Cargosender — Ocean Freight

Sea Freight from Portugal

LCL (shared container) and FCL (full container) ocean freight from the Port of Lisbon and Port of Leixões to 500+ ports worldwide.

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Ocean Freight from Portugal to the World

Sea freight is the most cost-effective way to move large volumes of cargo internationally. Portugal's ports — Lisbon, Leixões, and Setúbal — offer direct services to the Americas, West Africa, and connections to Asian trade lanes. LCL (Less than Container Load) is priced per CBM; FCL is priced per container.

Sea Freight Benefits

Most cost-effective mode

Sea freight is 70–80% cheaper than air for heavy or large cargo. The right choice for non-time-critical large shipments.

No size limits

Unlike air, sea freight accommodates machinery, vehicles, and oversized cargo that cannot go by air.

Lowest CO₂ per tonne

Shipping by sea has the lowest carbon footprint per tonne-km of any freight mode.

Sealed container security

Your cargo travels in a sealed steel container, protected from weather, theft, and contamination.

Booking Sea Freight

1

Describe cargo

CBM, weight, commodity type, and destination port.

2

Select sailing

Choose from available vessel schedules and carriers.

3

Prepare documents

Commercial invoice, packing list, and Bill of Lading info.

4

Load & sail

Cargo delivered to origin port. B/L issued on vessel departure.

Sea Freight Pricing Factors

Volume (CBM)

LCL charged per cubic metre. FCL per container. Minimum CBM charges apply for very small LCL loads.

Trade lane & port

Major lanes (Portugal–Brazil, Portugal–USA) are competitive. Remote ports carry surcharges.

Vessel schedule

Weekly vs bi-weekly sailings. Faster vessels on some routes cost more.

Bunker & IMO surcharges

Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) and IMO 2020 low-sulphur fuel surcharge apply to all ocean freight.

Port THC charges

Terminal Handling Charges at origin and destination ports (€80–€250/container) are separate from ocean rate.

Sea Freight Cost Reduction

FCL vs LCL

Full container at 10+ CBM

At 10+ CBM, a full 20ft container (FCL) is almost always cheaper per CBM than LCL consolidation.

Off-Peak

Avoid Q4 peak season

Ocean rates peak in Q4. Shipping in Q1–Q3 can save 15–30% on container rates.

Direct Route

Direct vs transshipment

Choosing a direct sailing avoids transshipment fees and transit delays.

Ocean Freight Surcharges

Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF), IMO 2020 low-sulphur surcharge, and Emergency Risk Surcharges (ERS) apply to all ocean freight. All included in Cargosender quoted rates.

Delivery Timelines

1
Portugal domestic
n/a
2
Iberian Peninsula
n/a — sea is intercontinental
3
EU destinations
West Africa / S. America: 15–30 days
4
International
USA: 10–20 days | Asia: 25–40 days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between LCL and FCL?

LCL (Less than Container Load) shares container space with other shippers — you pay per CBM. FCL (Full Container Load) gives you the whole container — cheaper per CBM at 10+ CBM.

Which ports does Cargosender use?

Primarily Port of Lisbon (Alcântara) and Port of Leixões (Porto/Matosinhos). We also arrange transhipment via Rotterdam or Barcelona for niche destinations.

How do I get a quote?

Use the quote form above. Enter origin, destination, weight, and dimensions to see live carrier prices in seconds.

Is pickup from my address included?

Yes. All services include door-to-door collection. Choose your pickup date during checkout.

Can I track my shipment?

Yes. A tracking link is sent to your email when the carrier scans the label at collection.

What happens if my shipment is delayed?

Contact our support team. We investigate with the carrier and keep you updated. Compensation may apply on express-guaranteed services.

Can I cancel or change a booking?

Bookings can be cancelled before collection for a full refund. After collection, changes depend on the carrier's in-transit policy.

Related Services

Get Sea Freight Rates from Portugal

LCL and FCL ocean cargo to 500+ ports. Request current rates for your shipment.

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