At Metropolitan Logistics, we provide end-to-end ocean freight forwarding services designed for businesses shipping to and from Canada. Whether you’re moving a single pallet or a full container load, we ensure your cargo moves efficiently across the globe — with full visibility, compliance support, and seamless coordination from origin to destination.
We provide door-to-door and port-to-port ocean freight solutions, leveraging a trusted global network of carriers, agents, and customs professionals.
We ship through all major ocean gateways in Canada, with port operations and drayage coverage from coast to coast.
We coordinate all inland movements from your location to port and manage container drayage, terminal handling, and customs documentation seamlessly.
serves as Canada’s primary gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. With high-volume container throughput and strong links to China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, Vancouver ensures fast and efficient trade across the Pacific.
provides strategic access to transatlantic shipping lanes, making it ideal for cargo bound for or arriving from Europe, the UK, and the Mediterranean. Its inland location also supports direct rail connectivity to major Canadian and U.S. cities.
connects shippers with the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, Europe, and the Caribbean. Its deepwater terminals and lower congestion make it a reliable alternative for time-sensitive shipments on Atlantic trade routes.
offers flexible routing options for clients with specialized needs or less congested port preferences. These ports support diversified trade flows and provide strategic value for specific cargo types or regional deliveries.
Our ocean freight services support a wide range of cargo types — from standard commercial goods to complex project shipments — ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient transport for every industry.
We handle manufacturing components, industrial supplies, and general merchandise with full FCL or LCL solutions for domestic and international routes.
Reliable shipping for packaged consumer goods, seasonal inventory, and high-volume online orders — optimized for consolidation and fast turnover.
Containerized solutions for parts, tools, and finished vehicles — with experience handling time-sensitive deliveries for dealers and OEMs.
Secure and compliant transport for electronics, medical devices, lab machinery, and sensitive goods, with full tracking and insurance options.
Licensed to handle IMO-regulated cargo including chemicals, batteries, and industrial substances — always with proper documentation and safety protocols.
Flat rack, open-top, and custom equipment options for out-of-gauge shipments, heavy machinery, and engineered project freight — from origin coordination to final delivery.
As a licensed freight forwarder in Canada, our team ensures your documentation is correct from the outset:
We handle export compliance and coordinate with destination agents to ensure clearance and final delivery — reducing delays and added costs.
With warehouse and office infrastructure in Mississauga, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary, we support your shipment through every stage — from origin pickup to final delivery abroad.
Whether you’re exporting from Canada to Europe, importing from China, or coordinating FCL movements between North America and Asia, we manage every leg of the journey.
Need a quote for your next container load or LCL shipment?
We’ll respond quickly with full pricing and transit time options tailored to your cargo and route.
Ocean freight is the process of transporting goods by sea using container ships. It is one of the oldest and most widely used methods of international trade. For Canadian businesses, ocean freight forwarding is essential because it provides the most cost-effective way to move bulk goods, raw materials, and manufactured products across long distances. Unlike air freight, which is restricted by cargo size and weight, ocean freight allows for the transportation of full containers, oversized machinery, vehicles, and even hazardous cargo. Ports in Canada such as Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax serve as international gateways, connecting Canadian importers and exporters with Asia, Europe, and the United States.
To understand how does ocean freight work, you need to look at the supply chain process. Cargo is first packed into shipping containers, which are either booked as FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load). The freight forwarder arranges space with a carrier, handles export customs clearance, and ensures all documentation is prepared, including the Bill of Lading and packing lists. Once the container reaches the port, it is loaded onto a vessel and shipped overseas. Upon arrival at a Canadian port, the cargo is unloaded, cleared by customs, and transferred onto trucks or rail for final delivery. Ocean freight forwarding companies coordinate every step of this process to ensure compliance with international regulations and to minimize delays.
