Author: TASS GROUP

Shipping enterprises are a boon to India and its financial system. Shipping enterprises are the most significant form of transportation in the current generation.

Shipping companies function as a trade correlation between the countries and enable to uphold a stable economic affair between them. Whereas this enables the interchange of profit between the foreign countries and maintains the flow of exchange of goods to a constant level.

Cargo, automobiles, petroleum products, organic chemicals, coffee, iron, and steel products, etc. are the goods normally transported through this way. 

The United States of America, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Japan are the major foreign countries in which India exports its shipping services.

America is the leading superpower in import and export has supported strengthening the profits and has continued a steady amicable relationship with India. This has enabled to maintain trade and wealth between foreign countries and India.

Let’s take a look at the top shipping companies that are trustworthy and are popular in India over the last few years. 

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd

Shipping Corporation of India is the front-runner shipping enterprise in the country. The shipping corporation is a purely government-owned enterprise. It was started in 1961 in Bombay by the government of India.

Its headquarters is incorporated in Corporate Centre, Madame Cama Road, and Mumbai. The company is rendering various services like Liner and Passenger services, Bulk carrier and tanker services, offshore services. The company is functioning and handling vessels that catering national and international lines.

Essar Shipping

Essar shipping is the second-largest shipping company in India. Essar Shipping is a private sector company that started in the year 1945. Its headquarters is situated in Mumbai, India.

The enterprise is part of the Essar Group. Essar Shipping Ltd is an integrated logistics services provider involved in the trading of sea shipping, oilfields services, and, logistics services.

The enterprise provides various transportation services to Essar Steel India Limited (ESIL) and Essar Oil Limited (EOL), which are preoccupied with production activities, and require services of the Company for exporting and importing raw materials and finished goods.

Cochin Shipyard Ltd

Cochin Shipyard Ltd is one of the leading Shipping Companies in India. Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is the primary shipbuilding and maintenance enterprise in India.

The shipping enterprise is part of a line of maritime-related services in the port city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India.

The company is providing an extensive range of products including Tankers, Bulk carriers, Patrol boats, Diving support vessels, and Platform supply vessels.

The Great Eastern Shipping Company

The Great Eastern Shipping Company or also known as GE shipping is the second-biggest private sector shipping after Essar Group. It was started in the year 1948.

The company headquarter is situated in Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Great eastern is a top notch private sector shipping company that mainly transports gas, liquid, and solid bulk products.

The main business of the enterprise is separated into two parts-shipping and offshore. Crude Oil, Dry Bulk Commodities, Gas, and Petroleum Products, are transported in Shipping Business. The total numbers of the workforce working for the enterprise are around 2000 to 3000.

Bharathi Shipyard

Bharati Shipyard is India’s principal shipbuilding company. The company was started in 1973. The enterprise is based in Mumbai and the founders are Prakash Kapoor and Vijay Kumar, graduates of the Ocean Engineering & Naval Architecture program.

The company is mainly focusing on shipbuilding, designing, and repairing. The overall income of the Bharati Shipyard is Rs 5257 crore until now. The total numbers of workers are around 3000 to 5000. 

ABG Shipyard

ABG Shipyard is the largest shipping company that focuses on shipbuilding and designing company like Bharati Shipyard. It was founded in the year 1985, headquartered in Mumbai.

Rishi Agarwal is the founder and chairman of the company. The overall income of the company is around Rs 4322 crore until now. The total numbers of workers are around 3000 to 4000. The company has the largest ship-repairing unit in Goa and two facilities in Gujarat also.

Mercator Limited

The company was earlier recognized as Mercator Lines Ltd. The company is into various businesses like Commodity Transportation, Dredging, and Coal, Oil & Gas. It was started in the year 1983, Mumbai. Its headquarters are incorporated in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The overall income generated by Mercator Limited is around Rs 1835 Crore. The total numbers of staffs working for Mercator limited are anticipated to be 2000 to 5000 and they are increasing in numbers. H K Mittal is the founder and chairman of the company.

