When transporting commodities through oceanic routes, there are several factors to consider to ensure a successful freight. Many variables must be considered when choosing a freight forwarder for ocean cargo. Transporters should fully understand these factors and rates before hiring a shipping company.
Without a full understanding of ocean freight rates, a shipper risks significant losses. Fees and conditions vary based on the route or destination, adding complexity to the process.
Although ocean freight rates are generally pre-set and standardized, this is also a highly unpredictable area.
Check Ocean Freight Rates Influential Factors:
1. Season
Rates and fees vary depending on the season and type of cargo being moved. Certain goods, such as grains and fruits, will have higher cargo rates depending on particular freight seasons.
2. Currency
Currency is another key factor to consider when shipping your cargo overseas. We all know different countries use different currencies, however, the common denomination used for international transaction purposes is the dollar. Ocean freight rates depend on the exchange rate at the time of the transaction, so transporters should monitor currency fluctuations to avoid surprises.
3. Fines and Fees
There is also the possibility of facing situations where the shipper will need to pay extra fees or even fines. Shippers may encounter issues such as delays due to incidents or overcrowding at the port. If something like that happens, authorities may impose a fine, which could affect ocean shipping rates.
4. Terminal fees
Pay these fees both when the ship boards and upon its arrival at your cargo’s port of destination. Although it is possible for freight forwarders and carriers to predict the total amount that will need to be paid for these fees, some things like cargo overweight or delayed could imply increased fees.
5. Container Capacity
If you choose to use the ocean freight option LCL (Less than Container Load) to ship your cargo, it means your cargo will be sharing the same container with other people’s cargoes. This is a good option for people who don’t have enough to fill an entire container because it means they can share the price of the container with others and save money. However, if your shipper doesn’t find enough cargo to fill the entire container, that will mean you will have fewer people to split the shipping fees with, which could also imply having to pay increased rates.
Now that you know more about what factors are important to consider when shipping your cargo by ocean freight, you can better understand what to look for in a shipping company. A specialized freight forwarding business, like GCE Logistics, has all the expertise and know-how of the global ocean freight process, providing our clients accurate rates, regardless of their cargo destination.
Our ocean freight services are integrated and complete, and our team is ready to build customer-based solutions to best fit your demands regarding time and cost restraints.
Uncover more about these related articles:
Recent Comments