Cost-efficient sea freight forwarding from trusted shipping experts
Want a team on board with you who know the ocean and sea freight industry inside out, with the connections needed to get the most cost-effective access to regular, reliable sailings? With a rich shipping heritage, we are one of the best-connected, experienced and trusted Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC).
International import and export freight forwarding of sea freight is only part of what we do. Our in-house sea freight specialist departments can also work together to design multi-modal solutions and improve all elements of your supply chain.
Talk to us more about sea freight services
60,000+
TEU
3000
Customers
10m+
Tonnes of dry bulk cargo
42
Countries
“We take the time to understand our clients and their evolving requirements to provide adaptable sea freight services and solutions in an ever more complex Industry. We take great pride in adding value and developing long-term partnerships.”
Pete Fitzgerald
Head of Freight Forwarding (North)
Sea freight services
FCL
- 20ft, 40ft, 45ft, containers plus flat rack and open top
- Far East, Europe, Mediterranean, Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, East/West/South Africa, Mediterranean, Australasia, North & South America
LCL
- Don’t have a full container? No need to hold up your schedule. As part of our sea freight solutions, we can manage LCL cargo through shipping lines and in-house consolidation services.
- Turkey, China, South East Asia, India, Australia, USA
- Turkey Consolidation Specialists
Reefer
- For temperature-controlled or perishable goods
- Maintain temperatures between -60 and 30 degrees
- 20ft, 40ft, 45ft, containers
EU Short Sea Specialists
- Specialists in EU Short Sea FCL, LCL, Reefer, Ro-Ro and Dry Bulk
Ro-Ro
- Plant, construction, machinery, agricultural, passenger or project cargo.
- MACS liner agency service to South Africa including Durban, Maputo and Walvis Bay.
Dry Bulk
- Worldwide destinations
- Specialist cargo knowledge of coal, biomass, aggregates
- Wide range of vessel types including Capesize, Panamax and Handymax
Be efficient with your cargo
Looking for a cost-effective way to move your goods internationally? Sea freight is the world’s most efficient method, but don’t just settle for what you can find. Our experts will help you to strategically manage your sea freight and take advantage of the most efficient, reliable, competitively priced solutions for your needs.
Partner with the experts
We’ve been involved in container shipping since the first container ports opened in the 1960s, establishing the considerable sea transport knowledge and relationships needed to navigate a complex industry. Our personal account managers pride themselves on offering trustworthy and valuable advice, whatever your needs.
Access our worldwide network
Need a well-connected partner? With connections in 42 countries around the world, offering weekly schedules sailings for international imports and exports, the size of our network means that we are the perfect partner for growing SMEs or large companies looking to expand or improve their sea-freight usage.
Build a better supply chain
Looking to increase scale and efficiency in your supply chain? Our international, multi-disciplinary sea freight team can help your logistics solutions grow with your business, offering a complete range of in-house supply chain specialisms, including multi-modal logistics, customs, inspections, sourcing, insurance, warehousing and distribution.
Get real-time visibility
Want to book your shipments with the click of a button and know what’s going on with them right now? Our sea freight booking and tracking technology will help you to quickly and easily make decisions about your shipments. We can also build bespoke dashboards, delivering you the knowledge you need to make strategic sea freight decisions.
Create a brighter future
Looking to build a more environmentally friendly logistics solution? Swapping other methods for sea freight can be a key part of reducing your carbon footprint. We can provide carbon reporting and offsetting options, and at an exciting time for sustainable transport, we can keep you in touch with new environmental efficiencies as they become available.
“We have used the services of the John Good Logistics team for a number of years and they have always gone above and beyond to meet our requirements. With a proactive can do attitude they have supported us through the Brexit process and ensured we have met our customer needs.”
Kiddylicious
“We have been partnering with John Good Logistics for over 10 years. They have always provided a proactive and consultative approach to the management of our supply chain; we would certainly recommend their services.”
First Line
“We have worked with John Good Logistics since we began trading in the UK, their service as been reliable throughout, and the staff always happy to help”
Chris Cordingley
Giti Tyres
“The professionalism of the team at John Good Logistics has been displayed at every opportunity presented.”
Perkins
“Their knowledge, skill and commitment, plus their enthusiastic attention to our business needs is always exceptional and considering how complex and demanding we are as a business, with our variety of different products, they do a thoroughly professional job for us.”
Chris Thompson
Head of Procurement – Indirect Purchases, Marshalls Plc
“What we love about Good Logistics is the personal touch they provide – it is like they are part of our team.”
Other logistics services you may be interested in
We also offer other logistics solutions designed to help you make moving your goods from Point A to Point B a breeze.
Road freight
Projects
Customs
Consolidation
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As we begin the 2nd half of 2023 the landscape for international trade remains as in most industries one of caution due to global inflationary pressures...
