Transport Services

Sea Freight (FCL / LCL)

LANGINO LOGISTICS provides all types of sea freight services - both container and non-standard cargo. Sea freight is the most economical solution, ensuring cargo delivery in line with the client's budget and desired timeframe — particularly suited for electronic components, chemical products and manufacturing equipment. We offer customs brokerage and warehousing services.

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How Does Sea Freight Work?

Interested? If you need cost-effective sea freight services, contact a LANGINO LOGISTICS specialist to discuss possible solutions for your cargo delivery.

LANGINO LOGISTICS is a transport and logistics company offering sea freight services. Maritime transport is most commonly used when origin and destination are not connected by land routes, or when cargo volume and distance make sea freight the most economical solution.

We offer container shipments with 20', 40' and 40' High-Cube containers, as well as non-standard cargo transport with special Flat Rack and Open Top containers. We organise sea freight with various vessel types - container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers to match your individual cargo needs.

Our logistics experts offer a full range of services - from cargo preparation and packaging, route planning to delivery at any destination. We provide the complete sea freight cycle: booking, documentation, customs clearance, tracking, and delivery.

FCL or LCL — Which Container Type to Choose?

Sea freight includes various transport types depending on cargo nature, volume, and characteristics. LANGINO LOGISTICS offers all major types of sea freight:

Full Container Load (FCL)

FCL means booking an entire container exclusively for your cargo. The standard approach when volume fills a container (typically 15+ CBM). Available in 20' standard (~33 CBM), 40' standard (~67 CBM), and 40' High Cube (~76 CBM) containers.

Less-than-Container Load (LCL)

LCL consolidates cargo from multiple shippers into shared containers - you pay only for the space used. An economical solution for smaller volumes (1-15 CBM). Rates are calculated per CBM or per ton, whichever is higher.

Bulk Cargo Shipping

Bulk sea freight is designed for large volumes of unpackaged cargo - grain, coal, ore, minerals, and other materials transported by specialised bulk carriers.

Liquid Cargo Shipping

Liquid cargo transport by tankers and ISO tank containers - petroleum products, chemicals, food oils, and other liquids with specialised equipment and safety requirements.

Dangerous Goods (ADR) Shipping

Dangerous goods shipping by sea requires special documentation, certified containers, and proper labelling. We handle all ADR classes in compliance with the IMDG Code.

Temperature-Controlled Cargo

Reefer containers provide temperature control from -30°C to +30°C. Ideal for food products, pharmaceuticals, and other temperature-sensitive cargo.

How Much Does Sea Freight Cost from Latvia?

Choosing LANGINO LOGISTICS for sea freight means professional and reliable service with an individual approach to every client:

Experience & Knowledge

Years of experience organising sea freight to and from various countries worldwide. Our specialists understand all nuances of maritime transport and customs procedures.

Individual Solutions

Tailored sea freight solutions for every client - from container selection and route planning to customs clearance and final delivery.

Global Coverage

Extensive partner network in world ports ensures sea freight to and from any port. Asia, Europe, Americas, Africa - we'll deliver your cargo.

China-Europe Trade Lane

Asia-Europe is our core sea freight capability. Managing this trade lane effectively requires understanding its specific characteristics:

Transit Times

60-90 days ocean transit depending on routing (direct vs transshipment). Add 3-5 days each end for port handling and customs. Total door-to-door is typically 70-100 days in current market.

Port Selection

Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp for Western Europe. Gdansk, Klaipeda, Riga for Baltic distribution. Port choice affects both cost and onward transport to destination.

Documentation & Customs

Bill of Lading, origin certificates and commercial documents must be prepared before cargo ships. Pre-arrival customs clearance enables immediate release upon arrival.

What to Consider for Sea Freight

When planning sea freight, it's important to consider several aspects to ensure safe and smooth transportation:

Cargo Types & Characteristics

Determine cargo type, weight, dimensions, and special requirements. Different cargo needs different container types - standard, reefer, Open Top, or Flat Rack.

Documentation & Formalities

Prepare all required documents - Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificates of origin. Documentation errors discovered at destination cause costly delays.

Cargo Insurance

Basic carrier liability covers only a small fraction of cargo value (~€2/kg). Full-value cargo insurance is strongly recommended for protection against losses.

Cargo Securing

Container cargo must be secured per international standards to prevent shifting and damage during sea transport. Proper loading and securing is a critical safety element.

Regulatory Restrictions

Different countries and ports apply varying import and export regulations. It's essential to verify destination country requirements to avoid delays and additional costs.

Special Cargo Regulations

Dangerous goods (ADR/IMDG), temperature-sensitive cargo, and oversized cargo have special rules and requirements that must be observed during transport.

Incident Management

Ensure a clear action plan for incidents or cargo damage. Immediate damage documentation and proper insurance enable effective resolution of any unforeseen situations.

Incoterms - International Rules for Sea Freight

Incoterms are international trade rules that since 1936 define who is responsible (buyer or seller) in various international transactions. These rules are particularly important in sea freight as they determine the distribution of responsibility for transport, insurance, and risks.

The latest Incoterms 2020 edition includes 11 rules, of which 4 apply exclusively to sea transport:

Incoterm Name Description
FAS Free Alongside Ship Seller delivers cargo alongside the vessel at the port of shipment
FOB Free on Board Seller loads cargo onto vessel. Risk transfers to buyer after loading
CFR Cost and Freight Seller pays for cargo transport to the destination port
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight Seller pays for transport and insurance to the destination port

Choosing the right Incoterms is essential for clear responsibility distribution between buyer and seller. LANGINO LOGISTICS consultants will help select the optimal Incoterm for your transaction.

