SeaRates Pros & Cons: The Best Ways Manage Sea Freight Rates

Getting quotes from carriers and freight forwarders, keeping track of container movement between ports, etc. can be difficult when you have multiple containers on the move simultaneously. Thankfully, there are a number of digital tools available to help manage international supply chains. SeaRates is one such popular platform but it isn’t the only one. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of this platform and some of the best alternatives available to you.

What is SeaRates by DP World?

SeaRates is a digital shipping platform with an extensive network of independent freight forwarders. Shippers can connect with them through SeaRates to request quotes and book shipments online. This is a good option for low-volume or one-time shipments. However, since it still involves freight forwarders as intermediaries, it may not be the best solution for regular, high-volume shippers.

When to use SeaRates to manage your container shipping

SeaRates is a popular platform for shippers wanting to digitize their container shipping. Some of the instances in which SeaRates can help are:

When you have low shipment volumes

Let’s say you’re just starting to expand your audience internationally. You have small orders from different parts of the world. When you’re dealing with low shipment volumes, it may not be worth investing your time and effort into dealing directly with ocean carriers or getting into a long-term agreement with freight forwarders. In such cases, you can use SeaRates to get spot rates from forwarders that manage these routes.  

When you don’t yet have an agreement with a Freight Forwarder

Signing an agreement with a freight forwarder has long-term implications – you might miss out on lower off-season rates and limit your ability to work with competing service providers. However, you may still want to work with a freight forwarder to handle your shipment logistics. If you don’t have an outstanding agreement with an FCL, you could use SeaRates to find rates through forwarders on the platform.

When you don’t want to negotiate with an Ocean Carrier

Negotiating prices is an art that not everyone is very good at. It becomes harder to get good rates when you do not have regular, high-volume shipments. If you do not have much experience with container shipping, you may also miss out on some of the nuances of documentation, etc. and have your goods held up at customs at other such checkpoints. In such cases, it may be better to work with freight forwarders through the SeaRates platform.

Advantages of managing your container shipments through SeaRates

Working with freight forwarders through SeaRates can be beneficial for irregular low-volume shippers. Some of the advantages of using SeaRates to manage your container shipments through Freight Forwarders are:

Easy to use platform

The SeaRates platform is easy to use and create an account on. Any shipper with minimal knowledge of how to navigate a digital interface can use SeaRates to request quotes from freight forwarders and book shipments online.

Comprehensive solution

There are many stages to transporting goods from your factory/ warehouse to the customer. SeaRates can be used as a single digital platform for multiple shipping related functions. You can look up schedules and rates, select your FCL, plan your shipment, book your container, manage documents, and track your container till it is delivered.

Simpler processing

Getting quotes by visiting individual freight forwarder portals is slow and you might miss out on good freight forwarders. SeaRates simplifies the search and shipment management process by bringing all freight forwarders onto a common platform. It reduces the need for you to manage everything in-house. If you aren’t confident about managing ocean freight, this could be very helpful.

When Alternative Solutions May Be Better Than SeaRates

While SeaRates does make it easier for shippers to streamline their container shipments, it may not always be the best solution. Some instances in which SeaRates may fall short of meeting your requirements are:

When you ship larger volumes and you want a better deal

When it comes to shipping, larger volumes help you get lower rates. However, working with a freight forwarder may limit the rates available to you. In such cases, it may be better to cut out the middleman and negotiate directly with ocean carriers. 

However, SeaRates does not give shippers the option to do so. Hence, you need a platform that connects you to the global ocean carrier network and helps you compare carriers according to various KPIs such as costs, performance, reliability, CO2 emissions, etc.

When you prefer managing shipments directly with Ocean Carriers

If you already have agreements with ocean carriers to manage your container shipments, it would not make sense to add a freight forwarder into the system. Hence, SeaRates would not be able to add value to you. 

That said, you may still want to be able to compare the rates in your agreement with rates and KPIs from other carriers. Digital shipping supply chain platforms like BuyCo could be a better alternative in such cases.

When you already have agreements with Freight Forwarders

SeaRates can smoothen the shipment management system IF you are working with a freight forwarder who has an account with SeaRates. However, if you already have an agreement with a freight forwarder who isn’t on SeaRates

If you already have an agreement set with Freight Forwarders, you probably don’t have to check rates at SeaRates. If you are curious about what schedules you would like to book, you can use BuyCo to check schedules from all carriers. BuyCo also allows you to better collaborate with your forwarders, increase transparency, and measure performance.

