Sea Freight Services — VELO Logistics Dubai
VELO Logistics provides end-to-end international ocean freight forwarding solutions for commercial enterprises, industrial manufacturers, and global trading houses. Operating directly out of Jebel Ali Port—the largest container gateway in the Middle East and the premier hub of DP World—we provide competitive ocean rates, flexible sailing schedules, and end-to-end cargo management across all major global sea lanes.
From single Less-than-Container Load (LCL) consolidations to multi-thousand container Full Container Load (FCL) project shipments, our ocean logistics specialists manage your cargo from origin factory collection, terminal handling, and ocean transit through customs clearance and final inland delivery.
Ocean Freight Capabilities & Service Options
We offer comprehensive ocean freight modes tailored to your shipment volume, commodity characteristics, and transit urgency:
- Full Container Load (FCL): Dedicated container shipping for high-volume commercial shipments. We provide dry standard, high-cube, open-top, flat-rack, and refrigerated containers with prioritized carrier equipment releases.
- Less than Container Load (LCL Consolidation): Cost-effective ocean transport for smaller shipments sharing container space. We operate weekly consolidation boxes from major manufacturing hubs in Asia, Europe, and North America direct to Jebel Ali CFS (Container Freight Station).
- Temperature-Controlled Reefer Cargo: Precision cold chain shipping for fresh produce, frozen proteins, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals with real-time continuous temperature telemetry.
- Breakbulk & Out-of-Gauge (OOG): Specialized engineering for heavy-lift industrial machinery, yachts, structural steel, and project cargo exceeding standard container dimensions.
- Port-to-Port & Door-to-Door Delivery (Incoterms 2020): Full origin pickup, export customs clearance, ocean line-haul, port destination handling, UAE customs brokerage, and final bonded trucking.
Primary UAE Sea Ports Served
Our ocean operations team coordinates daily gate-ins, vessel discharges, and customs inspections across all major maritime gateways in the UAE:
| Port Gateway | UN/LOCODE | Terminal Operators & Specializations |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali Port (Dubai) | AEJEA | DP World (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4), largest transshipment gateway in the Middle East, JAFZA free zone connectivity |
| Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi) | AEAUH | Abu Dhabi Ports, CSP Abu Dhabi Container Terminal, direct industrial access to KIZAD / KEZAD |
| Port Rashid (Dubai) | AEPRA | Traditional sea-air cargo, coastal trade, cruise facilities, and adjacent to Dubai Drydocks World for marine spares |
| Port of Sharjah (Khalid & Hamriyah) | AESHJ / AEHAM | Bulk cargo, steel, construction materials, and regional Persian Gulf coastal trade |
Global Ocean Trade Lanes & Average Transit Times
| Origin Trade Corridor | Primary Origin Ports | Destination UAE Port | Average Ocean Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| China (East Coast) | Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | 18 – 24 Days |
| China (South Coast) | Shenzhen (Yantian, Shekou), Guangzhou | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | 16 – 20 Days |
| India (West Coast) | Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | 3 – 5 Days |
| North Europe | Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Felixstowe | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | 22 – 30 Days |
| Mediterranean | Genoa, Valencia, Piraeus, Mersin | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | 14 – 20 Days |
| United States (East Coast) | New York, Savannah, Norfolk | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | 28 – 35 Days |
| United States (Gulf Coast) | Houston, New Orleans | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | 32 – 40 Days |
| Southeast Asia | Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | 10 – 14 Days |
Shipping Container Dimensions & Specifications
Selecting the right container type is critical to optimizing ocean freight costs. Reference our standard container guide:
| Container Type | Internal Dimensions (L × W × H) | Tare Weight | Max Payload | Usable Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard Dry (GP) | 5.90m × 2.35m × 2.39m | 2,230 kg | 21,770 kg | ~28 – 30 CBM |
| 40ft Standard Dry (GP) | 12.03m × 2.35m × 2.39m | 3,700 kg | 26,500 kg | ~56 – 60 CBM |
| 40ft High Cube (HC) | 12.03m × 2.35m × 2.69m | 3,970 kg | 26,300 kg | ~66 – 70 CBM |
| 20ft Reefer (Refrigerated) | 5.44m × 2.29m × 2.27m | 3,080 kg | 27,400 kg | ~26 – 28 CBM |
| 40ft High Cube Reefer | 11.58m × 2.29m × 2.50m | 4,480 kg | 29,500 kg | ~60 – 64 CBM |
| 40ft Flat Rack (OOG) | 12.08m × 2.43m × 2.13m | 5,000 kg | 40,000 kg | Heavy Machinery / Breakbulk |
Calculate your shipment's total volume and compare LCL vs. FCL container fitment using our free CBM Calculator.
Understanding Ocean Bills of Lading (B/L)
We assist shippers with selecting and managing the appropriate transport document:
- Original Bill of Lading (OBL): Traditional document of title. The physical paper set (typically 3/3 originals) must be endorsed and surrendered at the destination port before container release. Recommended when payment is secured under a Letter of Credit (L/C).
- Telex Release / Electronic Release: An electronic authorization sent by the origin carrier agent confirming that original bills have been surrendered, allowing immediate cargo release in Dubai without mailing physical documents.
- Sea Waybill / Express Release: Non-negotiable transport document used when cargo payment is pre-settled or between trusted corporate entities, enabling fastest cargo collection upon vessel berthing.
Demurrage & Detention Avoidance in UAE
Demurrage and detention fees at Jebel Ali Port can escalate rapidly if cargo clearance is delayed. VELO implements proactive demurrage mitigation:
- Pre-Clearance via Dubai Customs Mirsal II: Filing customs declarations 48 to 72 hours prior to vessel arrival against manifest data.
- Extended Free-Time Negotiations: Securing 14 to 21 days of container demurrage and detention free time directly from shipping lines for qualified volume shippers.
- Immediate Port Evacuation: Rapid transport from DP World quay to our bonded or mainland storage facilities to stop the demurrage clock immediately.
Required Documentation for Ocean Shipments to UAE
- Bill of Lading (B/L): Master or House B/L showing consignee name and Dubai customs code.
- Commercial Invoice: Specifying line-item values, currency, HS codes, and Incoterm.
- Detailed Packing List: Net and gross weights, package marks and numbers, and container seals.
- Certificate of Origin (COO): Attested by the Chamber of Commerce in the country of export.
- Delivery Order (D/O): Issued by the shipping agent in UAE upon settlement of ocean freight and local handling charges.
Why Choose VELO Logistics for Ocean Freight
- Direct Service Contracts: Contracted tier-1 freight agreements with major ocean alliances (Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, and Evergreen).
- In-House Customs Brokerage: Licensed clearance brokers on-site at Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) for rapid customs inspection and gate-pass issuance.
- Multi-Modal Integration: Seamless on-forwarding from Jebel Ali via cross-border road trucking to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Request an Ocean Freight Quote
- Request Instant Quote: Get a Free Quote
- Calculate CBM & Containers: Free CBM Calculator
- Sea Freight Desk: info@vlo.ae
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