What is sea freight?
Sea freight is one of the most robust branches of international transport, as the name suggests, involving the transportation of goods via sea vessels. This mode of transportation utilizes highly specialized ships tailored to this specific field, known as;
• Multipurpose vessels- primarily responsible for transporting industrial goods piece by piece, often packaged in crates or other types of containers.
• Bulk carriers – primarily used for transporting loose cargo, such as coal or grains, which is poured into the holds for shipment.
• Container ships – are as the name suggests, vessels designed for transporting containers.
Freight also encompasses other types; besides oceanic, inland, and coastal shipping.
The transportation of goods has long ceased to rely solely on one mode of transport. In the 21st century, every delivery covers distances larger than ever in the history of transportation. Importing from China is becoming increasingly popular, generating substantial profits for both sellers and buyers. For such orders, intermodal transportation is employed. Goods are initially loaded onto ships, then at the recipient’s port, they are transferred onto trucks for delivery to the final destination until sold.
When importing foreign goods, it is necessary to meet the requirements set by the Customs Office (in Poland, required documents include: T1 [transit declaration processed by a customs agency], translation of the invoice into Polish, specification, copy of the bill of lading). The sooner the documentation is submitted, the quicker the customs clearance will be completed, and the imported goods will be ready for distribution.
Sea freight opens seas and oceans of import-export opportunities for companies. It is not only the most efficient form of transportation regardless of the type or size of the cargo, but also enables seamless transport to the farthest corners of the globe, which may be inaccessible by land and hindered by limited air access due to the unavailability of airports or adverse weather conditions.
By sea, the most common goods transported are containerized cargo, and bulk cargo such as ores or grains. Equally prevalent are liquid cargoes, often fuels, along with special and non-containerized cargoes.
Sea transport unfortunately entails a relatively lengthy transit time compared to other freight branches. It varies depending on the distance between the loading and unloading ports. For instance, on one of the most popular routes in Europe, Shanghai to Gdańsk, the transit time ranges from 30 to 33 days, contingent on weather conditions and the size of the cargo.
The transportation time for containers from China, which takes up to 14 days by rail, takes approximately 30 days by sea. However, maritime transport has much broader loading capabilities and therefore is not as restricted in terms of the types of goods it can carry. Sea freight is more cost-effective for transcontinental shipping compared to the aforementioned rail and other branches of transportation. I will delve further into this topic in the subsequent part of the article.
The time of maritime transportation is influenced by different factors compared to road transport. Ships usually don’t make stops during the journey since they carry all the provisions needed for the trip. The most crucial aspects of this type of transportation are the distance to cover and the type of cargo, particularly its weight. These two factors regulate the speed at which a ship can travel to ensure the cargo remains secure and reaches the customer’s port safely.
Although seemingly insignificant, weather also influences the speed of maritime shipping. Whether it is raining, snowing, or sunny significantly impacts the number of days a ship spends at sea. The greatest threats to ships are not only storms that force vessels to travel at much slower speeds but also seasonal monsoons occurring in Asia, the Gulf of Guinea, and off the coasts of Central America, as well as tides. Often, during low tides, ships find it difficult to enter certain ports due to the risk of running aground.
From the duration of cargo handling to distribution, any amount of time can elapse. To minimize the time taken for distribution, the cargo needs to be efficiently unloaded from the ship, loaded onto trucks, and transported to a warehouse where customs clearance will take place. Only after this process can further distribution take place to fulfill deliveries. The quicker the unloading and subsequent customs clearance occur, the faster the pace of distributing imported goods will be.
Sea freight has evolved since ancient times. It particularly flourished in the late Middle Ages, not only aiding in the spread of unknown goods but also facilitating the exploration of new lands, animals, cultures, religions, and previously unknown diseases. The impact of maritime transport on humanity is immeasurable. It’s challenging to determine where we would be culturally and civilizationally without this branch of transportation.
Sea freight has developed over millennia. According to Lukasz Domanski, an entrepreneur in the field of logistics and former research associate at Poznań University of Economics, three stages can be identified in the evolution of maritime navigation.
The first stage, lasting until 1850, focused on the use of sailing ships. The ship’s speed depended on the wind as they were propelled by sails. All ship constructions were quite similar, transporting the same types of goods in multiple holds rather than a single one to prevent potential cargo contamination. This type of ship transported barrels of bulk and liquid goods. Unloading was managed in unarmed ports, leading to unloading procedures lasting for days.
The second stage, after 1850, relied on steamships, a response to the market’s high demand for a variety of goods and faster turnover. These were the times of the industrial revolution. Maritime shipping had to evolve alongside rapidly producing factories. Larger ship dimensions, coupled with the industrial boom, led to a significant surge in global trade and the emergence of new professions associated with maritime transport.
The third stage began at the start of the 20th century and continues to this day. It involved the advent of the cable telegraph, enabling sailors to communicate using Morse code, allowing for longer stays at sea without having to dock for navigational instructions. Soon after, the wireless telegraph appeared, aiding clear and smooth communication between ports and ships, as well as among the ships themselves. In 1906, the transatlantic liner “Republic” transmitted the first-ever message to the shore using a telegraph.
Compared to other modes of transportation, maritime freight stands out in several aspects. It boasts extensive reach, far greater than rail or road freight. Air and maritime freight strongly compete with each other – both options reach the farthest corners of the globe. However, air freight has one drawback, which often tips the scale in favor of maritime transport – it is considerably more expensive.
Sea freight also distinguishes itself by having no significant limitations regarding the type or size of the transported cargo, a feature lacking in all other options. It is a much safer option compared to road transport, which is prone to damage during transit due to various unforeseen events, often beyond the driver’s control. For a ship, the only significant risk is weather-related.
Currently, the most popular technologies used in maritime transport include the reliable GPS, which seamlessly pinpoints a ship’s location on the map anywhere in the world, as well as automated maneuvering systems and cargo control.
Sailors from several generations ago could hardly dream of such technologies, let alone their usage. Considering how much has changed in this industry, we can expect even greater advancements that will undoubtedly contribute to streamlining this form of shipping.
Real Logistics offers comprehensive support for all types of freight. We have been handling maritime freight for years and have also been renting and selling containers. Our headquarters is located in Wroclaw, Poland. We also have branch offices in Warsaw, and Gdynia, as well as in Chengdu, China. Moreover, we have a network of trusted partners worldwide. We run our own customs agency, ensuring smooth customs clearance for imported goods. This way, we can provide quick and hassle-free service to any client interested not only in importing from China but also in other types of freight. We invite you to join our satisfied customer base!
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