Ocean Shipping
From single pallets to full container loads, MoveHaul manages sea freight across every major trade lane. Our carrier relationships, port expertise, and transparent pricing ensure your goods move efficiently by ocean — without surprises.
Get a Sea Freight QuoteFull Container Load (FCL) Shipping
When your cargo volumes justify a dedicated container, FCL shipping offers the most secure and cost-effective ocean freight solution. MoveHaul books 20-foot, 40-foot, 40-foot high-cube, open-top, flat-rack, and refrigerated containers across all Australian ports including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, and Adelaide.
We negotiate volume-based contract rates with major shipping lines, passing competitive pricing directly to our clients. Our operations team manages container positioning, loading supervision, vessel booking confirmations, and discharge coordination at destination — so you deal with a single point of contact throughout.
For regular shippers, we offer standing booking arrangements that guarantee space allocation and rate stability, even during peak-season capacity crunches.
- 20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC, open-top, flat-rack, and reefer containers
- Contract rates with Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO, ONE, and Hapag-Lloyd
- Vessel tracking and proactive ETA updates
- Fumigation, lashing, and container inspection services
- Inland haulage to and from port included on request
Less-Than-Container Load (LCL) Consolidation
Not every shipment fills a full container. MoveHaul's LCL consolidation service allows you to ship smaller volumes — from a single pallet upward — by sharing container space with other cargo bound for the same destination. You pay only for the space you use.
We operate regular weekly consolidation services to key destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Pacific. Cargo is received at our container freight station, professionally packed and secured within the container, and deconsolidated at the destination warehouse for collection or onward delivery.
LCL is ideal for importers managing smaller, more frequent orders, businesses testing new markets, or anyone who needs ocean freight without committing to a full container.
Ocean Shipping FAQs
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire container exclusively for your cargo. LCL (Less-Than-Container Load) means your goods share container space with other shippers' cargo. FCL is typically more cost-effective when you have enough volume to fill at least half a container, while LCL is better suited for smaller shipments where you only pay for the cubic metres you occupy. FCL also offers faster transit times since there is no consolidation or deconsolidation handling at either end.
How long does ocean freight take from Australia?
Transit times vary significantly by destination. As a guide: Southeast Asia is typically 7 to 14 days, China and Japan 12 to 18 days, Europe 28 to 35 days, the United States West Coast 18 to 25 days, and New Zealand 5 to 7 days. These are port-to-port estimates and do not include customs clearance or inland transport at either end. MoveHaul provides specific sailing schedules and ETAs for every booking so you can plan your supply chain accurately.
Can you ship refrigerated goods by sea?
Yes. We book reefer (refrigerated) containers that maintain precise temperature control throughout the voyage, ranging from -25 degrees Celsius to +25 degrees Celsius. This is essential for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and certain industrial products. Our team manages pre-trip inspections, temperature set-point programming, genset arrangements where needed, and monitoring throughout transit. We also coordinate with customs and biosecurity to ensure compliant clearance at destination.
What charges should I expect beyond the base ocean freight rate?
Ocean freight involves several ancillary charges. Common ones include terminal handling charges (THC) at origin and destination ports, documentation fees, bunker adjustment factor (BAF), container cleaning fees, and any applicable peak-season surcharges. For LCL shipments, you may also incur container freight station (CFS) charges for consolidation and deconsolidation. MoveHaul provides fully itemised quotes so you understand every cost component before committing to a booking.
Do you handle cargo insurance for ocean shipments?
We strongly recommend marine cargo insurance for all ocean shipments, and we can arrange cover through our insurance partners. Standard carrier liability under the Hague-Visby Rules is limited to approximately AUD $2 per kilogram, which is rarely sufficient to cover the commercial value of goods. Our marine insurance options include Institute Cargo Clauses A (all-risks), B, and C, providing cover from warehouse to warehouse. We assist with claims processing should any loss or damage occur during transit.
Ship Smarter by Sea
Whether it is a single pallet or twenty containers, we will find the best ocean freight solution for your cargo.
Request a Sea Freight Quote