# Sea freight

*Last updated: 2026-06-16*

> Unlike air or road transport, sea freight moves goods in large volumes at comparatively low cost – accepting longer transit times as the trade-off.

Unlike air or road transport, sea freight moves goods in large volumes at comparatively low cost – accepting longer transit times as the trade-off. Shipping lines and NVOCCs (Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers) operate container vessels and multipurpose ships on intercontinental liner routes; shippers choose between full container loads (FCL, in 20- or 40-foot containers) and less-than-container-load (LCL) consolidations, where cargo from multiple consignors shares a single box. The central transport document is the Bill of Lading (BoL), which simultaneously serves as receipt, contract of carriage, and title to the goods; electronic Bills of Lading are becoming increasingly common. Sea freight suits non-perishable bulk and general cargo and offers a lower carbon footprint per tonne-kilometre than other modes. It should not be confused with inland waterway transport, which operates on rivers and canals.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_freight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_freight)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Sea freight |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 131 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-16 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_freight |

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