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INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT BY SEA
Sea Freight Services for International Shipping
At STG, sea freight services extend far beyond standard container movements. With more than 30 years of experience in specialist transport, our team has coordinated shipments ranging from short coastal ferry routes to global container shipping and heavy-lift vessels, depending on the nature of the cargo and the requirements of the wider logistics operation.
Whether the task involves break-bulk cargo, oversized machinery, or integrating with established global shipping routes, each movement is planned around the practical realities of ports, vessels, lifting capability, and onward transport.
A few examples of our sea freight expertise:
Over more than 30 years, STG has coordinated sea freight projects across a wide range of maritime environments, from local ferry crossings to international container routes.
Ferry Transport for Specialist Cargo
Sea freight movements can range from short coastal crossings to global shipping routes.
STG regularly coordinates ferry transport where sea freight forms one stage of a wider logistics operation.
In one example, a gas turbine was transported via a Greek inter-island ferry before continuing its journey by road to the final delivery point. Successful coordination required careful alignment between ferry schedules and inland transport arrangements.
Alternative Port Routing Across Europe
Direct sea freight routes are not always available from the United Kingdom. In these situations, established European ports provide effective alternatives.
Ports such as Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Hamburg are within easy reach and offer specialist cargo handling facilities, heavy lift cranes, and global shipping connections. These ports frequently provide practical routing options for complex sea freight shipments.
River Barge Transport Along the Danube
Sea freight solutions are often integrated with inland waterways. River barges across Europe provide access to inland regions that are difficult to reach by conventional road transport.
In one project, a 98-ton casting travelled by road from Plzen in the Czech Republic to Bratislava, where it was transferred onto a barge. From there, it continued along the Danube to its destination in Resita, Romania.
Charter Vessel for Industrial Cargo
For a shipment from Zaragoza to the Sellafield nuclear facility, road transport initially appeared to be the logical option. However, a detailed review showed that sea freight offered a more economical solution.
STG therefore arranged a charter vessel from Bilbao to Workington. The operation included crane discharge at the port, followed by coordinated road delivery to the final destination.
Large-scale Industrial Shipment from Japan
Sea freight is often used where shipment volumes are significant. In one project, more than 600 individual items with a combined weight exceeding 2,000 tonnes arrived by sea from Japan.
In situations of this scale, the sea voyage itself is only one part of the operation. Careful planning was required to ensure sufficient trucks were positioned at the port to unload the cargo efficiently and avoid vessel demurrage.
