If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already processed the idea that you’ll be shipping some items by sea. Maybe it’s as part of a large-scale international operation or maybe it’s just something you’re looking into after seeing your competitor ship their products in bulk by boat.
The point is, shipping by the ocean isn’t an option for everyone and there are certain steps that you need to take if you want to ensure that your items arrive with the least amount of damage and risk. Before diving in, keep in mind that not everyone has access to ports and other shipping services. We can all do our best to prepare our shipments, but that doesn’t mean every package is going to get where it needs to go without issue. Here are
The 5 Tips for Shipping by Ocean
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already processed the idea that you’ll be shipping some items by sea. Maybe it’s as part of a large-scale international operation or maybe it’s just something you’re looking into after seeing your competitor ship their products in bulk by boat.
The point is, shipping by the ocean isn’t an option for everyone and there are certain steps that you need to take if you want to ensure that your items arrive with the least amount of damage and risk. Before diving in, keep in mind that not everyone has access to ports and other shipping services.
We can all do our best to prepare our shipments, but that doesn’t mean every package is going to get where it needs to go without issue. Here are 5 steps to help make shipping by the ocean as safe as possible.
Research your shipping service provider
Before you jump straight into how you’re going to create your shipping labels and get your goods packed into boxes, there are a few things that you should do. First and foremost, figure out who’s going to be receiving your goods. If you know who needs the package, it makes things much easier for you. Next, you’ll want to research the shipping service provider that you’re going to use.
Not only do you want to find out which providers are currently the most popular in your area, but you also need to find a provider that has access to the ports that you need. It’s important to find a shipping company that has physical access to ports, as that’s where your goods will be unloaded onto boats. It may be possible for your provider to link up with a carrier that has connections in Europe or Asia, but this is rarely done.
If you can’t find a company with physical access, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to get your goods across the sea. It’s also important to note that even if you find a shipping service with good reviews, it could be a bad fit for your operation. The better you know your products, the better you’ll be able to choose a shipper that can handle everything you have to ship.
Use ocean carriers with good reputations
One of the most important steps in shipping by the ocean is finding a good freight forwarder or ocean carrier. These types of service providers are responsible for shipping your goods to the port and then transferring them to the boat that will actually deliver your products. If you use a carrier with a poor reputation, it’s likely that your goods will be damaged during transit.
You want to find a carrier that has a good track record, has access to the ports you need and that has a good relationship with the ocean freight forwarders that they’re working with. You’re looking to find a carrier that has good reviews and that has a good relationship with the freight forwarders that they’re shipping with.
There are a number of different freight forwarder rating systems out there, but we’d recommend checking out The Maritime Forum’s Shipper Rating System. This is an industry-wide rating that is based on detailed reviews from ocean carriers of different types, sizes, and experience levels.
The main thing that you want to look for in a freight forwarder is a high enough rating to ensure that your goods will get to the port and then be transferred safely to the boat that will actually deliver them.
Store your goods in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment
If you’re purchasing goods that are perishable or require specific temperatures or humidity during the transportation process, you’ll also want to consider storing your goods in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment prior to shipping. In order to keep your products safe and avoid damage, you’ll want to place them in a temperature-controlled environment and then seal them in a humidity-controlled environment.
This will keep your goods safe, and damage-free and reduce the risk that your goods will get mold or mildew while they’re in storage. You’ll also want to make sure that the space you’re using for storing your goods is clean and isn’t littered with old materials. If you aren’t sure what to use for storing your goods, you can always ask your freight forwarder for recommendations.
Pack and mark your shipments securely
When you’re shipping by sea, you’ll also want to make sure that you pack your goods securely. While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting your first shipment out the door, you need to remember that you’re doing this for a reason. You’re shipping your goods, which means that you want them to arrive safely. It’s important to remember that the less damage that occurs during shipping, the less expensive it will be.
You can keep damage to a minimum by carefully packing your goods. If you’re shipping goods that can be damaged, you’ll want to use boxes with crumple edges, crumple corners and that are strong enough to hold their shape during transit. You can also add a layer of foam between your goods and the outside of the box to prevent any breakage.
When it comes to marking your shipments, you’ll want to make sure that you’re using proper shipping labels. You can find a number of shipping label templates online for free, but you’ll want to make sure that your labels have clear instructions and that they’re easy to read.
Bottom line
Shipping by sea isn’t for everyone, but it does have its benefits. Because transportation by boat is often more dangerous than other methods of transport, you need to take more precautions to ensure that your goods arrive safely. The first tip is to research your shipping service provider and find one that has access to the ports you need and that has a good track record.
You’ll also want to make sure that you’re using a shipper that has good reviews and that has a good relationship with their freight forwarder partners. You’ll also want to make sure that you store your goods in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment prior to shipping and that you pack your shipments securely to reduce the risk of damage during transit.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure that you use shipping labels that have clear instructions and are easy to read.
