Sea Freight Services in UAE
Reliable and Strategic sea freight forwarding company in UAE for importers, exporters and Free Zone businesses
GHS Logistics Services FZE provides end-to-end sea freight solutions for companies that import to, export from and re-export through the UAE. Our core ocean services focus on Full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipments routed through Jebel Ali Port (Dubai) and RAK Port / Saqr Port (Ras Al Khaimah) — offering competitive rates, customs expertise, and specialised support for RAKEZ and other Free Zone clients.
Why choose sea freight through the UAE?
The UAE sits at the crossroads of global trade. For businesses trading between Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, shipping via Jebel Ali or RAK Port combines capacity, cost efficiency and connectivity. Sea freight is the commercial backbone for:
- Bulk and heavy cargo
- Project and break-bulk shipments
- Cost-sensitive replenishment for retailers and manufacturers
- Importers/exporters needing reliable consolidation (LCL) or dedicated containers (FCL)
Recent port performance — what the numbers show
Jebel Ali has reasserted its position as a major global container hub. DP World’s terminals — led by Jebel Ali — recorded a record performance in 2024, handling approximately 15.5 million TEUs, up roughly 1.0 million TEUs from the prior year. Jebel Ali’s 2023 throughput was reported at about 14.47 million TEUs. These figures signal stronger capacity and routing options for shippers using Dubai as their primary ocean gateway.
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) has also expanded rapidly — led by Saqr Port — and now handles tens of millions of tonnes of cargo annually. Saqr Port has grown into one of the Middle East’s largest bulk and project cargo ports, reporting throughput figures in excess of 60–75 million tonnes in recent reporting, and ongoing investment plans (Saqr 2.0) will further increase berth capacity and project cargo handling. This expansion makes RAK an attractive FCL gateway for northern UAE industries and heavy project cargo.
(These port statistics demonstrate why shippers can confidently route FCL and LCL through UAE ports—Jebel Ali for containerised global trade, and RAK/Saqr for heavy, bulk and project shipments.)
Our sea freight capabilities — FCL & LCL solutions
Full Container Load (FCL)
- Door-to-door or port-to-port FCL services (20′, 40′, 40’HC, open top, flat rack, reefers).
- Direct sailings and consolidated ocean services for priority lanes (Europe, Mediterranean, Far East, Americas).
- Project cargo handling: surveying, heavy-lift coordination, break-bulk solutions, and load planning.
Less-than-Container Load (LCL)
- Regular LCL consolidation from major origin markets to Jebel Ali and RAK Port.
- Cost-effective for e-commerce, sample shipments and seasonal inventory top-ups.
- Efficient deconsolidation and documentation handling to speed customs clearance and delivery.
Why Jebel Ali and RAK Port — complementary gateways
Jebel Ali (Dubai) is the natural choice for containerised imports/exports because of its volume, global liner connectivity and high frequency of sailings — particularly suited for retailers, consumer goods exporters and time-sensitive cargo. The port’s record TEU throughput in 2023–24 provides shippers with more sailings and routing options.
RAK Port / Saqr Port offers strengths that complement Jebel Ali: deep-water berths, exceptional break-bulk and bulk capacity, and direct access to northern UAE manufacturing zones. For RAKEZ-based companies and industrial exporters, Saqr is an efficient gateway for heavy equipment, project cargo, and bulk consignments — often with faster berthing and specialist handling.
How GHSL supports RAKEZ & UAE Free Zone companies
We offer tailored sea freight packages for Free Zone clients — RAKEZ, JAFZA, DMCC and others — including:
- Inbound consolidation: combine multiple suppliers into FCL or LCL loads for cost savings.
- Export planning: HS code advisory, export documentation, COO and certificate handling for Free Zone re-exports.
- RAKEZ-focused operations: dedicated pick-up, on-site export packing and feeder services to Saqr Port, optimised for manufacturers and fabricators in Arab Emirates . (We coordinate gate paperwork to free zone terminals and expedite release).
- Project cargo management: route planning, heavy-lift coordination, vessel nomination and on-dock services for OOG shipments.
- Customs & compliance: proactive documentation checks to reduce dwell time and demurrage.
Value drivers — cost, control and compliance
Cost optimisation: We consolidate where appropriate to lower per-unit ocean freight for LCL shipments and negotiate competitive FCL rates for repeat export lanes.
Inventory control: Align ocean transit times with inventory planning and lead-time to reduce working capital.
Compliance: Our freight teams pre-validate regulatory and customs requirements for EU, UK, US, Canada and Mediterranean markets — reducing corrective charges and release delays.
Operational excellence — how we manage your shipment
- Route & mode selection — balancing time and cost (FCL vs LCL, feeder vs direct).
- Booking & space management — we secure vessel space during peak seasons.
- Export documentation — accurate invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin and any export licences.
- Port & terminal coordination — build inbound/outbound plans for Jebel Ali and Saqr Port to minimise dwell.
- Cargo handling — specialised crating, lashing, and heavy-lift services where required.
- Tracking & reporting — milestone updates from vessel loading to final delivery.
- Digital Freight Portal — full dashboard provides full insight about your shipment and its documentations.
Sustainability & future readiness
Both Jebel Ali and RAK Ports are investing in capacity and technology (automation, larger berths, better terminal ops). RAK’s Saqr 2.0 project and Jebel Ali’s digital/operational upgrades will improve resilience and reduce port dwell for shippers — advantages we pass on to clients via quicker turnaround and lower hidden costs. The Maritime StandardDP World
Upgrade Your Sea Shipment Service, and
Whether you are importing raw materials into a RAKEZ factory, exporting FCL shipments to Europe, or consolidating LCL cargo for global e-commerce markets, GHS Logistics Services FZE offers a reliable UAE sea freight partner.
Contact us to arrange one stop shop for :
- Quick quotes
- Faster transit-time
- Rates available for (Jebel Ali and Saqr )
- FCL & LCL consolidation plans
- Project cargo surveys and quotations
- Free zone export handling packages for RAKEZ, JAFZA, DMCC and others
- Custom Clearance support
- Hauling and Trucking
Call our Customer Support or request a quote online — let us design the ocean solution that matches your supply chain strategy.