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Sea freight: connecting the world on the high seas

Transport your goods from A to B by sea freight – cost-effective and with sustainability in mind. Powered by our local expertise, our dense network of port locations, own fleet and extensive experience with customized solutions ensure your cargo reaches its destination reliably and safely.

In short: what is sea freight?

Sea freight is the transport of goods by ship, offering a flexible and cost-efficient solution for cargo of varying sizes across regional and global trade routes. It is suitable for goods ranging from raw materials to finished products.

How does sea freight work?

Sea freight follows a structured process designed to move goods efficiently, while offering a high degree of flexibility for different cargo requirements. Shipments are booked based on volume, weight, and destination, then consolidated or prepared as full loads, depending on the cargo type. Once export customs clearance is completed, the goods are transported to the port of origin and loaded onto a vessel. During transit, shipments are tracked until arrival, where import clearance occurs. Goods are then delivered to the destination or transferred to onward transport, depending on the supply chain setup.

Explore our sea freight solutions

With our sea freight solutions, you can move your cargo across the world with ease. From full-container loads (FCL) and less-than-container loads (LCL) to smart consolidation options, our tailored solutions keep your supply chain running smoothly. We bring expertise in handling diverse requirements – from dangerous goods and customs clearance to sustainable shipping and other value-added services. Supported by an extensive network and strong intermodal capabilities, we deliver fixed sailing schedules, guaranteed space allocation and multimodal connections for all your sea freight logistics needs.

What we offer

Ship smaller volumes efficiently with LCL. By sharing container space with other shipments, you benefit from cost savings and scheduling flexibility without compromising reliability. When your cargo doesn’t fill an entire container, LCL lets you respond quickly to changing market demand while keeping logistics simple and sustainable.

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Choose FCL for dedicated, secure and efficient sea transport. Our customized container solutions keep your cargo sealed and protected from origin to destination, minimizing risk and transit time. With continuous shipment tracking and digital booking and documentation, managing your freight becomes easy and transparent. Our NVOCC presence and ability to use our own containers add an extra layer of flexibility on routes where carrier equipment is limited.

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Combine multiple LCL shipments into a single full-container load (FCL) with buyer’s and seller’s consolidation.  This solution combines multiple LCL shipments into a single FCL container to optimize space, reduce handling, and lower overall shipping costs. Whether centralizing imports or coordinating exports from various origins, consolidation helps you improve planning, gain visibility, and simplify coordination across your cargo flows.

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Short sea shipping offers a fast and economical way to move goods between regional ports and markets. With regular liner connections, reliable transit times and a strong network of locations, we provide efficient and sustainable transport across coastal routes. Our integrated logistics approach ensures smooth handling and timely deliveries, keeping your supply chain connected from end to end.

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We provide tailored logistics solutions for offshore projects – from crew transfers by vessel or helicopter to the delivery of supplies and spare parts for offshore platforms. Through efficient groupage concepts, we consolidate shipments to reduce costs and emissions while maintaining reliability. Whether supporting offshore energy operations or complete wind farm campaigns, we ensure safe, compliant and dependable transport at sea.

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Your benefits

Whether you're shipping small volumes through LCL or larger quantities with FCL, sea freight remains the most economical mode for international transport.

With its high transport capacity, sea freight produces far fewer CO2 emissions than air transport.

Benefit from fixed departures and reliable transit times, ensuring stable and predictable supply chains.

Sea freight can handle almost any cargo type - from bulk and oversized goods to temperature-controlled and dangerous goods.

Sea freight connects nearly every major market worldwide through extensive port networks and trade lanes, making it ideal for international supply chains.