Gujarat Pipavav port Ltd

Gujarat Pipavav port ltd is a leading shipping company started by Nikhil Gandhi in the year 1996. The shipping enterprise could be also known as Pipavav Shipyard. The company is providing various services like logistic support, cargo handling, pilotage/towage.

The total revenue generated by Pipavav Shipyard is around Rs 1515 crore. The total number of staff working for the company could be around 3500 to 5000. The company is incorporated in Mumbai and Rajiv Shukla is the current CEO of the company.

Trans Asia Shipping Services Pvt Ltd

Trans Asia Shipping Services Pvt Ltd is leading shipping & logistic service provider with 28 years of expertise. The enterprise was incorporated in 1992 at Kochi, a port city along the coastline of Kerala, India.

The company is providing various services like Ship Owning, International and Domestic Liner operations, Container owning, Logistics, Plantation, Ship Building and Realty. 

Trans Asia Line was launched with its own shipping operations in the Middle East, South East Asian ports, India and sub continents and China among others.

India’s long 5560 KMS of coastline and range of ports on the east & west coast; and a large & resilient domestic economy grant a perfectly natural system for the country to build up a substantial coastal shipping industry. Shipping has always been considered a significant transport sector of national activities in India and it is perfectly suited for the transportation of bulk cargoes. Coastal shipping, as an approving mode of transport, is not only a financial necessity but also a beneficial asset in times of emergency.

India lays in geographical proximity to significant shipping routes which gives an innate advantage to the country’s shipping. Furthermore, coastal shipping is no longer a separate mode of transport but forms a part of an intermodal transport chain connecting other kinds of transport. National Shipping serves in making the country more autonomous and renders the essential strategy support in critical times.

The significant advantage of coastal shipping is to help in extending the resource base of the country by facilitating the harnessing wealth of the adjoining seawaters. The Indian shipping industry also gives support for national ship-building, ship-repairs ship-breaking, and other secondary industries and business, shipping, therefore, engenders employment both straight as well as through several ancillary activities.

What is coastal shipping?

Coastal shipping is the transport of cargo as a business and shipping within 20 nautical miles of the coastline. Coastal shipping allows ships to travel between the main ports of the country and it is helpful for domestic trade as well as transporting people within the country. Coastal shipping is relevant for transportation of containers, over-dimensional cargoes, and project cargoes, RORO cargoes such as semi-trailer trucks, cars, trucks, trailers, and railroad cars and also includes dry bulk cargoes like grain, fertilizers, steel, coal, salt, stone, scrap and minerals and Liquid bulk cargoes like oil products.

Advantages of coastal shipping

Cost savings

The primary advantage of coastal shipping is huge cost investments to the shipper and government. Freight transportation by coastal vessel is far more proficient and money-spinning than road transport and is much less prone to theft and damage. Conversely, ocean freight shipping expenses are normally four to six times less expensive than air. Hence, it is easy to claim that ocean transportation is an affordable international shipping option.

Efficiency 

One of the significant advantages of coastal shipping, no matter the size of the shipments; sea freight enterprises can frequently accommodate the needs. Smaller shipments can be broadly grouped with other cargo to fill a container, permitting for co-financing of the transportation services. Huge cargo can fill one or more containers, providing shippers unmatched bulk options. Indeed, vessels are the perfect way to move high volumes of cargo as they are intended to hold a large number of goods or raw materials.

Heavy, oversized, and bulky cargo capability

A major advantage of coastal shipping is shipping enterprises’ capability to manage extra-large, weighty, or huge cargo; often categorized as breakbulk or Not in Trailer loads. Such cargo could comprise types of equipment, large vehicles, construction materials, and more. Oftentimes too weighty or huge for air freight or even over-the-road transportation, very huge cargo is not a difficulty on many shipping vessels.

Safety

Ships are developed to carry dangerous materials and hazardous cargo securely. The shipping industry is adept in the managing of such goods and has regulations in place to make sure the security of the vessel, crew, cargo, and environment. Cargo loss caused by circumstances during transportation is continually dropping as maritime protection increases and has dropped considerably in the past decade. Containers are adapted to be sealed and locked during transportation for extra safety.

