FCL Container Shipping
For full container load (FCL) we plan equipment tailored to your cargo with 20', 40', 40' HC, open top, flat rack and reefer containers. Thanks to contracted carrier lines, Özd Global offers competitive rates and regular sailings to Far East, American, African and European ports.
LCL Groupage Sea Freight
If you do not have enough volume to fill a container, LCL sea freight lets you pay only for the cubic meters you occupy. Your cargo is safely consolidated in our logistics centers, deconsolidated at the destination port and, if requested, delivered to your door.
Port Operations and Door-to-Door Sea Logistics
Sea freight is more than loading a vessel. Özd Global coordinates the whole process: bill of lading issuance, port handling, container tracking, demurrage and detention management, destination customs clearance and inland haulage. Your ocean transportation becomes seamless and predictable.
Sea freight rates and surcharges
Container shipping rates vary with the weekly tariffs announced by carriers, the container type, the season and equipment availability. In addition to the ocean freight, terminal handling charges (THC), documentation fees, bunker adjustment factor (BAF), emergency surcharges and local charges at the destination port must be taken into account. Özd Global presents all these items in a single all-in quote and keeps demurrage and detention risks under control with free-time tracking. For LCL cargo the price is calculated per cubic meter or ton, whichever is greater.
Transit times and vessel schedules
From Turkish ports we plan average transit times of 10-15 days to Northern Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp), 5-10 days to Mediterranean ports, 25-35 days to the Far East (Shanghai, Ningbo, Busan), 20-30 days to the US East Coast, 35-45 days to the West Coast and 15-25 days to the Gulf and India. Transshipment services may take longer; Özd Global compares direct and transshipment options by time and cost. After booking, the vessel name, cargo cut-off and estimated time of arrival (ETA) are shared with you.
Container types and choosing the right equipment
A 20' standard container, with about 28 t and 33 m³ capacity, suits heavy and dense cargo; 40' standard and 40' high cube containers, with 67-76 m³, suit light and voluminous cargo. Temperature-controlled food and pharmaceuticals travel in reefer containers; machinery, boats and over-height cargo in open top or flat rack containers. Özd Global recommends the most economical container type for the dimensions, weight and characteristics of your cargo and shares the pallet layout and lashing plan with you.
FCL vs. LCL container shipping
| Criteria | Full Container (FCL) | Less than Container (LCL) |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable volume | 15 m³ and above | 1 – 15 m³ |
| Pricing | Fixed per container | Per m³ or ton |
| Transit time | Shorter; direct service | 3-7 days longer due to consolidation |
| Handling and damage risk | Low; container sealed | Medium; deconsolidation at warehouse |
| Flexibility | Container comes to your address | Cargo delivered to logistics center |
| Ideal for | Bulky, sensitive, regular cargo | Small and infrequent shipments |
How It Works
What happens step by step in the Sea Freight process?
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1
Booking and equipment
The right container type and carrier line are selected; the vessel schedule and estimated arrival are shared.
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2
Container stuffing
An empty container is sent to your address or the cargo is consolidated at our logistics center; the stowage plan and lashing are checked.
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3
Port and export formalities
The container is moved to the port, the export declaration and bill of lading are issued and loading on the vessel is tracked.
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4
Arrival and delivery
Customs clearance and inland haulage are organized at the destination port and the container is delivered to the consignee's warehouse.
Why Özd Global?
Competitive rates
Advantageous prices on Far East, American and European lines thanks to contracted carriers and high volume.
Departures from all ports
Regular sailings from the Ambarlı, Kocaeli (Evyap, Yılport, Derince), Gemlik, Izmir and Mersin ports.
Demurrage control
Free-time tracking and proactive planning minimize demurrage and detention costs.
Special equipment
Reefer, open top, flat rack and high cube containers for non-standard cargo.
Main Routes and Destinations
- Türkiye – China container shipping (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen)
- Türkiye – USA sea freight (New York, Houston, Los Angeles)
- Türkiye – Northern Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp)
- Türkiye – United Kingdom sea freight
- Türkiye – North Africa (Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis)
- Türkiye – India and Pakistan containers
- Türkiye – Gulf countries (Jebel Ali, Dammam)
- Türkiye – South America sea freight
Required Documents
Documents that should be ready before dispatch; our team guides you on anything missing.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading (B/L) instructions
- Certificate of origin
- Export declaration (issued by Özd Global)
- VGM (verified gross mass) declaration
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does sea freight take?
Transit time depends on the route: Türkiye - Northern Europe 10-15 days, Türkiye - Far East 25-35 days, Türkiye - US East Coast 20-30 days. Özd Global shares the vessel schedule and estimated arrival at booking.
Should I choose FCL or LCL?
If your cargo exceeds about 15 cubic meters or contains sensitive goods, FCL is usually more advantageous. For smaller volumes LCL lowers the cost. Özd Global provides comparative quotes for both options.
Which documents are needed for sea transportation?
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (B/L), certificate of origin and product-specific certificates where required. Özd Global guides you through document preparation and completes the process with customs clearance.
What is demurrage in container shipping?
Demurrage is the fee charged when a container stays at the port beyond the free time granted by the carrier. Özd Global avoids this cost by planning customs and inland haulage in advance.
Do you offer cold-chain shipping with reefer containers?
Yes. We provide sea freight in temperature-controlled reefer containers for food, pharmaceutical and chemical products and supply temperature records for the whole voyage.
How do I track my container?
After booking, the container number and carrier tracking link are shared; Özd Global also keeps you regularly informed about vessel movements and arrival estimates.
