Why Choose ISC for Ocean Transport?
We don't just book your container. We manage your ocean shipment from booking to delivery.
Types of Ocean Transport We Offer
1. FCL – Full Container Load
Best for: Large shipments that fill most or all of a standard container.
How it works:
You rent an entire container exclusively for your cargo
Load at your warehouse or our origin depot
Container sealed and tracked as a single unit
Unloaded at destination
Advantages:
Lower cost per unit for high-volume cargo
Faster port handling (containers move as a unit)
Reduced risk of damage or loss
Direct door-to-door or port-to-port options
Container sizes:
Transit time (example routes):
China (Shanghai) → USA (Los Angeles): 18–22 days
Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) → Europe (Rotterdam): 30–38 days
USA (New York) → UK (Southampton): 12–16 days
India (Mumbai) → UAE (Jebel Ali): 8–12 days
2. LCL – Less than Container Load
Best for: Shipments under 15 cubic meters (CBM) that don't require a full container.
How it works:
Your cargo shares container space with other shippers' goods
Consolidated at origin CFS (Container Freight Station)
Deconsolidated at destination CFS
You pay only for the volume you use
Advantages:
Lower cost for small shipments
Flexible for samples, small orders, or testing new markets
No minimum volume requirement (as low as 1 CBM)
Disadvantages:
Slower transit (extra handling at CFS on both ends)
Higher risk of damage (multiple loading/unloading events)
Higher cost per CBM than FCL for shipments over 15 CBM
LCL pricing factors:
Chargeable weight (actual weight vs. dimensional weight — whichever is higher)
Origin CFS handling fees
Destination CFS deconsolidation fees
Bill of Lading issuance fee
When to choose LCL: Shipments under 10 pallets or 15 CBM. Above that, FCL becomes cheaper and safer.
Transit time: Similar to FCL plus 3–7 days for consolidation/deconsolidation at both ends.
3. Reefer – Refrigerated Containers
Best for: Temperature-sensitive cargo requiring consistent temperature control throughout transit.
How it works:
Specialized containers with built-in refrigeration units
Plugged into vessel power (or generator on chassis for trucking)
Real-time temperature monitoring with data loggers
Alerts for any deviation from set range
Common temperature ranges:
Our reefer capabilities:
20ft and 40ft reefers available from all major ports
Pre-trip inspection (PTI) reports provided before loading
Backup generator rental for inland moves (where vessel power unavailable)
GDP-compliant handling for pharmaceuticals
Transit time: Same as standard FCL + 1–2 days for PTI at origin.
Cost premium: Reefer containers cost 30–50% more than dry containers due to equipment costs and power fees.
4. Open Top & Flat Rack Containers
Best for: Oversized, heavy, or oddly shaped cargo that doesn't fit in a standard container.
Open Top Container:
Removable soft or hard top (canvas or steel)
Loaded via crane from above
Ideal for cargo that exceeds height limits of standard containers (e.g., machinery, timber, large pipes)
Flat Rack Container:
No sides or roof — just a flat platform with collapsible ends
Loaded from above, sides, or ends
Ideal for very wide, tall, or long cargo (e.g., turbines, vehicles, rebar)
Common uses:
Industrial machinery and presses
Construction equipment (excavators, bulldozers without tracks)
Large pipes, beams, and structural steel
Boats and small vessels (up to 40ft)
Heavy vehicles (forklifts, tractors)
Securing methods: Chains, nylon straps, steel lashings, wooden blocking and bracing — all inspected and certified by cargo surveyors.
Transit time: Same as standard FCL + 2–5 days for special equipment availability.
Cost premium: 20–40% above standard container rates (plus dunnage and lashing fees).
5. Breakbulk Shipping
Best for: Project cargo, industrial equipment, or raw materials that cannot fit in any container — even on flat racks.