Top 5 SeaRates Alternatives

If you’re looking at ways to digitize and simplify your supply chain, SeaRates is not the only platform that can help. Here are the top 5 alternatives to SeaRates.

1. BuyCo

BuyCo is an API-driven, collaborative platform designed to help large-volume shippers manage and control their container shipping operations. BuyCo connects you to 97% of all ocean carriers and centralizes your shipment planning and booking process. 

With BuyCo, you can automate several steps of your operations to make it more efficient. It also brings all your supply chain partners together for easier communication and document management. Further, BuyCo offers unparalleled visibility over end-to-end container movement and offers critical insights into your operation through smart reports. Whether you work with Freight Forwarders or directly with carriers, BuyCo is the smartest way to optimize your operations.

2. Routescanner

Routescanner is an online platform that allows cargo owners to access a global database of carriers and intermodal operators to find the best routes and schedules for their shipments. Shippers can search for road, rail, sea and barge routes between any two cities. Results can be sorted by arrival, lead time and emissions. This platform can be easily integrated with your existing TMS, ERP and other procurement systems.

3. Cargobase

Cargobase is a transportation and freight management system that helps shippers solve logistics challenges and maintain more control over their operations. Subscribers can use the platform to request quotes and approvals, track shipments, manage invoices and access performance reports for better business decisions.

4. Shipsy

Shipsy is a smart logistics management platform aimed at helping businesses simplify, automate, track and optimize their supply chain operations. It offers domestic and international logistics solutions. Shippers can analyze and compare freight quotes, manage documentation, track shipments across 50+ shipping lines, and read and reconcile invoices centrally.

5. Gocomet

Gocomet is a logistics resource management platform that helps shippers secure rates, track cargo movement and automate invoice reconciliation. Shippers can access sailing schedules between ports with benchmarked freight rates and insights into carrier performance. The platform also offers tools to centralize communication and simplify documentation. In addition, it helps businesses make better decisions through performance reports and predictive analytics.

The Best Way to Manage Ocean Freight Rates

When you have shipments moving between multiple ports, keeping track of them manually is difficult. Digital container shipping platforms can simplify and streamline your operations. Here are three key things to keep in mind when you’re choosing a shipping platform.

Get a solution that lets you find routes from all carriers

Working with freight forwarders can help smoothen your supply chain, but as your shipping volumes increase, you may want to have the option of bypassing the middleman and negotiating deals directly with carriers. Hence, you need a platform that connects you to carriers and freight forwarders. 

With BuyCo, you can centralize your maritime supply chains with connections to 97% of all carriers and 100+ freight forwarders and booking agents. This makes it easier to compare schedules and pick the one best suited to you.

Get a solution that helps you find schedules to achieve your goals

Delivery timelines may not be your only priority. For example, given the new CO2 emission regulations, you may be willing to choose a shorter route if it can bring down your carbon emissions. 

BuyCo gives you easy access to vessel schedules by multiple carriers and lets you compare them on the basis of distances, routes, ETA reliability, CO2 emissions, etc. This makes it easier to find the best schedule for every shipment.

Get a solution that allows you to manage every step of the container lifecycle

A good digital solution is one that not only helps you choose the right schedule but also improves control and visibility over the entire supply chain. You need a single hub from which you can manage all your shipments and access data to make better decisions.

Irrespective of whether you choose to work directly with carriers or with freight forwarders, Buyco lets you centralize management for your entire shipping operation. You can plan and schedule shipments, book vessels, manage documents, track containers and get actionable reports on the performance of your supply chain.

SeaRates FAQ

What is SeaRates?

SeaRates is a digital platform designed to help cargo owners and consumers connect with freight forwarders to manage their shipments. It offers tools for requesting quotations and schedules, managing documents and container tracking.

Who are the top SeaRates competitors?

If you are not satisfied with the services offered by SeaRates, you can look at alternative platforms like BuyCo, RouteScanner and CargoBase.

What is the best alternative to SeaRates?

BuyCo is the best alternative to SeaRates. It connects you to freight forwarders as well as directly to carriers and gives you end-to-end control and visibility over your shipments.