Environmental friendliness

When contrasted with sea shipping, air and many alternative modes of transport have much high carbon footprints; an explicit disadvantage for the environment. On the other hand, ships render the most carbon-efficient mode of transportation and create fewer grams of tire out gas emissions for each ton of cargo transported than any other shipment method.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a huge influence on people’s lives, families, and communities.

One of the activities that have also been majorly affected due to the expansion of spreading this disease is the shipping and maritime industry in India.

India is one of the dominant suppliers of seafarers for the maritime sector. The shipping industry in India has been playing a significant role in supporting the world market, sustaining trade, creating jobs, linking countries, businesses and people, on a level not possible otherwise.

The impact of Covid-19 on the shipping industry in India has resulted in a situation whereby commercial shipping is confronting serious financial constraints and the cruise business has virtually closed down.

Overall, the medium and long-term effects will be influenced by global macro-economic trends which seem to become visible very severe at this stage.

Covid has caused the industry to cope up with the worst circumstances as the workforce in these sectors have been shut down for the preventing another outbreak.

During the pandemic and the pressure of the situation, a ban has also been mandated by different countries on the entry of containers and vessels that are being operated from other ports, mainly those that are transported from China. The shipping transport and maritime industry are plastered with great difficulties during these challenging times.

Port Shutdown

The pandemic has lead to shutdown of ports due to the isolation periods. The ports have closed to make sure the safety of workers and several conditions have been levied.  For instance, the ban of shipping vessels into various countries which has obliged such vessels to be on the water and not have a destination port to go to.

The entry of vessels by certain countries has been constrained or banned, thus, resulted in chaos amongst the marine transportation amenities globally.

Fewer exigencies for cargos

The health authorities of India have eluded the menace of spreading COVID-19, which has led to the refusal in import and export of products and goods between countries.

All such goods that were before carried expediently on a ship have to follow a set standard of rules and processes which has limited the exigencies for such cargo. The holdup in such transportation due to added intricacies of quarantine periods has led to the further refusal of demand for such cargos.

Conflicts between owners and charters

Charters hire the vessels from the owners of the vessels and different kinds of clashes are surfacing between the owners and charters of such vessels due to loss of time and money. The owners permit the vessels to charters for a certain period for fixed expenses.

The overriding of such period results in additional expenses that have to be paid for surpassing the set period. The pandemic has imposed major challenges on the payment of such period as the vessels are banned from entering definite ports and compel them to be on territorial waters for an extended period forcing them to be a party to pay additional expenses that are under the light of dispute.

Indebtedness

Many small enterprises engaged in the shipping and maritime industry have resulted in bankrupt due to fewer exigencies and the lack of ability to manage the finances of the company during this period of less require of cargos and shipping. This has majorly affected the small running business enterprises and even resulted in the closure of various companies engaged in this industry.

Further Reading :  

Top Shipping Companies in India

How to Choose a Shipping Agent?

Shipping containers plays the most vital part in delivering goods from one region to different parts of the world. Whether it is trade, shipping industry, or transportation work, none of it will be possible without shipping containers. 

Numerous types of shipping containers are used to store different kinds of goods depending on the structure or requirement of the material that is being transported.

The primary purpose of using shipping containers is to ensure or guarantee the safety of the products, as more than 90% of the world’s cargo is carried by ships. The containers vary in different structures, shapes, dimensions based on the product they are meant to carry and their purpose. 

Here are the 10 most common and generally used shipping containers:

1. General Purpose Containers

The general purpose containers are the most commonly used category of containers. These are also known as Dry Containers. They are used to ship dry products, and they are fully enclosed from all sides, making them weatherproof. These containers carry standard types of cargo.

 They come in various sizes ranging from 40ft, 20ft, and 10ft. Some dry containers might have flexitank or linear bags to carry certain liquids or dry bulk cargo.

2. Flat Rack Containers

Flat rack containers are ideal for carrying goods like heavy machinery, vehicles, building materials, etc. These containers have collapsible sidewalls, which can be folded to store cargo in a more accessible and efficient way. After loading the shipment, the sidewalls can be unfolded, making it a secure way to transport cargo.

