Ocean freight shipping to Australia

Australia’s economic development is the envy of most Western countries, with a GDP per capita exceeding that of the USA, France, United Kingdom and Germany, with a lower cost of living. The ocean freight to Australia allows accessing a market with high purchasing power, whose annual imports exceed 250 billion dollars including machinery, transport, IT and telecommunications equipment and petroleum products.

Far from being a real problem, the recent recession contributed to boost the negotiation of many free trade agreements, especially with Asian countries. Ocean freight to Australia is therefore a priority alternative for anybody willing to diversify their business in a consolidated market which is constantly developing.

FCL or LCL for your ocean freight to Australia

We suggest choosing carefully between a Full Container Load (FCL) or a Less than a Container Load (LCL) - Groupage, so you can take advantage of your ocean freight to Australia. The last option -LCL or Groupage- allows sharing a container with the cargo of other traders. You pay only for the space used by your cargo, with great savings on your shipping costs.

FCL is for exporters whose cargo volume is 10 or 21 standard American pallets (each standard American pallet measures 39.37 in. wide and 47.24 in. long). Using a 20-foot or a 40-foot standard container will allow you to transport 10 or 21 American pallets respectively when sending an FCL shipment to Australia which is especially cost-effective. Besides, if for any reason you don’t want your goods to be exposed to the products belonging to other traders, FCL is your right choice. Also, consider that FCL shipping is a profitable solution when you are able to fill more than half of a container.

Ocean freight ports in Australia

Despite the financial crisis, the volume of Australian imports has grown by 5.5% over the past three years, which supposed recognition for the seaports in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Fremantle, Hobart and Perth. These seaports are able to handle more than 2 million TEUs annually because of the foreign trade.

Port of Sydney

The Port of Sydney is considered one of the most beautiful commercial ports in the world, and combines its cargo port services with 2 passenger terminals.

A wide range of cargo is handled in its many berths in Glebe Island and White Bay, including dry and liquid bulk, as well as general cargo, with many storage silos. These two areas cover 39.7 hectares and have a favorable location for cargo transportation into the city area.

It also has the Gore Bay terminal of the petroleum company Shell, focused on the handling of petroleum products.

Ship container to Sydney

Port of Melbourne

The Port of Melbourne is, undoubtedly, the most important maritime hub in Australia, handling 2.5 million containers per year and representing 36% of all the commercial trade of Australia. Its quay length is 7000 meters and has 34 berths; each day 10,000 cars and other cargo are loaded and unloaded in its facilities. In the last decade, the port received an investment on infrastructure valued at 1000 million dollars.

Ship container to Melbourne

Our ocean freight services to Australia

With iContainers, you can get quick and affordable ocean freight services to Australia as we operate from many different ports located all over the world including those in:

  • USA
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Germany
  • Belgium
  • Mexico
  • Dominican Republic
  • China
  • Taiwan
  • UAE

What our ocean freight rates to Australia include

For more information on our ocean freight services, consult our ship container rates for your ocean freight to Australia here.

Importing From Asia In 2022

Discover how to import or export from/to China, India or Vietnam and avoid delays on your cargo. Includes Incoterms and documents.

asia eBook
Klaus Lydsal

"Customs duties play an important role in your international shipment. How they're determined and calculated varies from country to country"

Klaus Lydsal, vice president of operations at iContainers