When Is Sea Freight More Cost-Effective Than Air or Road?

Sea freight offers several significant advantages compared to other transport modes:

Cost Efficiency

Sea transport is the most economical mode for large cargo volumes. Cost per ton or CBM is significantly lower than air or land transport.

Long Distance

Sea transport connects continents and ports worldwide. It's the only practical way to move large cargo volumes between continents.

Cargo Size & Capacity

Container ships can carry thousands of containers simultaneously. No weight or dimension limits that exist with other transport modes.

Loading & Unloading

Modern port infrastructure ensures efficient container loading and unloading. Standardised containers simplify multimodal transport organisation.

Safety

Sea freight is one of the safest transport modes. Containers protect cargo from external conditions, and modern tracking systems allow real-time monitoring.

Contact Us and Get Your Quote!

Our logistics experts offer a full range of services - from cargo preparation and packaging, route planning to delivery at any destination. We organise sea freight with various vessel types - container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers to match your individual cargo needs.

What's Included

  • Carrier booking and space confirmation
  • Container allocation (FCL) or consolidation (LCL)
  • Bill of Lading documentation
  • Origin and destination port handling
  • Shipment tracking and status updates
  • Basic carrier liability coverage
  • Customs documentation support
  • Coordination with inland transport

What's Not Included (Optional Add-ons)

  • Cargo insurance (strongly recommended, quoted separately)
  • Customs duties and VAT (paid by importer)
  • Inland trucking (priced separately for door-to-door)
  • Container demurrage and detention charges
  • Inspection and fumigation fees
  • Port storage beyond free time

Required Documents

  • Bill of Lading (Master and House)
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Packing List
  • Certificate of Origin
  • Customs Declaration
  • Phytosanitary Certificate (for applicable products)
  • Dangerous Goods Declaration (IMDG Code)
  • Insurance Certificate

Common Client Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not accounting for demurrage/detention costs when planning delivery logistics - idle containers generate daily charges
  • Booking without confirming consignee readiness for customs clearance - delays at destination accumulate charges
  • Choosing lowest ocean rate without considering transit time and reliability - the cheapest route that misses your deadline isn't cheapest
  • Assuming carrier liability covers cargo value - it covers a small fraction; insurance is essential for real protection
  • Starting customs preparation after vessel arrival rather than before - clearance should complete as container arrives

Checklist: What You Need to Provide

  • 1
    Cargo description with HS codes
  • 2
    Total volume (CBM) and weight (kg)
  • 3
    Number and type of packages
  • 4
    Origin (pickup address or FOB port)
  • 5
    Destination (delivery address or CIF port)
  • 6
    Container type requirement (standard, HC, reefer, etc.)
  • 7
    Preferred sailing date or required arrival
  • 8
    Incoterm for the transaction
  • 9
    Any special cargo requirements (temperature, ADR/IMDG)

FAQ

How long does shipping from China to Europe take?

Ocean transit is typically 60-90 days depending on routing and current market conditions. Add 3-5 days for port handling and customs at each end - we provide customs brokerage. Total door-to-door is typically 70-100 days in current market. LCL adds time for consolidation handling.

FCL or LCL - which should I choose?

FCL is more cost-effective with 15+ CBM of cargo. Below that, LCL usually costs less even with handling fees. FCL also offers faster transit, more control, and no cargo mixing. We can compare options for your specific shipment.

What are demurrage and detention charges?

Demurrage is charged for keeping containers at port beyond free time (typically 5-7 days). Detention is charged for keeping containers at your premises beyond allowed time. Both can add significant costs - proper planning prevents these.

Is cargo insurance included?

Basic carrier liability is included but covers only a small fraction of cargo value (~€2/kg). We strongly recommend full cargo insurance, which we can arrange at competitive rates.

What container types are available?

We offer 20' standard (~33 CBM), 40' standard (~67 CBM), 40' High Cube (~76 CBM), reefer (-30°C to +30°C), Open Top, and Flat Rack containers. Type is selected based on cargo characteristics.

Full-Service Solutions

End-to-End Trade & Logistics Solutions

From initial sourcing to final delivery - we manage the complete supply chain so you can focus on growing your business.

Our Service Capabilities

Comprehensive trade and logistics support

Trade Flow Architecture

Deal structuring and transaction planning

Logistics Management

Sea, air, road, and rail freight coordination

Product Sourcing

Supplier identification and market research

Purchasing Coordination

Supplier negotiations and order management

Pre-shipment Inspections

Quality control and cargo verification

Document Management

Preparation, verification, and compliance review

Export Formalities

Licensing, permits, and regulatory compliance

Customs Clearance

Import/export procedures and duty optimization

Logistics Solutions

Route planning and carrier selection

Global Operational Reach

Trusted partners in key markets worldwide

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Europe

EU member states and UK

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China

Mainland and Hong Kong

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UAE

Dubai and free trade zones

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Turkey

Manufacturing and transit hub

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Other Regions

Global partner network

Extensive Partner Network

We work through verified local agents and partners to manage logistics, payments, and regulatory requirements - even in complex trade scenarios.

Logistics Consultant

Find the Solution That Fits Your Case

Describe your requirements - we will propose the optimal logistics and trade solution tailored to your specific needs.