In order to calculate the sea freight in international freight transport, it is necessary to know some concepts that influence the quotation of these shipments, among them the difference between FCL and LCL.

The FCL (Full Container Load)

Ocean shipment in a full container for a single shipper, without sharing space with other cargo. Opting for an FCL shipment is more economical when ocean freight exceeds 10 standard pallets or 13m3 (cubic meters).

LCL (Less than Container Load)

Ocean groupage shipment in which cargoes from different shippers share space in the same container. Opting for an LCL shipment pays off if you are shipping up to 12-13 m3 of ocean freight.

Ocean Freight Calculation Factors – FCL and LCL Costing

Ocean freight is the price of the international shipping service. The calculation of the sea freight established by the shipping companies or their agents depends on numerous variables, such as the type of cargo, the volume and weight of the cargo, type of transport, which are the ones that will define the final price of each shipment.

An important concept in defining ocean freight is the Stowage Factor (SF):

FE = Volume / Weight

FE = M3 / TM

Cost per Container

Cost price per unit of containers to be shipped: the greater the number of containers, the higher the ocean freight cost.

Cost per TEU

TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit)

1 20′ container = 1 TEU

1 40′ container = 2 TEU

TYPES OF MARITIME CONTAINERS Click here

Cost per B/L or Shipment

The cost per B/L (Bill of Lading) or Shipment refers to the fact that this price factor is applied only once for a particular ocean shipment for which documentation is issued evidencing ownership of the shipment in question.

Cost per W /V (Weight / Volume) or per Ton / m3

Cost of ocean freight in relation to weight or volume, the former expressed in tons and the latter in cubic meters.