Description
Plan, price, and manage international ocean shipments as an intermediary between shippers and ocean carriers, securing vessel space, documentation, and end-to-end coordination. Ensure FMC, maritime, and customs compliance while arranging drayage, consolidation, insurance, and shipment visibility from origin to final delivery.
- • Select ocean routings, port pairs, and sailings based on cargo, transit time, and risk.
- • Determine cost-efficient end-to-end ocean transport solutions, including intermodal legs.
- • Book vessel slots or less-than-containerload space with carriers and consolidators.
- • Arrange origin and destination drayage, deconsolidation, and storage at terminals or warehouses.
- • Arrange specialized moves for refrigerated, hazardous, out-of-gauge, or time-sensitive cargo.
- • Assist clients with marine cargo insurance placement and claims.
- • Calculate cubic volume, chargeable weight, verified gross mass, and all-in ocean costs.
- • Prepare house bills of lading, master bill instructions, dock receipts, packing lists, and certificates of origin.
- • Consolidate less-than-containerload shipments and build full containers to optimize utilization.
- • Advise clients on sailing options, transit times, transshipment risks, Incoterms, and compliance.
- • Maintain shipment records, carrier bookings, and proof of delivery.
- • Stay current on FMC rules, maritime security, sanctions, customs, and port conditions.
- • Track containers and provide milestone updates from origin to final delivery.
- • Negotiate ocean freight, surcharges, and free time with carriers and partners.
- • Obtain marine cargo insurance and certificates.
- • Arrange payment and collection of freight charges, accessorials, duties, and fees.
- • Prepare quotations, service contracts, and invoices for ocean services.
- • Recommend export packing, containerization, and securing methods suitable for sea transit.
- • Verify seaworthy packing, export marks, container condition, and seal integrity.
- • Verify documents meet FMC, SOLAS, IMDG, customs, and insurance requirements.
- • Coordinate customs brokerage, duties, and taxes at origin and destination.
- • File EEI in AES, ISF 10+2, and AMS or ACI data as required.
- • Engage customs brokers and provide timely clearance instructions and documents.
- • Provide port and terminal information, cutoffs, and shipment status or arrival notices.
- • Analyze routings and carrier choices to reduce emissions and fuel use.
- • Recommend shipping solutions that balance cost, speed, and environmental impact.
- • Maintain FMC licensing, bonds, tariffs, and required publications for OTI and NVOCC operations.
- • Manage demurrage, detention, per diem, and free time to control costs.
- • Schedule terminal appointments, chassis, and drayage carriers at origin and destination.
- • Oversee container stuffing and stripping at CFS or shipper facilities and verify load plans.
- • Handle reefer pre-trip inspections, temperature settings, and monitoring instructions.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
