Reliable Ocean Freight Forwarding
Whether you’re running regular shipments or just a one-off, HGL Oceania provides reliable and flexible worldwide ocean freight services.
Ocean freight for every cargo type
Ocean freight is the most cost-effective way to move large volumes of goods across long distances, and the backbone of most international supply chains. At HGL Oceania, we manage the full movement —from booking and export documentation through to customs clearance and final delivery —across both New Zealand and Australia.
With an office close to Auckland’s container terminals and established carrier relationships across 900+ destinations, we handle everything from standard FCL and LCL shipments to non-containerised cargo, Ro-Ro, breakbulk, hazardous goods, and cross-trades worldwide. Whether it’s a regular import programme or a specialist one-off shipment, one team manages it from port to door.
What We Can Ship
HGL Oceania’s ocean freight capability covers the full range of cargo types and service models —from regular containerised freight to specialist, out-of-gauge, and hazardous shipments.
Full container loads (FCL)
Sole-use containers for higher-volume shipments, with control over loading, routing, and transit.
Less-than-container loads (LCL)
Cost-effective shared container space for smaller consignments, consolidated with other cargo.
Supplier consolidations
Grouping goods from multiple overseas suppliers into a single container to reduce freight costs and simplify documentation at the NZ or AU end.
Abnormal loads and non-containerised cargo
Freight that won’t fit a standard container, managed with the specialist handling, vessel selection, and port logistics it requires.
Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off)
Wheeled cargo including vehicles, machinery, and plant equipment that rolls directly onto the vessel.
Breakbulk
Individual or palletised pieces shipped as loose cargo where container loading isn’t practical or possible.
Vessel charter or part charter
For high-volume or specialist project cargo requiring dedicated vessel capacity.
Hazardous, dangerous, and sensitive cargo
Managed in accordance with IMO regulations, covering documentation, packing requirements, and carrier compliance.
Customs clearance
Handled in-house as part of the full movement, by the same team managing your freight.
Commercial documentation
Bills of lading, export and import licences, certificates of origin, and all supporting paperwork prepared and managed end-to-end.
Marine and transit insurance
Arranged as required to protect your cargo through the full voyage.
Coastal services
Domestic coastal shipping within New Zealand where sea freight is the most practical or cost-effective option.
Cross-trade solutions
Ocean freight movements between third countries, coordinated through our international carrier network without needing to route through NZ or AU.
In Practice
Ocean freight supports a wide range of import, export, and cross-trade movements. Here’s where businesses typically call on us.
Regular FCL imports for retailers and distributors
Importers bringing stock from Asia, Europe, or the Americas on an ongoing schedule —we manage the full import cycle, from shipper coordination and documentation through to customs clearance and delivery to the warehouse.
LCL for smaller or irregular volumes
When a full container isn’t justified, we consolidate smaller consignments with other cargo —handling the booking, documentation, and delivery as a single managed movement.
Supplier consolidation
Businesses sourcing from multiple overseas suppliers —we consolidate goods into a single container at origin, reducing freight costs and simplifying the paperwork at the NZ or AU end.
Non-standard and specialist cargo
From a 30ft yacht shipped from the UK to Auckland to heavy machinery that won’t fit a standard box —we manage specialist handling, vessel selection, and port logistics for cargo that falls outside normal parameters.
See case study below.
Dangerous goods by sea
Chemicals, lithium batteries, and other IMO-regulated cargo requiring specialist documentation, packing compliance, and carrier acceptance —handled by a team with the knowledge and carrier relationships to do it properly.
Cross-trade shipments
Ocean freight movements between third countries for businesses with supply chains that don’t start or end in NZ or AU —managed through our international carrier network.
Have a shipment that needs managing properly?
Talk to the HGL Oceania air freight team.
Why Choose HGL Oceania for Ocean Freight
Based at Auckland’s container terminals
Our office sits close to Auckland’s container terminals —giving us direct working relationships with port operators, shipping lines, and customs. That proximity matters when timing is tight or something needs resolving quickly at the port.
900+ destinations, with competitive carrier rates
With established relationships with major shipping lines across 900+ destinations, we find the right service at the right rate for your cargo —optimising for cost, transit time, and service quality.
Every cargo type, not just standard boxes
FCL, LCL, Ro-Ro, breakbulk, out-of-gauge, and hazardous goods —we have the experience, carrier relationships, and operational knowledge to handle cargo that doesn’t fitthe standard template.
Documentation and customs handled in-house
Commercial documentation, customs clearance, export and import licences, marine insurance —all managed by the same team. One point of accountability, across every part of the movement.
Cross-trade capability, globally
Through our international carrier network, we coordinate ocean freight between third countries —managing movements that don’t start or end in NZ or AU through a single point of contact.
How We Manage Your Ocean Freight
Enquiry and routing advice
We take the details —cargo type, dimensions, weight, origin, destination, timeline, and any special requirements. We advise on the right service (FCL, LCL, Ro-Ro, charter) and flag any regulatory requirements upfront.
Booking and documentation
Carrier space is secured and the booking confirmed. We prepare all export documentation —bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, any dangerous goods declarations or specialist permits.
Pre-shipment coordination
We coordinate collection from your supplier or origin point, delivery to the port of departure, and container loading or specialist handling for non-standard cargo.
In-transit monitoring
We track your shipment through its voyage, keeping you informed and managing any vessel changes, port diversions, or delays as they arise.
Arrival and customs clearance
On arrival at the NZ or AU port, we handle all import documentation, customs clearance, and any duty or GST obligations —managed in-house by the same team.
Container transport and delivery
Once cleared, we coordinate onward container transport or road cartage to your warehouse, distribution centre, or final destination.
Case Studies
Real challenges. Real outcomes.
Heavy Machine Export to Australia
Exporting a heavy machine to Australia meant navigating some of the world's most demanding biosecurity requirements — where even trace contamination can result in immediate rejection at the border. Our team disassembled the machine entirely, cleaned every internal and external surface, and produced detailed documentation at each stage to demonstrate full compliance with Australian standards. The machine cleared biosecurity inspection without issue, arriving on schedule and ready to work.
Andy Warhol Artwork Shipment
When a client needed to ship original Andy Warhol pieces internationally, the challenge wasn't just physical protection — it was the precision required at every stage, from collection through to customs documentation. We coordinated white-glove collection,oversaw the construction of custom biosecurity-compliant crates, and ensured every piece of paperwork matched each artwork exactly. The collection arrived intact, cleared without complication, and was professionally unpacked and installed at its destination gallery.
Ready to talk ocean freight?
Whether it’s a regular import programme or a specialist cargo movement, get in touch with the HGL Oceania team.
Explore Our Other Services
Container Transport
Port-to-door and door-to-port container movement across NZ. Drop and swap, sideloader, reefer containers, and coastal services —backed by ATF status at major ports of entry.
Road Cartage
Domestic freight across New Zealand and Australia —from standard runs and full container loads to dangerous goods, out-of-gauge, and bonded transport. Coordinated end-to-end by the team managing your account.
Warehousing Services
ATF-accredited warehousing at Auckland Airport, Wellington, and Christchurch. Import holding, bonded storage, 3PL fulfilment, pick and pack, and e-commerce distribution.
Total Logistics Management
Your complete freight operation managed by one team —international and domestic, air and ocean, warehousing, customs, and cartage —under a single point of responsibility.