Ocean freight services cover the international transportation of cargo by sea — including full container load (FCL), less than container load (LCL), break bulk, out-of-gauge (OOG), and ISO tank shipments. A full-service ocean freight provider manages carrier booking, documentation, customs coordination, and inland transportation — connecting shippers to global markets through a single point of contact rather than a chain of disconnected vendors.
Most companies moving international freight end up managing more relationships than they should. A freight forwarder for the ocean leg. A separate broker for the inland drayage. A compliance consultant for the hazmat documentation. A project cargo specialist for the oversized equipment. Every handoff is a point of failure, and every vendor thinks someone else owns the problem when something goes wrong.
Total Connection doesn't work that way. We handle the full journey — ocean booking, inland coordination, documentation, and specialized cargo management — under one roof, through one account manager who owns your freight from first call to final delivery.
We're a licensed NVOCC and freight forwarder with 25+ years of ocean freight relationships worldwide. We contract directly with major shipping lines across all trade lanes — North America to Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Whatever your cargo type and wherever it's going, we have the carrier relationships and the operational expertise to move it.
Our ocean freight services
Full container load (FCL)
Your cargo. Your container. Direct from origin port to destination port with no sharing, no intermediate stops, and faster transit times. The right choice for large volumes, high-value cargo, and shipments where dedicated space and minimal handling are priorities.
Less than container load (LCL)
When your shipment doesn't fill a full container, LCL consolidation lets you share space with other shippers and pay only for what you use. Our global consolidation network covers all major trade lanes with reliable sailing schedules and competitive rates.
Chemical ocean freight & ISO tank shipping
Specialized ocean freight for liquid chemicals, hazardous materials, and bulk liquid products in ISO tank containers. Full IMDG Code compliance, hazmat documentation management, and carrier vetting for chemical-grade ocean freight.
Break bulk & OOG ocean cargo
For cargo that can't be containerized — heavy machinery, industrial equipment, oversized structures, and out-of-gauge project freight. We source specialized vessel space, flat rack containers, RoRo, and LoLo solutions for non-standard cargo on any trade lane.
NVOCC services & freight forwarding
As a licensed NVOCC we contract directly with ocean carriers to secure competitive rates and reliable capacity for our shippers — without the markup layers of a standard freight forwarder working through an intermediary. Full documentation, bill of lading issuance, and carrier coordination managed in-house.
Who we move ocean freight for
Chemical companies and distributors
Importing raw materials or exporting finished chemical products internationally. Requires IMDG-compliant hazmat ocean freight, ISO tank expertise, and a provider who understands chemical cargo — not just containerized freight.
Industrial manufacturers and project cargo shippers
Moving heavy machinery, plant components, oil and gas equipment, and other industrial freight that requires specialized vessel arrangements, engineering input, and careful port coordination. Our project cargo team handles the full scope.
General cargo importers and exporters
Businesses moving standard containerized freight internationally who need a reliable, responsive freight forwarding partner with competitive rates and genuine service — not a faceless portal and a tracking number.
Why Total Connection for ocean freight
25+ years of ocean carrier relationships
We've spent over two decades building direct relationships with major shipping lines. Those relationships translate into competitive rates, reliable capacity, and priority access when markets tighten — advantages that shippers working with newer or smaller forwarders simply don't have.
Chemical and hazmat ocean freight expertise
Most freight forwarders can book a container. Far fewer can manage the IMDG compliance, ISO tank logistics, and hazardous material documentation that chemical ocean freight requires. We handle it in-house — not as a special case, but as a core capability.
Project cargo on the water
Our project cargo team has executed complex ocean freight moves including full drilling rig mobilizations, heavy industrial equipment exports, and out-of-gauge cargo on specialized vessels. This is not a service we subcontract — we manage it directly.
All major trade lanes
North America to and from Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. We have active carrier relationships and operational coverage across every major international trade lane — so you work with one provider regardless of where your freight needs to go.
One contact, door to door
From inland pickup at origin through ocean transit to final delivery at destination, one Total Connection account manager coordinates every piece. No handoffs. No finger pointing. One person who owns the outcome.
Frequently asked questions
What is ocean freight and how does it work?
Ocean freight is the international transportation of cargo by sea using container ships, bulk carriers, or specialized vessels. A shipper works with a freight forwarder or NVOCC to book space on a vessel, prepare documentation, coordinate port handling, and arrange inland transportation at origin and destination. Full container load (FCL) shipments occupy a dedicated container. Less than container load (LCL) shipments share container space with other cargo. Specialized cargo types including break bulk, OOG, and ISO tank shipments require different vessel arrangements and handling procedures.
What is an NVOCC and how is it different from a freight forwarder?
An NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) is a licensed carrier that issues its own bills of lading and contracts directly with ocean carriers for space. A freight forwarder arranges transportation on behalf of shippers but typically works through an NVOCC or carrier rather than contracting directly. Total Connection operates as both — we issue our own bills of lading as a licensed NVOCC and provide full freight forwarding services including documentation, inland logistics, and end-to-end shipment management.
How long does ocean freight take?
Transit times vary by trade lane and service type. Trans-Pacific lanes (US to/from Asia) typically range from 14 to 30 days depending on routing and service level. Trans-Atlantic lanes (US to/from Europe) range from 10 to 20 days. Latin American lanes are typically shorter at 5 to 15 days. Middle East and African lanes vary more widely based on specific origin and destination ports. Total Connection provides estimated transit times at the time of booking based on your specific lane and sailing schedule.
What documents are required for ocean freight shipments?
Standard ocean freight documentation includes a bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin. Hazardous materials require an IMDG-compliant dangerous goods declaration. Some trade lanes and commodities require additional documents including phytosanitary certificates, fumigation certificates, inspection certificates, and letters of credit. Total Connection manages documentation preparation and review for every shipment.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL ocean freight?
FCL (Full Container Load) means your cargo occupies an entire container — a 20-foot or 40-foot standard, high cube, or specialized unit. You get dedicated space, faster transit with no consolidation stops, and reduced handling risk. LCL (Less than Container Load) combines your cargo with other shippers' freight in a shared container. You pay for the cubic meters or weight your cargo occupies rather than the full container. FCL is generally preferable for shipments over approximately 15 cubic meters or when dedicated space, security, or transit time are priorities.
Can you handle ocean freight for hazardous materials?
Yes — and this is one of our core capabilities. We manage IMDG Code compliance for dangerous goods ocean freight including proper classification, packing group determination, dangerous goods declaration preparation, carrier approval for hazardous cargo, and port-specific hazmat handling requirements. Not all freight forwarders have genuine hazmat ocean freight expertise — ours is built from 30 years of chemical logistics experience applied to the international ocean context.
Do you handle door-to-door international ocean freight?
Yes. Total Connection manages the complete door-to-door journey — inland pickup at origin, export documentation, port handling, ocean transit, destination port coordination, and inland delivery to the final destination. You work with one account manager throughout. No managing separate providers for each leg.
