Ocean Freight Services

Sustainable sea freight solutions,seamlessly delivered.
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global supply chain

Sea freight is the backbone of international trade.

With around 80% of goods moved by sea, it plays a pivotal role in connecting businesses and consumers across the globe. Sea freight is reliable, environmentally friendly, and capable of handling a wide range of cargo types, from raw materials to finished products.

global supply chain

F-One Supply Chain rich shipping heritage and relationships with our overseas network enable us to secure capacity, negotiate competitive rates, and adapt quickly and efficiently to fluctuating ocean freight volumes.

Rate Checking

We understand the importance of lead times and real-time visibility of how orders are progressing to our customers. This is why we ensure our clients can access Connect, our real-time tracking solution, via our digital portal.

F-One Supply Chain's dedicated sea freight team offers a very personal service. Throughout the years, we have established a global infrastructure capable of servicing individual customer requirements across all industries.

global supply chain

We offer a comprehensive range of flexible sea freight services, including Deep Sea and Short Sea shipping, through strategic partnerships with all the major global carriers built over many years.

Freight Cost Quotation

Our short sea freight services are an alternative to using road freight. They help reduce road congestion, lower emissions, and offer flexible transportation options, especially for perishable goods and time-sensitive cargo.

Besides expert sea freight solutions, we offer complete warehouse and distribution services ranging from unloading and warehousing storage to onward distribution and a comprehensive customs clearance solution.

Our Ocean Services

At F-One Supply Chain, we provide a whole host of sea freight solutions tailored to your business’s specific needs and requirements. Our ocean freight services include:

  • Full Container Load(FCL)

FCL is suitable for businesses with large volumes of cargo to transport and want greater control and security over their shipments, faster transit times, reduced handling, and flexibility in packing and loading. We offer the option of 20ft, 40ft, and 45ft containers plus flat racks, open tops, and out-of-gauge services.

  • Consolidation Services

Less container load (LCL) is a cost-effective and efficient sea freight shipping option for businesses that do not have enough cargo to fill an entire shipping container. Our in-house consolidation services allow multiple businesses to share space within a single container, reducing costs and environmental impact.

  • Reefer Services

Reefer, shortened for refrigerated, refers to specialised sea freight containers and vessels with temperature control technology. This service plays a vital role in the global supply chain, ensuring that perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, seafood, and pharmaceuticals reach their destination in pristine condition.

  • Roll-on/Roll-off Services

Ro-Ro, short for Roll-on/Roll-off, provides a dynamic and efficient sea freight shipping solution for businesses wishing to ship vehicles, heavy machinery, heavy ceramic products, or oversized cargo. It eliminates the hassle of crane-loading and unloading by allowing cargo to be rolled on and off specially designed vessels. Not only does this save time, but it also reduces the risk of damage to valuable equipment.

  • Dry Bulk

Dry Bulk vessels are specially designed to carry large quantities of loose, dry commodities such as grains, minerals, coal, and metals. If your business is in agriculture, mining, or manufacturing, dry bulk sea freight service is a cost-effective way to ship your goods, as these commodities are loaded directly onto the ship's hold without packaging or containers.

  • Go Green

Traditional logistics practices can contribute to pollution, increased carbon emissions, and environmental degradation. Our teams are on hand to provide greener alternatives to conventional ocean freight services, including eco-friendly packaging, efficient route planning, and innovative supply chain practices. Not only do these green sea freight solutions reduce your carbon footprint, but they also enhance operational efficiency and minimise costs. In addition to reducing your carbon emissions, we can also record and provide solutions to offset them, helping you on your journey to net zero.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have further questions about our sea freight services, kindly see the section below to find the answers to frequently asked questions.
1) What type of shipping container should I use?
The type of container you need will depend on the goods you need to transport. Here is a list of the most common sea freight containers and what they are used for.
  • Standard -a standardised metal box usually measuring 20ft or 40ft in length.
  • Dress hanger -sea freight container used to transport clothing items, such as evening and bridal wear, without folding.
  • Flat racks -sea freight container without two side walls or a roof and is often used for oversized cargo.
  • Flexi tank -a sea freight container with a flexible tank inside that transports non-hazardous liquid.
  • High cube -sea freight container taller than the standard 8ft 6in.
  • Insulated – sea freight container used to maintain the temperature of the goods inside.
  • Open top – sea freight container that opens from the top to simplify loading and unloading of heavy, bulky, tall, or awkward goods.
  • Reefer – refrigerated sea freight container used to keep perishable goods, such as food, at a constant temperature of lower than 15 degrees.
  • Ventilated – sea freight container used for transporting items requiring protection from moisture and condensation.
2) How many pallets can you fit in a shipping container?
It will depend on pallet and container size as the pallets used in sea transport differ. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) recognises three popular pallet sizes for efficient shipping:
  • Standard/EUR2/ISO2 -measures 1200mm x 1000mm (47.24in x 39.37in). A 20ft container can fit 10 standard pallets, while a 40ft container can fit 20-21.
  • North American Standard/GMA -measures 1016mm x 1219mm (40in x 48in). A 20ft container can fit 10 GMA pallets, while a 40ft container can fit 20.
  • EUR/EUR1/ISO1 - – measures 800mm x 1200mm (31.5 x 39.37in). A 20ft container can fit 11 EUR1 pallets, while a 40ft container can fit 23-24.
3) When is the next available space, and how stable are your rates?

We use a two-tier selling system as part of our commitment to delivering reliable sea freight solutions. We work with our distribution partners to ensure the stability of our sea freight rates and continuous space availability for new and existing clients.

4) Which is more expensive to ship, FLC or LCL?

At F-One Supply Chain, we handle all the paperwork for your shipments to make air freight much easier and more convenient. Our experienced team will ensure that export and import customs formalities (NES customs entry, Intrastat, CFSP Messaging) at all main UK ports are completed efficiently and promptly. By choosing our services, you can sit back and relax as we do all the work on your behalf.

More Questions?