Many shippers ask how long does ocean freight take. Transit times depend on the origin and destination, weather, and port congestion. For example, ocean freight from China to Vancouver usually takes 20–30 days port-to-port, while from Europe to Montreal it can be 12–18 days. Coastal shipments within Canada, such as from Halifax to Montreal, may only take 5–7 days. Importers often search for how long does ocean freight take from China to US or Canada, and the answer varies depending on carrier schedules and customs clearance speed. Although ocean freight is slower than air freight, it remains the preferred option for businesses moving large quantities of goods at a lower cost.
The cost of shipping by sea is a key concern for businesses wondering how much does ocean freight cost. Pricing is influenced by container size (20ft vs 40ft), the trade lane, and surcharges like fuel or security fees. For LCL shipments, charges are calculated per cubic meter (CBM) or weight, whichever is greater. Ocean freight also includes port handling fees, customs clearance charges, and inland trucking costs. While it is slower than air freight, ocean freight is significantly more economical for bulk shipments, which is why it is the most common mode of transport in international trade. According to the World Shipping Council, ocean freight accounts for the majority of global trade volume and remains the backbone of the world economy.
Many businesses want to know how to calculate ocean freight charges. For FCL shipments, the cost is determined by the container size, the route, and applicable surcharges. For LCL, the price is calculated based on the shipment’s CBM or its actual weight, depending on which is higher. For example, a 4.5 CBM shipment weighing 500 kg would be billed according to CBM rather than weight. Freight forwarders also include port handling fees, documentation, and delivery costs to provide a full estimate. When companies search for how to calculate ocean freight cost or how to calculate ocean freight, the answer is always tied to both the physical dimensions of the cargo and the applicable trade lane.
To answer how to calculate weight or measure for ocean freight, the standard method is to use CBM (cubic meters). The formula is simple: length × width × height (in meters). For example, a crate measuring 2.0 × 1.5 × 1.5 meters equals 4.5 CBM. If the weight of the cargo exceeds the carrier’s standard weight per CBM, the higher measure is used for billing. This ensures that both space and weight are factored into the price. Understanding how to measure shipments correctly helps shippers avoid surprises on the final invoice.
When shippers ask how to track ocean freight, the answer is that most carriers and freight forwarders provide online tools. Using a Bill of Lading number or a container number, you can track the vessel’s status, see estimated arrival dates, and monitor customs clearance. Modern freight forwarders also provide real-time tracking notifications, giving businesses more visibility into their supply chains. Tracking ocean freight helps companies plan inventory, schedule warehouse labor, and communicate accurate delivery timelines to customers.
The question what does ocean freight mean is often asked by businesses new to international shipping. In simple terms, it refers to the transportation of goods by sea in shipping containers. Ocean freight forwarding ensures that goods are moved efficiently from one country to another while complying with customs, trade laws, and safety regulations. For Canadian companies, ocean freight means having access to global suppliers and markets through ports such as Vancouver, Halifax, and Montreal.
A bunker charge in ocean freight is a surcharge that covers the cost of ship fuel. Since marine fuel prices fluctuate, carriers apply this charge to stabilize costs. It is one of the common surcharges included in an ocean freight invoice and is adjusted regularly by carriers.
BAF in ocean freight means Bunker Adjustment Factor. This is a fee that carriers charge to cover fluctuations in fuel costs. It ensures that carriers can operate sustainably even when oil prices rise.
GRI in ocean freight stands for General Rate Increase. Carriers introduce GRI when demand is high, capacity is tight, or when operational costs rise. It directly impacts the base freight rate and is an important factor for businesses planning shipments.
NAC rates ocean freight, or Named Account Rates, are contract rates negotiated between carriers and shippers or freight forwarders. They are offered to high-volume shippers or companies with regular trade lanes to provide stable pricing. Having NAC rates helps businesses budget more accurately for logistics costs.
The question what is ocean freight forwarding refers to the role of freight forwarders in managing ocean shipments. Freight forwarders act as intermediaries, booking space with carriers, preparing documentation, handling customs clearance, and coordinating inland transportation in Canada. By using a forwarder, businesses avoid the complexity of dealing with multiple parties in the shipping process. Companies like Metropolitan Logistics Freight Forwarding
