Looking to expand your business beyond borders? Air and ocean freight shipping can be a game-changer when it comes to moving goods internationally. As your air and ocean freight shipping partner, CW Freight is here to make your international shipping process smooth and hassle-free. Whether it is transporting raw materials, bulk materials, or finished goods, we can help you with all these and more.
Offering specialized container drayage services based out of Chicago and throughout the Midwest, trust CW Freight for all of your freight shipping needs. Give us a call at 773-234-0010 to learn more about how we can help support your shipping needs.
What Is Air or Ocean Freight Shipping?
Air and ocean freight transportation is the shipment of goods in container ships by sea or cargo airplanes. These services are ideal for businesses that are dealing in bulk items, raw materials, or finished goods that need to be shipped to international destinations. Ocean freight shipping is versatile. Containers used in ocean freight can carry over 220 pounds of goods, and they come in various sizes, typically ranging from 20 to 40 feet.
How Does It Work?
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the freight shipping process works:
- Initial Contact: The shipper reaches out to the ocean shipping company or a transportation partner like CW Freight to coordinate the shipments, sharing details such as the type of cargo to be sent, including its size and weight.
- Packaging and Labeling: After the initial contact, the goods are securely packaged and labeled for transport.
- First-Mile Delivery: The goods are transported to the nearby ports using trucks. This is called first-mile delivery.
- Documentation and Inspection: Necessary documentation, such as invoices and licenses, are prepared. The customs authorities then inspect the goods to ensure compliance with import/export regulations. As a bonded carrier, CW Freight aids in this process for our customers.
- Loading and Transport: After customs clearance, the goods are loaded into a standardized shipping container, which is then placed on a cargo ship for transport.
- Arrival and Last-Mile Delivery: Upon reaching the destination, the container is off-loaded, loaded onto a truck, and transported to the final destination, such as a warehouse.
Benefits of Ocean Freight Shipping
Here are some of the key benefits:
- Cost-effective: Shipping goods over long distances by sea is generally more economical compared to air shipping, especially for bulk shipments.
- Capacity for large quantities: It can carry a wide range of goods, from standardized cargo containers to bulk commodities.
- Eco-friendly: Thanks to their fuel efficiency, cargo ships are more sustainable compared to other transportation modes. This makes ocean freight shipping a more sustainable option for transporting goods.
Drawbacks
While this service has many advantages, it also has some drawbacks:
- Longer transit times: Cargo ships take a longer time to deliver goods compared to air shipping.
- Complex logistics: Ocean freight shipping involves multiple transportation modes, making the handling of logistics more complex.
Types of Freight Transported by Air & Ocean Freight Shipping
- Bulk commodities
- General cargo
- Hazardous materials
Contact Us Today for Air & Ocean Freight Shipping from Chicago
Ready to expand your business? Get in touch with us to explore CW Freight’s ocean freight shipping services, which are designed to meet your specific needs. As your intermodal transportation partner serving businesses throughout the Midwest, call us at 773-234-0010 to get started.