters must carefully verify the information on the booking.
• Step 4 – Reminder for cargo loading: Before the container loading time, the shipping company will remind the customer to pack the goods on time.
• Step 5 – Customs documentation preparation: The business prepares customs declarations, sales contracts, business licenses (if it’s the first export), and authorization letters.
• Step 6 – Customs declaration: The shipping company submits the customs declaration electronically and receives the declaration number.
• Step 7 – Bill of lading issuance: The forwarder or shipping line issues the bill of lading to the exporter.
• Step 8 – Document submission to partner: The required documents such as invoices, packing lists, and bills are sent to foreign partners.
• Step 9 – Payment documentation: The documentation department prepares the payment documents and sends them to the accounting department for monitoring.

International sea freight service at VELA

VELA is one of the leading and reputable international sea freight service providers in Vietnam, accompanying businesses in their journey to conquer global markets. With many years of experience in logistics, VELA is committed to delivering optimal transportation solutions, meeting the demanding needs of customers.

One of VELA’s strengths is its ability to optimize costs and transportation times. Businesses can receive quick quotes, easily access, and arrange shipments thanks to the online transportation calculation system. This not only provides businesses with a transparent view of costs but also saves time in managing orders.

Moreover, VELA offers an easy-to-use order tracking tool, with detailed information about shipping times, helping businesses stay proactive and monitor progress anytime, anywhere. Our risk measurement and forecasting tools also help anticipate factors that could impact the transportation process, reducing unexpected costs and ensuring smooth deliveries.

By using VELA’s international sea freight service, businesses gain access to professional and reliable transportation solutions, along with a dedicated strategic partner committed to optimizing operating costs and shipping times.