Week 2:
Instructions: Identify a freight forwarder or NVOCC. Describe in detail the types of services the freight
forwarder or NVOCC provides as well as information regarding contracts, agreements, pricing, reasons
for your selection, etc. Also, cite the sources of the information collected and provide any additional
information you deem necessary to support your discussion. In order to complete the requirements for this
assignment you must post your report AND respond to at least one classmate.
Identifying a Freight Forwarder or NVOCC Report Problem/Scenario:
I am a shipping manager for Wonderful Widgets. I must find a freight forwarder or a NVOCC to assist in
an international shipment of metal widgets from Port of Beijing to the Port of Los Angeles within 18 days
of the order.
Actions Required:
The first action to take is determining the difference between a freight forwarder and a NVOCC and how
I can benefit from each. A freight forwarder will use any mode of transportation to complete my
shipment. They will arrange all aspects of the shipment for me, to include preparing documents, customs
clearance, warehousing, and delivery, etc. (AFS Logistics, 2018). A NVOCC is strictly an ocean
“carrier” and will solely lease space on a ship for my request. I need to determine, which will be best by
reviewing pricing, availability, contract terms, and ports of common freight forwarders and NVOCC’s.
What information did you find?
There are dozens of freight forwarders available. All who provided a plethora of services from
consolidation, palletization, customs and documentation, carrier booking and warehousing. I did some
research on a site called Freightos.com, a freight marketplace company. They help shippers get quotes
and find freight forwarders based on the port locations and cargo information. They provide free shipping
quotes from dozens of freight shipping companies and forwarders and the opportunity to book online.
What were the challenges?
The biggest challenge in this scenario is the 18 day timeline, and finding a freight forwarder that can
accommodate it. As this is a significantly heavy load, air is not going to be a good option due to weight
and the enormous cost associated with moving that amount of cargo by air.
Solution:
I’ve elected to go with STU Supply Chain Company because they are a freight forwarder and a NVOCC
in China that offers sea and air freight and door to door services. They have extensive experience in
moving cargo from China to the US and partnerships with many well known commercial carriers. In
doing some research, several sources said the fastest shipping time from Beijing’s Tianjin Xingang main
port was around 22 days. However, from Shanghai it can be as little as 14 days to Los Angeles. A freight
forwarder’s main job is to figure out how to get my cargo from Beijing to LA. It may be more expensive,
but perhaps the best way is to get the cargo from Beijing to Shanghai within 4 days, and on a vessel
arriving to LA in 14 days to meet the 18 day timeline.
AFS Logistics. (2018, January 22). Freight forwarder vs. NVOCC. https://afs.net/blog/freight-forwarder-
versus-nvocc/
STU Supply Chain Management(Shenzhen)Co.,Ltd. (2022, September 7) Shipping Time from China to
US. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/shipping-time-from-china-us-stusupplychain
Instructions: Identify a freight forwarder or NVOCC. Describe in detail the types of services the freight
forwarder or NVOCC provides as well as information regarding contracts, agreements, pricing, reasons
for your selection, etc. Also, cite the sources of the information collected and provide any additional
information you deem necessary to support your discussion. In order to complete the requirements for this
assignment you must post your report AND respond to at least one classmate.
Identifying a Freight Forwarder or NVOCC Report Problem/Scenario:
I am a shipping manager for Wonderful Widgets. I must find a freight forwarder or a NVOCC to assist in
an international shipment of metal widgets from Port of Beijing to the Port of Los Angeles within 18 days
of the order.
Actions Required:
The first action to take is determining the difference between a freight forwarder and a NVOCC and how
I can benefit from each. A freight forwarder will use any mode of transportation to complete my
shipment. They will arrange all aspects of the shipment for me, to include preparing documents, customs
clearance, warehousing, and delivery, etc. (AFS Logistics, 2018). A NVOCC is strictly an ocean
“carrier” and will solely lease space on a ship for my request. I need to determine, which will be best by
reviewing pricing, availability, contract terms, and ports of common freight forwarders and NVOCC’s.
What information did you find?
There are dozens of freight forwarders available. All who provided a plethora of services from
consolidation, palletization, customs and documentation, carrier booking and warehousing. I did some
research on a site called Freightos.com, a freight marketplace company. They help shippers get quotes
and find freight forwarders based on the port locations and cargo information. They provide free shipping
quotes from dozens of freight shipping companies and forwarders and the opportunity to book online.
What were the challenges?
The biggest challenge in this scenario is the 18 day timeline, and finding a freight forwarder that can
accommodate it. As this is a significantly heavy load, air is not going to be a good option due to weight
and the enormous cost associated with moving that amount of cargo by air.
Solution:
I’ve elected to go with STU Supply Chain Company because they are a freight forwarder and a NVOCC
in China that offers sea and air freight and door to door services. They have extensive experience in
moving cargo from China to the US and partnerships with many well known commercial carriers. In
doing some research, several sources said the fastest shipping time from Beijing’s Tianjin Xingang main
port was around 22 days. However, from Shanghai it can be as little as 14 days to Los Angeles. A freight
forwarder’s main job is to figure out how to get my cargo from Beijing to LA. It may be more expensive,
but perhaps the best way is to get the cargo from Beijing to Shanghai within 4 days, and on a vessel
arriving to LA in 14 days to meet the 18 day timeline.
AFS Logistics. (2018, January 22). Freight forwarder vs. NVOCC. https://afs.net/blog/freight-forwarder-
versus-nvocc/
STU Supply Chain Management(Shenzhen)Co.,Ltd. (2022, September 7) Shipping Time from China to
US. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/shipping-time-from-china-us-stusupplychain