Why choose Rhenus for sea freight services

  • Strong network to support you worldwide with gateway services that combine global reach with local expertise
  • Trusted partnerships with all major shipping companies to ensure dependable capacity and service stability
  • Comprehensive services along the entire supply chain, offering tailored, end-to-end logistics solutions through a single partner
  • Flexibility through customized industry solutions
  • Enhanced security with real-time shipment tracking throughout the entire transportation process
  • Digital efficiency through paperless booking systems and digital platforms that enhance transparency and control
  • Strategic market expansion support to help you enter and grow in new markets, backed by our logistics expertise and strategic planning
  • Operations on all major trade lanes, such as Asia-Europe, Intra-Asia, Trans-Pacific and Asia-Latin America

Value-added services for sea freight

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Sea freight handling

We take care of every step of your sea freight journey - from arranging pick-up and delivery to handling all documentation and storage. Our value-added services include neutralization, fumigation, packaging, strapping and other specialized handling to keep your cargo safe, compliant and ready for onward transport.

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Customs clearance

We ensure your cargo passes smoothly through customs. Our experts stay up to date with the latest regulations and manage all import and export procedures on your behalf - directly or through trusted local partners. With Rhenus, your documentation and declarations are handled precisely and efficiently, so your cargo keeps moving without delays.

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Marine cargo insurance

Our customized transport insurance solutions protect the value of your freight against risks of physical loss or damage during transportation by land, sea or air. With our insurance coverage, you can manage risks confidently and secure your supply chain financially. Since not all routes are equally safe and not all goods are equally sensitive, our insurance services ensure your shipments are always protected.

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E-solutions for your sea freight

We seamlessly integrate your IT systems with ours to automate exchange of important business data, such as shipping orders or status codes. This ensures efficient processes and eliminates manual input.  Therefore, you benefit from better data quality, fewer errors and faster processing of your transactions.

Inside of a warehouse

Storage solutions

Our secure storage facilities provide flexible options for both short- and long-term warehousing. We offer temperature-controlled and bonded storage where required, as well as smart inventory management and value-added services such as pick & pack, consolidation and deconsolidation - ensuring your goods are stored safely and efficiently until the next leg of their journey.

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Ocean Freight Insights: Market Update

Your snapshot of global ocean freight.

Explore shifts in demand, capacity, and rates across key trade lanes — plus how tariffs, port congestion, and vessel deployment are shaping supply chains. Gain insights into today’s market to plan smarter amid uncertainty and build a more resilient logistics strategy.

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Are you looking for a reliable and well-connected partner in sea freight logistics?

Get in touch with our experts for comprehensive guidance and support.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, air freight is generally more expensive than sea freight. This is mainly due to the higher operating costs of aircraft and their limited cargo capacity compared to ships. Air freight is typically chosen for urgent or time-sensitive shipments, while sea freight is a more cost-effective option for larger volumes and longer distances.

Sea freight transit times depend on the trade lane, distance and service type. In general, ocean freight takes several weeks, including port handling and customs clearance. While it is slower than air freight, sea freight offers predictable schedules and is well-suited for shipments that are not time-critical.

Compared to other transport modes, sea freight is considered one of the most environmentally efficient options for long-distance transportation. Ships can carry large volumes of cargo at once, resulting in lower emissions per ton-kilometer. This makes sea freight a more sustainable choice, especially for high-volume shipments.

Sea freight is the right choice when cost efficiency, capacity and sustainability are more important than speed. It is commonly used for large or heavy shipments, international trade over long distances and supply chains with flexible delivery timelines.

You can choose between full charter services and general cargo shipments, depending on your specific transport requirements. We handle all types of cargo: from containers, bulk and general cargo to hazardous materials, liquid goods and heavy or oversized project shipments.

For deep-sea transport, we rely on our long-standing partnerships with reputable carriers to charter vessels and ensure reliable, on-time delivery worldwide. For smaller shipments, we consolidate your freight efficiently, allowing you to benefit from optimized capacity utilization and reduced transport costs.

With our consolidation services, buyers can combine LCL shipments from different suppliers to reduce costs. Your shipments are collected in one location, consolidated into an FCL container and sent to the destination together. If you’re a seller, we load your various shipments from one origin into an FCL container and send it directly to the port of destination, where the goods are unloaded and distributed to each recipient. This saves time and effort while giving you better transparency and control over your sea freight.