About our sea freight
Sea Freight That Runs on
Relationships, Not Guesswork
Sea freight is the backbone of international trade — cost-effective for large volumes, flexible across cargo types, and essential for any business importing or exporting goods between Australia and global markets. But sea freight is only as reliable as the relationships behind it. Transit time, container availability, and port congestion all depend on which carriers your forwarder has genuine access to.
Seatram Logistics has operated international sea freight lanes for 40 years. Our direct relationships with shipping lines serving Italy, Europe, China, and South East Asia give our clients access to competitive rates, reliable sailings, and priority space when market demand tightens. We handle FCL and LCL shipments across all major trade routes to and from Australian ports.
FCL
Full container — sealed door/port to door
LCL
Shared space per cbm or ton
Italy Transit
Direct 41 days La Spezia to Sydney
Transhipment 55 days La Spezia to Sydney
China Transit
14 days Shanghai to Sydney
What we offer
Our Sea Freight Services
Full Container Load
FCL
You book the entire container — 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft High Cube — and your cargo moves as a sealed unit from origin to destination. Faster transit, lower handling risk, and better rates per cubic metre for larger shipments.
Marine Logistics
International Yacht Transport
Full movement management for yachts and marine vessels — Italian port departure, biosecurity pre-planning for Australia's BICON requirements, carrier booking (container, RoRo, or semi-submersible), in-house customs clearance, and delivery to your marina berth or storage facility.
LCL Groupage
Consolidation
For regular importers shipping smaller volumes from Italy or Europe, we group your cargo with compatible freight into a single container. We manage the groupage at origin and customs clearance on arrival.
Specialist Handling
Dangerous Goods & OOG
Hazardous materials, temperature-controlled cargo, and oversized items handled end-to-end. Our team manages IMO declarations, reefer monitoring, and OOG cargo planning including flat-rack, open top containers, RoRo and break bulk cargo.
Where we operate
Sea Freight Trade Lanes
Italy → Australia
La Spezia, Genova, Livorno, Naples, Trieste to Port Botany & Port of Melbourne
Est. transit time 45–65 days
Europe → Australia
Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Barcelona, Marseille to Sydney & Melbourne
Est. transit time 55–65 days
China → Australia
Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Qingdao to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Fremantle
Est. transit time 14–22 days
South East Asia → Australia
Singapore, Port Klang, Jakarta, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City to Australian ports
Est. transit time 8–18 days
UK & USA → Australia
Felixstowe, Southampton, Los Angeles, New York to Sydney & Melbourne
Est. transit time 25–40 days
Trans-Tasman
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch to Sydney & Melbourne, and return
Est. transit time 3–6 days
Common questions
Sea Freight Questions
What is the difference between FCL and LCL sea freight?
FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire shipping container — typically a 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft High Cube unit. Your cargo is sealed at origin and opened at destination with no other freight involved. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your cargo shares container space with other shippers. You pay only for the space your cargo uses, measured in cubic metres and weight. FCL is more cost-effective per unit when you have enough volume; LCL suits smaller, irregular, or trial shipments.
How long does sea freight from Italy to Australia take?
Transit time from Italian ports (La Spezia, Genova, Livorno, Naples) to Port Botany Sydney is approximately 45 to 65 days depending on the shipping line, route, and any transhipment ports. Direct services are faster; routes via Asian hub ports such as Singapore or Port Klang add 5 to 10 days. We always provide estimated arrival dates at booking and monitor the vessel throughout transit.
How long does sea freight from China to Australia take?
Transit from major Chinese ports (Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou) to Sydney is typically 14 to 22 days. Direct services are available on most major trade lanes. We advise on the fastest available routing at the time of booking.
What documents do I need for sea freight into Australia?
For a standard sea freight import you will need a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. Depending on the goods, you may also need a certificate of origin for FTA preference claims, biosecurity declarations, import permits, or compliance documentation. Our customs brokers review your shipment documentation before cargo departs to identify any gaps — avoiding delays on Australian arrival.
Ready when you are
Ready to Move Your Cargo?
Our Sydney-based team handles customs, compliance, and carrier coordination — so you are not managing your forwarder on top of managing your business. Response by the next business day, no obligation.