As demand for on-demand, cost-effective global shipping services continues to grow, so does the competition. For businesses operating in international markets, reliable sea cargo services can mean the difference between staying profitable and not. However, with everything from rising costs and fees to increasingly complex regulations and restrictions continuing to increase costs for shippers and importers alike, is it time you started asking questions about whether your business could save money by switching from a more conventional shipping provider? These are some of the ways that regular use of sea cargo services can help you save money as a business.
Keep a close eye on weather conditions
As sea routes are subject to many factors out of the control of the shipper, you must always keep a close eye on weather conditions to avoid delays or even damage. Because sea routes are also subject to the whims of the atmosphere, even small temperature changes can have a significant impact on the speed at which a ship can be navigated. Additionally, certain weather conditions can be dangerous for shipping, such as high winds, large waves, and heavy fog. If you are concerned about potential weather issues, you may want to consider using air freight, or another type of ground transportation.
Choose the Right Shipping Provider for Your Needs
You will of course need to weigh up the costs and benefits of using a sea carrier for your own needs, but it is important to remember that many other factors will affect your choice. If you are shipping large or valuable consignments, you may want to choose a carrier with a good relationship with your country’s customs agency, while the size and volume of your shipments may make some sea carriers less desirable. The key is to choose a carrier that best suits your needs and ensures that you have the most reliable and cost-effective shipping solution available.
Country Specific Information
You must take the time to familiarise yourself with the country-specific information for your specific shipper and destination. For example, Pakistan has strict rules regarding the import and export of certain commodities. If you are shipping goods that are restricted, you will need to be aware of this and ensure that the relevant paperwork is ready in advance. Similarly, if you are importing medical products or perishable commodities, you will need to be aware of any specific requirements that your shipper may have.
Help With Documentation
It is important to remember that sea cargo shipping is a global business that relies on reliable service. While this may not necessarily be the case for the paperwork associated with your shipments, you will still likely face more documentation than road freight shipments. Therefore, it can be incredibly helpful to have a local partner ready to assist you with the documentation associated with your shipments while they are in transit. This can save you both time and money and can allow you to focus on delivering your products.
Time is Money
As in any business, time is money. Therefore, it is important to remember that sea shipping will take longer than road freight to complete. The best way to reduce the amount of time that you spend in transit is to invest in a sea freight solution that allows you to load and unload your shipments at a variety of locations. Additionally, you may want to consider selecting a carrier that offers door-to-door delivery, which will shorten the amount of time that you spend in transit.
Don’t Forget to Packaging!
As with road freight, you must ensure that your shipments are properly and carefully packed. Although this may seem like an obvious point, it is surprisingly common for shipments to be damaged during transit. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your packages are packed appropriately and securely. This will ensure that they remain safe during transit. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to make sure that your shipments are packed safely and securely during sea freight. First, you should only use soft, absorbent materials in your packaging. This will make it easier for your shipments to expand if they are damaged during transit and prevent the materials from becoming dirty during transit. Another important thing that you can do to make sure that your shipments are packed safely and securely during sea freight is to make sure that your boxes are rectangular. The most common type of box that fails during sea freight is a corrugated box, which is a round box. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your boxes are rectangular and that they are reinforced with either cardboard or fabric.
Summary
Sea freight is not for everyone. Fortunately, you can find alternative methods for moving your goods, such as air freight, and still, get the job done without putting your business in the hands of a maritime company. However, if you are ready to take the plunge and get your goods safely to their destination, sea freight is the best way to go. The key is to ensure that you choose the right sea freight service provider for your needs, research the country-specific information for your shipper and destination, have help with the documentation associated with your shipments, and ensure that your shipments are properly and carefully packed during transit. Doing so will help you to reduce the time that you spend in transit, which in turn will allow you to save money on sea freight costs.