When a company conducts import and export business, the choice of transportation method is very important. Common ones areThe Maritime, rail transport, air transport, etc. As far as my country's maritime transport is concerned, its scale is very large. The cargo throughput of my country's coastal ports has remained at a high level year after year, and many large ports undertake a large amount of import and export cargo transportation tasks every year. For example, Shanghai Port and Ningbo Zhoushan Port have long been ranked at the forefront of global cargo throughput. Every year, various types of goods entering and leaving my country by sea cover many categories from raw materials to industrial products, which strongly supports my country's important position in the global industrial chain and supply chain.

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of ocean shipping as a mainstream mode of transportation? What details should we pay attention to when shipping goods by sea? Let's take a look below.

1.Analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of sea transportation

Advantages

1. Cost-effective:When transporting large quantities of goods (such as coal, ore, grain, etc.), the unit transportation cost of sea transportation is often much lower than that of air and land transportation, which helps companies reduce logistics costs and improve competitiveness.
2. Large transportation volume:Sea freight vessels have a huge cargo capacity and can transport large quantities of goods at once. For example, ultra-large container ships can carry thousands of standard containers and can meet the transportation needs of large-scale trade.
3. Highly adaptable:Sea transportation can connect major ports around the world, with a wide coverage of routes that can reach almost all coastal countries and regions, which is of great significance to the global development of international trade.

Disadvantages

1. Slow shipping speed:Compared with air transport, sea transport is slower, which is not suitable for some goods with high timeliness requirements (such as fresh products, high-value electronic product components, etc.), and may affect the company's capital turnover and market response speed.
2. Affected by weather:During sea transportation, ships are vulnerable to bad weather (such as typhoons, heavy rains, tsunamis, etc.), which may lead to risks such as flight delays, cargo damage and even shipwrecks. This will not only increase transportation costs, but may also cause economic losses to cargo owners. Additional insurance measures are needed to deal with these potential risks.
3. Poor flexibility:Sea transportation usually relies on port facilities for loading and unloading, and the transportation routes are relatively fixed. Unlike land transportation, which can achieve direct door-to-door transportation, for some inland areas or areas without good port connections, the transshipment and inland transportation of goods may increase the complexity and cost of logistics.

2. Details that need to be paid attention to in sea transportation

Cargo preparation

1. Package:Ensure that the goods are packed firmly and intact, and can withstand the bumps, squeezing and stacking during sea transportation. Choose appropriate packaging materials according to the characteristics of the goods.
2. Marking and Labeling:The name, specifications, quantity, weight, volume, destination and other information of the goods, as well as necessary transportation signs and warning signs, such as "fragile", "moisture-proof", "this end up", etc., should be clearly marked on the cargo packaging to facilitate identification and operation during loading and unloading and transportation.
3. Cargo List and Documents:Prepare a detailed and accurate cargo list, including a detailed description of the cargo, quantity, value, etc., to ensure that it is consistent with the customs declaration documents and transportation documents such as bills of lading. At the same time, organize other necessary documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, quality inspection certificates, etc. for customs inspection and clearance.

Shipping company and route selection

1. Shipping company reputation and strength:Choose a shipping company with good reputation and rich experience. You can learn about its service quality, transportation timeliness, cargo safety and other aspects by consulting industry reviews and customer feedback.
2. Routes and sailing schedules:Choose the appropriate route and shipping date according to the destination and transportation time requirements of the goods. Some popular routes may have a relatively dense shipping schedule, with relatively short transportation time, but higher freight rates; while some remote or niche routes may have fewer shipping schedules, so it is necessary to plan the transportation time in advance and consider possible transit and other situations.

Contract of carriage and bill of lading

1. The contract terms clearly state:Before signing a transport contract, carefully review the contract terms to ensure that the contract clearly states the key contents such as the description of the goods, the transport route, the ship date, the loading and unloading port, the freight and payment method, and the division of responsibilities. For special requirements or possible risks, such as refrigerated cargo and dangerous goods transportation, the rights and obligations of both parties must be specifically noted in the contract.
2. Bill of Lading Review:The bill of lading is an important document for the transportation of goods. After receiving the bill of lading, you must carefully review the information on the bill of lading, including the shipper, consignee, notify party, cargo description, quantity, loading date, ship name and voyage number, etc., to ensure that it is consistent with the actual cargo and transportation conditions.

Loading and unloading and warehousing

1. Supervision of loading and unloading operations:During the cargo loading and unloading process, arrange special personnel to supervise on-site to ensure that the loading and unloading workers operate in accordance with the operating procedures to avoid rough loading and unloading that may cause damage to the cargo. For special cargo, such as large equipment and precision instruments, communicate with the loading and unloading party in advance to formulate a special loading and unloading plan.
2. Storage conditions:If the goods need to be stored at the port, it is necessary to select a suitable warehouse and understand its storage conditions, ensuring that the warehouse has good ventilation, moisture-proof, fire-proof, and anti-theft facilities to meet the storage requirements of the goods. For goods with special storage requirements, such as perishable goods and dangerous goods, it is necessary to ensure that the warehouse has the corresponding qualifications and conditions.

Insurance and risk prevention

1. Cargo Insurance Purchase:Purchase sufficient cargo transportation insurance based on the value of the goods and the transportation risks. The insurance clauses should cover the entire transportation process, including loading and unloading, warehousing and other links, and clearly define the scope of insurance liability, deductible, claims settlement procedures and other contents.
2. Risk Assessment and Response:Assess the possible risks that may arise during sea transportation, such as bad weather, pirate attacks, ship failures, etc., and formulate corresponding risk response measures.

Conclusion

Import and export shipping involves many links and complex requirements. Every detail is related to whether the goods can be transported smoothly and whether the trade activities can be successfully carried out. When companies carry out import and export shipping, they must not take it lightly and pay attention to the key points of transportation preparation, special circumstances, etc. to ensure that there are no mistakes in each link.

If you have any other questions about import and export, or have further needs, please feel free to contact us.