3. Open Top Containers

As the name suggests, the roof or the top of the container is entirely removable. This feature makes over-height products that cannot be loaded traditionally from the front door easy to load. Likes of the product include tall machinery and finished products that are tall in nature and can be loaded from cranes or rail bridges only.

4. Double Door Containers

These containers have doors on both ends. It is also called a Tunnel container. Having doors on both ends makes them very accessible for quick loading and unloading of products. It also allows putting slightly wider products. Both the doors have a similar locking scheme and are weatherproof, ensuring the safety of the goods.

5. One Side Containers

One side containers are very similar to the general-purpose containers. The only noticeable difference between them that sets them apart is that the doors can open entirely on the sides. Due to this capability, it creates a much wider space to load and unload stuff. This container is ideal for materials that cannot be loaded through the front doors. One side container is generally available in two sizes, 20’ and 40’.

6. ISO Reefer Containers

The ISO reefer is an exceptional kind of container. These containers are generally used for storing and shipping temperature-sensitive products or materials. The most common examples of the products can be edibles like fruits, vegetables, meat, etc. Keeping them at a specific temperature is necessary; otherwise, they will rot before reaching their destination. 

These containers are powered by an external power source to maintain the specific internal temperature inside the container.

7. Insulated Containers

Similar to the last container mentioned above, this comes under the special category of containers. The insulated containers share a lot in common with the ISO Reefer container. 

The only difference is that the thermal container has a regulated temperature that can cope with high temperatures. They are attached to a mechanical compressor to heat or cool the insides of the container. They carry items that are easily affected by temperature, like blood, organs, food materials, etc.

8. Tank Containers 

The design of a Tank container is very different from our traditional containers. These containers are designed to carry liquid or fluid materials. They are made up of strong steel and anti-corrosive materials. 

But there is a condition with them, and these tanks must be 80% filled to prevent surging of liquids inside them and should not be filled more than 95% to allow sufficient room for thermal expansion.

9. Half Height Containers

They are most commonly used in transporting bulk cargo that is supposed to be extremely heavy and dense in nature. Goods such as coal and stones are the ideal stuff for half-height containers. The most area where these containers are utilized is the Mining industry. They are designed in a way so that they have a low center of gravity compared to our tall containers for better handling. These are very robust and very easy to load and unload goods.

10. Car Carriers 

These containers are specially designed for transporting newly manufactured cars from one place to another. Most of the vehicles we use are imported, and these containers help them reach their destination safely. These containers are equipped with collapsible sides that allow the car to get loaded in the container. 

Keep Reading: 

Different Types of Shipping You Probably Didn’t Know About

7 Different Types of Cargo Transported Through Shipping

Conclusion 

Mentioned above are the most common types of containers that are used in transporting goods that we use in our daily lives. Each container is made with a specific purpose to fulfill and follows a different trait. 

If you’re looking to rent shipping containers, we’re here to help. At Tassgroup, we offer high-quality 40ft and 20ft storage and high cube containers at affordable and flexible lease options. Feel free to contact us to know more about how we can help you!

International shipments are way too complex than domestic shipments as there are many steps involved in the shipping process. That’s where the acronym CNF comes in. 

Meaning of CNF in Shipping

CNF stands for Cost and Freight. It is the most widely used shipping term in International shipments. It is basically a shipping agreement between the buyer and seller. The seller pays to deliver the goods to the port closest to the buyer, after which the buyer is responsible for all other shipping charges, including insurance from the port to the final destination. 

CNF is also known as CFR and C&F. 

Importance of CNF in Shipping 

With the growth of worldwide trade, there is a need to standardize international shipping. Understanding the various shipping choices allows the business owner and seller to improve the efficiency and flexibility of their supply chain.

CNF and other international shipping terms assist shippers and buyers in calculating and managing freight costs efficiently. 

Other terms related to CNF 

FOB: 

FOB stands for Free on Board/Freight on Board. Here the seller bears the cost of delivering items to the nearest port, but then the buyer is responsible for the shipping and all the other charges. 

