Multimodal & Intermodal Transport · Service enquiries
Sea–Air Freight
Sea–air freight combines an ocean leg with an onward flight through a suitable transfer gateway. Zenith Eclipse assesses whether the complete sequence meets the shipment's cost and delivery objective. Eligibility for ocean carriage does not establish air acceptance, and the additional transfer must be planned before the first booking is committed.
Scope and responsibilities
Service scope and requirements
Sea–air is a route-specific option. The quoted comparison includes gateway dwell and handling rather than promising a fixed saving against air-only or ocean-only freight.
| Scope item | Requirement or agreed coverage |
|---|---|
| Cargo acceptance | Commodity, dimensions and regulatory status acceptable to both modes |
| Gateway choice | Port-to-airport transfer capability and available onward flights |
| Cargo conversion | Container unloading, tally, repacking or air-pallet build-up scope |
| Weight basis | Ocean charging quantity and separately assessed air chargeable weight |
| Customs arrangement | Transfer, transit or clearance procedure and declaration ownership |
| Connection allowance | Discharge, release, screening and airline acceptance time |
| Condition protection | Packaging, handling exposure and controlled storage where required |
| Commercial comparison | All transport, gateway handling, storage and delivery charges |
Best-fit requirements
When to use this service
Suitable for accepted commercial shipments where an available gateway and flight combination can meet a delivery target that ocean-only service cannot. It is less suitable when the cargo cannot tolerate unpacking or the onward air leg rejects its dimensions or classification.
Execution and deliverables
How the work is coordinated
Secure the transfer design and conditional onward capacity before ocean dispatch. At the gateway, reconcile package counts and condition, complete the required customs and security steps, and tender cargo under the accepted air booking. The operating plan identifies who approves extra storage or rerouting if vessel arrival misses the intended connection. Sea containers generally do not continue as airline loading units; the actual handling arrangement is stated explicitly.
Prepare your enquiry
Provide origin, final destination, cargo details, packed dimensions, weight and delivery deadline. Include handling restrictions, value, regulated-goods information and the minimum service or cost improvement needed to justify a gateway transfer.
Compare related options on our multimodal & intermodal transport services page.
Operating reference: IATA: cargo operations and acceptance processes.