Q2 Customs & Legislation Update
HMRC has released a further update to the planned migration phases to CDS for exports. The September 2023 date they have previously set is still in place, but...
Frequently asked questions
Here is some additional information about our sea freight services you might find useful!
What type of shipping container should I use?
The type of container you need will depend on the goods you need to transport. Here is a list of the most common sea freight containers and what they are used for.
Standard Container
A standard sea freight container is a standardised metal box typically measuring either 20ft or 40ft in length for shipping cargo. Containers are designed to be moved easily between modes of transportation. Most commonly a dry storage, general-purpose container, although other types of container are available including:
Dress Hanger Container
Sea freight container with the facility to transport clothing items without folding. They are usually used for luxury items such as evening and bridal wear.
Flat Racks Container
Sea freight container without the two side walls or a roof. Available with both fixed and collapsible end walls. They are used for oversized cargo.
Flexi Tank Container
Sea freight container with a flexible tank inside. It is used to transport non-hazardous liquid. It can carry between 10,000 and 24,000 litres, depending on the chosen container size.
High Cube (HC or HQ)
Sea freight container is taller than the standard 8ft 6in (102 inches). The usual height is 9ft 6in.
Insulated Container
Sea freight containers used to maintain the temperature of the goods inside. Dry ice or bubble wrap can be used to achieve the required effect. Often used by food, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries where maintaining the correct temperature of a shipment is essential.
Open Top Container
Sea freight container that opens from the top to simplify loading and unloading of heavy, bulky, tall or awkward goods. Has removable tarpaulin and bows for a roof and allow access for a crab or crane.
Reefer Container
Sea freight container that is refrigerated to keep goods at a constant temperature lower than 15 degrees. Typically used to transport food and perishable items.
Ventilated Container
Sea freight containers used to transport items that need to be protected from condensation. Small ventilation systems in the walls prevent a build-up of moisture without compromising the available space inside.
How many pallets can you fit in a shipping container?
As pallets used in sea freight differ in size, the number of pallets that will fit in a shipping container will depend on pallet and container size. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) recognises three popular pallet sizes for efficient shipping in 20ft and 40ft containers:
Standard/EUR2/ISO2
- Footprint (W x L): 1200 x 1000mm (47.24 x 39.37in)
- Number of pallets in a 20ft container: 10
- Number of pallets in a 40ft container: 20-21
Commonly used in Europe and Asia, official EURO pallets are strictly sanctioned by the European Pallet Association (EPAL).
North American Standard/GMA
- Footprint (W x L): 1016 x 1219mm (40 x 48in)
- Number of pallets in a 20ft container: 10
- Number of pallets in a 40ft container: 20
The GMA pallet is similar in size to the official EURO pallets but a fraction larger. It is the most popular pallet size in North America and typically used to transport grocery items and other types of goods. It is approved by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
EUR/EUR1/ISO1|
- Footprint (W x L): 800 x 1200mm (31.5 x 39.37in)
- Number of pallets in a 20ft container: 11
- Number of pallets in a 40ft container: 23-24
An advantage of this pallet size is that it can fit through a standard exterior door. However, with a15.2% wastage, it’s the least efficient size of the six ISO-approved pallets when fitted in a 40ft ISO container.
When is the next available space and how stable are your rates?
We utilise a two-tier selling system as part of our commitment to delivering quality sea freight solutions. We work with our distribution partners to ensure the stability of our sea freight rates and the continuous availability of space for new and existing clients.
Which is more expensive to ship, FLC or LCL?
LCL (Less than Container Load) usually costs more to ship per unit of sea freight than FCL (Full Container Load). However, it is the more cost-effective option when transporting smaller shipments
Do you provide market commentary?
We know how important it is for small and large business owners to stay informed, especially during these uncertain times. This is why we provide our sea freight clients with regular updates regarding the main import and export market to keep them updated regarding essential global and industry news.
How do you handle the customs clearance process?
As sea freight forwarders committed to excellence, we have highly experienced AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) accredited staff who manage export and import customs formalities, including NES customs entry, Intrastat, and CFSP Messaging at all main UK ports on our clients’ behalf. Our team can also provide you with timely advice regarding importation, taxation, clearance procedures, and other vital sea freight matters to ensure that your goods will clear customs in the fastest and most efficient way possible.
How do I track my shipment?
You can monitor your shipment through our integrated sea freight tracking system. We can offer you 24/7 access to your cargo, including tracking information, invoices, and custom clearance documents, amongst others, so you’ll know exactly where it is.
Our sea freight tracking system automatically uploads your data on the web. You can monitor your shipments, documents, orders, and others without having to enter the same information twice.