FCL — full container load
20ft, 40ft, 40ft high-cube, reefer, flat rack and open top. Box rates with the carrier named, not a blind all-in figure.
Ocean Freight — FCL & LCL from India
Container space on the trades Indian exporters and importers actually run, booked with named carriers and confirmed cut-off dates.
Overview
Ocean Freight with King Freight Maritime
Ocean freight carries the overwhelming majority of India’s trade by volume, and it is where a forwarder either saves you money or quietly costs you a great deal. King Freight Maritime books full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL) movements out of Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chennai, Cochin and the inland container depots that feed them.
We quote with the carrier named, the transit stated and the surcharges itemised. If a rate is subject to space or subject to equipment availability, we tell you that at the time of quoting rather than the day before your cut-off.
What is included
LCL — part container load
Weekly consolidations to the main Gulf, European and Far East hubs. Priced per CBM or per tonne, whichever is chargeable.
Documentation handled
Draft bill of lading confirmed with you before release. Shipping bill or bill of entry filed by our own clearance team.
Cut-off discipline
Gate-in and document cut-offs tracked backwards from the sailing so nothing is discovered late.
Destination agents
Vetted agents at destination who answer the phone, so your consignee is not left chasing a stranger.
Rate reviews
Quarterly reviews of your running lanes against the market, with a written recommendation.
Indicative lanes and transit times
| Lane | Mode | Indicative transit | Sailing frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nhava Sheva → Jebel Ali | FCL | 6–8 days | Weekly |
| Nhava Sheva → Rotterdam | FCL | 22–26 days | Weekly |
| Nhava Sheva → New York | FCL | 28–34 days | Weekly |
| Mundra → Hamburg | FCL | 21–25 days | Weekly |
| Chennai → Singapore | LCL | 7–9 days | Fortnightly |
| Chennai → Colombo | FCL | 3–5 days | Weekly |
Indicative port-to-port transits only. They exclude customs clearance, inland haulage and transhipment delays, and change with carrier schedules. Ask us for the current schedule on your lane.
Documents we will need
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Purchase order or letter of credit
- Certificate of origin where applicable
- IEC code and GST details
- Shipping bill (export) or bill of entry (import)
- MSDS for any regulated commodity
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL means you book a whole container and it moves sealed from origin to destination. LCL means your cargo shares a container with other shippers, consolidated at origin and deconsolidated at destination. LCL suits smaller volumes but adds handling and usually a few days of transit. As a rough rule, once you exceed roughly 13–15 CBM it is worth pricing a 20ft FCL alongside the LCL quote.
How far in advance should I book?
For standard lanes, seven to ten days before your intended gate-in is comfortable. During peak season, before Chinese New Year, or on lanes with tight equipment, two to three weeks is safer. Tell us the ready date as early as you have it, even if the volume is not final.
What is included in your ocean freight quote?
Every quote states the ocean freight, the origin charges, the destination charges you are liable for under the agreed Incoterm, and the validity period. Anything excluded — customs duty, demurrage, detention, inspection charges — is listed as excluded rather than left unmentioned.
Who pays demurrage and detention?
Demurrage accrues when the container sits at the port beyond free time; detention accrues when you hold the container outside the port beyond free time. Both are billed by the carrier to the party responsible for the delay. We tell you your free days at booking and warn you before they run out.
Can you handle reefer or dangerous goods?
Yes. Reefer cargo needs the set temperature, ventilation and humidity confirmed in writing before booking. Dangerous goods need the MSDS, UN number, class and packing group, and must be booked further in advance because carriers cap DG allocation per sailing.
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Ready to move your next shipment?
Send us the lane and the commodity. We will come back with a rate, a cut-off date and the documents you need — within one working day.