Introduction to Sea Freight Module

Overview

The Sea Freight module in CargoNext provides comprehensive ocean freight forwarding capabilities, enabling you to manage the complete lifecycle of sea freight shipments from booking to delivery. This module is designed for freight forwarders, shipping agents, and logistics companies that handle ocean cargo operations.

Key Features

Complete Shipment Management

Manage the entire sea freight lifecycle from booking to delivery
Track shipments through multiple stages with status management
Support for both import and export operations
Handle direct shipments and consolidated cargo

Container Management

Track containers and manage container types
Monitor container movements and assignments
Calculate TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity
Support for various container types (20ft, 40ft, 45ft, etc.)

Master Bill and House Bill Management

Create and manage Master Bills of Lading (MBL)
Link multiple House Bills to a Master Bill
Track consolidation operations
Manage vessel and voyage information

Port and Route Management

Manage origin and destination ports using UNLOCO codes
Track vessel schedules and ETD/ETA dates
Handle port-to-port movements
Support for multi-port routing

Document Management

Handle bills of lading, shipping instructions, and all sea freight documentation
Manage commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates
Track document status and requirements

Rate and Charge Management

Configure and manage sea freight rates
Handle surcharges and additional charges
Link to Pricing Center for automated rate calculation
Support for multiple charge types and billing methods

Integration Capabilities

Seamless integration with customs declarations
Connect sea freight with inland transport operations
Link to warehousing for container yard operations
Integration with sustainability tracking for carbon footprint calculation

Consolidation Management

Manage consolidation operations
Track multiple shipments in a single consolidation
Calculate consolidation ratios and costs
Handle consolidation routing and charges

Module Structure

The Sea Freight module consists of the following main components:

Transaction Documents

Sea Shipment: Main document for managing individual sea freight shipments
Sea Freight Consolidation: Document for managing consolidated cargo operations
Master Bill: Master Bill of Lading management

Master Data

Shipping Line: Shipping line information and configurations
Container Yard: Container yard locations and details
Cargo Terminal Operator: Terminal operator information
Other Service: Additional services offered in sea freight operations

Settings

Sea Freight Settings: Module-level configuration and defaults

Child Tables

Sea Freight Containers: Container details for shipments
Sea Freight Packages: Package and cargo details
Sea Freight Services: Additional services for shipments
Sea Freight Charges: Charges and fees for shipments

Workflow

A typical sea freight shipment workflow in CargoNext follows these steps:

Setup: Configure master data including shipping lines, ports, and container yards
Booking: Create a Sea Shipment document with shipper, consignee, and route details
Container Assignment: Assign containers and enter container details
Package Details: Enter package information, weights, and volumes
Master Bill Linking: Link to Master Bill if part of consolidation
Services: Add additional services if required
Charges: Configure charges and link to Pricing Center for rate calculation
Documentation: Generate and manage shipping documents
Tracking: Monitor shipment status and milestones
Delivery: Complete delivery and update final status

Benefits

Centralized Management: All sea freight operations in one platform
Real-Time Tracking: Monitor shipments and containers in real-time
Automated Calculations: Automatic calculation of charges, TEUs, and consolidation ratios
Document Management: Comprehensive document handling and tracking
Integration: Seamless integration with other CargoNext modules
Compliance: Support for industry standards and regulations
Sustainability: Track carbon footprint and environmental impact

The Sea Freight module integrates with: - Air Freight: For multi-modal shipments - Transport: For inland transportation connections - Customs: For customs declaration and clearance - Warehousing: For container yard and CFS operations - Pricing Center: For rate calculation and tariff management - Sustainability: For carbon footprint tracking

Next Steps

To get started with the Sea Freight module:

Review the Setup Guide to configure the module
Set up Master Data including shipping lines and ports
Learn how to create a Sea Shipment
Understand Master Bill Management
Explore Consolidation Operations

For detailed information on each component, refer to the specific documentation pages.