How it works:
Cargo loaded individually into vessel holds (not in containers)
Secured directly to the ship's structure
Commonly used for heavy-lift vessels with onboard cranes
Examples of breakbulk cargo:
Transformers and generators (100+ tons)
Wind turbine blades, towers, and nacelles
Locomotives and rail cars
Large industrial boilers and pressure vessels
Steel coils, plates, and rods (too heavy for containers)
Equipment used:
Conventional vessels with onboard cranes (up to 500 tons lifting capacity)
Heavy-lift vessels with 1,000+ ton cranes
Barges for river or shallow-draft ports
Transit time: Variable (15–60 days) — depends on vessel scheduling and port berthing windows.
Cost: High — but necessary for cargo that cannot be containerized. Quoted per piece, not per container.
6. Project Cargo (Integrated Ocean + Logistics)
Best for: Complex, multi-piece, high-value industrial projects requiring engineering, route surveys, and coordinated logistics.
Examples:
Building an entire factory overseas (all machinery, piping, electrical equipment)
Constructing a solar farm (thousands of panels, racks, inverters)
Mining equipment for remote sites (crushers, conveyors, haul trucks)
Oil & gas modules (wellheads, separators, compressors)
Our project cargo services include:
Route surveys (road, port, and site access)
Heavy-lift engineering (crane selection, sling angles, center of gravity calculations)
Port coordination (reserved berth windows, special equipment)
Customs compliance for project-specific temporary imports (ATA Carnets, temporary import bonds)
On-site delivery and positioning (final placement at your facility)
Lead time: 3–12 months from initial consultation to delivery (varies by complexity).
Cost: Six to seven figures for large projects. We provide phased budgeting and milestone billing.
Ocean Transport by Trade Lane
Asia → North America (Transpacific Eastbound)
Peak season: August–October (pre-holiday rush). Rates increase 50–100%.
Current trends (2026): West Coast volumes recovering; East Coast remains congested due to Panama Canal draft restrictions.
North America → Asia (Transpacific Westbound)
Typical cargo: Recyclables (waste paper, scrap metal), agricultural products (soybeans, corn), chemicals, timber.
Asia → Europe (Far East to North Europe)
Alternative route: Via Suez Canal (standard) or around Cape of Good Hope (avoids Red Sea risks, adds 10–15 days).
Europe → Asia (Westbound)
Typical cargo: Automotive parts, luxury goods, wines, industrial machinery.
Europe → North America (Transatlantic)
Typical cargo: Wine, spirits, cheese, cosmetics, machinery, pharmaceuticals.
North America → Europe (Westbound)
Typical cargo: Machinery, vehicle parts, plastics, chemicals, forest products.
Intra-Asia & Middle East
Ideal for: Electronics, textiles, chemicals, raw materials, finished goods.
Latin America Trades
Growing trade lanes: Mexico is now the largest US trading partner. Increasing direct Asia-Mexico services.
Ocean Transport Process – Step by Step
Phase 1 – Booking (2–7 days before cargo ready)
Phase 2 – Export (3–10 days)
Phase 3 – Ocean Transit (12–45 days)
Vessel tracked via AIS (Automatic Identification System)
Weekly position updates provided via email or dashboard
Proactive alerts for delays, rerouting, or weather issues
Estimated arrival date (ETA) updated every 72 hours
Phase 4 – Import & Delivery (3–10 days after arrival)
Total end-to-end lead time: Transit time + 10–20 days for export/import handling (varies by port efficiency).
Documents Required for Ocean Transport
Missing one document? We audit 72 hours before vessel departure to flag issues. Do not assume everything is correct — let us check.
Ocean Freight Pricing – What Affects Your Rate
Common surcharges:
Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)
Emergency Bunker Surcharge (EBS)
Terminal Handling Charge (THC)
Documentation Fee (Doc Fee)
Sealing Fee
Chassis Fee (US ports only)
Low Sulfur Surcharge (LSS) – IMO 2020 compliance
We show all surcharges upfront in your quote. No "surprise fees" after booking.
Sample Transit Times & Cost Estimates
Rough estimates for port-to-port, not including inland trucking or customs handling.