CIF:

CIF stands for Cost, Insurance and Freight. Here the seller is responsible for all costs, including freight and insurance, associated with transporting the items to the final destination. Once the products are carried on the ship,  the risk is moved to the customer.

What is the difference between CNF and CIF?

In CIF, the cost includes sea freight and insurance to deliver the items to the buyer’s closest port. The buyer then has to take responsibility for the package from that point forward. CNF is similar to CIF, except insurance is not included.

If you would like to know more information about shipping or if you are looking to get your cargo moved seamlessly, then feel free to contact our shipping experts at Tass Group. 

Seas and ships have played a prime role in shaping this world; they have been the primary mode of transportation of goods and cultures for centuries and continue to do so. 

The heavy cargo ship, which was stuck in the Suez Canal for days, cost $54 Billion to the world trade, which makes it a whopping $6.7 million per minute. If blocking a shipping route for just a few days can cause this big loss, you can clearly imagine the impact ships have on today’s world.

When you’re shipping goods, it’s important to choose a shipping agent. There are many different factors that go into choosing a shipping agent, and finding the right one for your needs can be a difficult task. 

The last thing you want is to ship your packages incorrectly or waste time on something trivial. In this article, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to make an educated choice when choosing a shipping agent.

8 Factors to Consider While Choosing a Shipping Agent

You need to make sure that you check these things about a shipping agent before handing them your cargo. 

• Type of Goods/Cargo

A shipping agent may have good reviews and word from people, it can be fairly reputed too, but that does not mean that it is the best for you. There are many shipping carriers that specialize in certain types of cargo, you need to understand your cargo type and look for shipping companies that specialize in it.  

Certain shipping agents have special policies for different types of goods, and some might not be able to handle extremely fragile goods or refrigerated food items. You should check the shippers’ policies for your type of goods before proceeding further.

• Industry Reputation

While new shipping agents can be good in terms of costs and services, they do not always turn out to be the best. It is always recommended to go with reputed shipping agents from the market. They might charge you a bit more, but their services are reliable.

Established shipping providers also have better knowledge and ways of passing the laws and regulations, and you will have less trouble while shipping.

• Pricing

Shipping companies charge for storage, customs clearance, fuel surcharges, terminal handling charges, brokerage charges and more depending on the level of service you are requesting.

The best way to make sure you are getting the best shipping rate is to find out how much it will cost to ship your product from the origin to the destination by contacting different carriers. Each carrier has its own set of rules for pricing which may or may not be transparent upfront.

• Shipment Tracking

Having a good amount of information while your shipment is delivered to its destination is an important part of the process. You may also need to disclose the tracking information to the buyer at specific time intervals. A good shipping agent should provide adequate tracking information for your goods and cargo.

• Convenience

There are different benefits for different shipping agents, you need to find out which of them are best for you, some shipping agents will offer free goods/cargo pickup from your location which will save you some costs and trouble, these services definitely add goodness to your experience.

• Insurance

Insurance is one of the most important things while shipping goods in large quantities, it gets even more crucial when you have to ship fragile goods. While all insurance options might look the same, they aren’t. Your shipping agent should be able to disclose all the necessary information for the insurance and should cover most of the losses and damages.

• Customer Support

Shipping your goods to far lands is a huge task, you can have queries, concerns, and grievances in this process and there should be an efficient system of resolution for all of these. Your shipping agent should have a knowledgeable customer support team that can solve your queries in an instant.

• Shipping Options

There is no size that fits all. Sometimes you might occupy a full container, and sometimes, even one container may not be enough. Your shipping agent should be having a wide range of options for you to choose from.

Conclusion

Shipping needs to be done with utter care and thought. To ensure the best experience for your buyer, a good shipping agent is a must. Keep these factors in mind and you will surely find the one that suits your business.

If you are looking to get your goods shipped, get in touch with us and see how we can help you get your cargo moved seamlessly.  

Trans Asia Group is one of the top names among the best shipping service providers in India. We have served over 30,000 customers worldwide to date and have an impeccable track record of client satisfaction. Contact now for a free quote!