What is SeaRates.com?
SeaRates.com is a digital logistics marketplace + shipping platform.
- Founded: 2005
- Owned by: DP World (since ~2020)
- Type: Freight platform / logistics SaaS
π What it does:
- Compare shipping rates (sea, air, land)
- Book shipments online
- Track containers
- Connect shippers ↔ freight forwarders ↔ carriers
- Provide APIs, tools, and a network (Digital Freight Alliance)
π¦ Think of it like:
“Booking.com or Expedia — but for cargo shipping”
✔ It connects people who want to ship goods with logistics providers worldwide
π’ Which sea carriers work with SeaRates?
SeaRates does NOT own ships.
It aggregates hundreds of global carriers + logistics companies.
π Major ocean carriers on SeaRates:
- Maersk
- MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)
- CMA CGM
- COSCO Shipping
- Hapag-Lloyd
- Evergreen
- ONE (Ocean Network Express)
- Yang Ming
- ZIM
π Plus many logistics companies:
- DHL
- DB Schenker
- DSV
- Kuehne+Nagel
- CEVA Logistics
π In total:
- Hundreds of carriers & forwarders listed in their directory
- Includes NVOCCs, brokers, trucking, air freight, and ocean lines
π‘ Key idea:
SeaRates is a marketplace + aggregator, not a carrier
π€ How SeaRates works with carriers
SeaRates connects through:
1. Digital Freight Alliance (DFA)
- Network of freight forwarders & carriers
- Share rates, capacity, and shipments
- Built after DP World acquisition
2. APIs & integrations
- Shipping schedules
- Tracking data
- Rate engines
3. Marketplace model
-
Carriers upload:
- Rates
- Routes
- Capacity
- Users search and book
⚔️ Competitors of SeaRates
π Direct competitors (same business model)
These are very important if you're building a startup:
1. Freight marketplaces
- Freightos
- iContainers
- Flexport (more premium/logistics-managed)
π These offer:
- Instant freight quotes
- Booking
- Digital forwarding
π Freightos & iContainers are top SEO competitors
π‘ Tracking & data platforms (partial competitors)
- VesselFinder
- MarineTraffic
- Terminal49
- Vizion API
π These focus more on:
- Tracking ships/containers
- Data visibility
π’ Actual carriers (indirect competitors)
- MSC
- Maersk
- CMA CGM
π Why?
Because customers can:
Skip SeaRates and book directly with carriers
π§ Logistics software competitors
- Shiprocket
- Stamps.com
- Endicia
π More focused on:
- Shipping software / fulfillment tools
π§ Simple Breakdown (VERY IMPORTANT)
| Category | Examples | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace (SeaRates type) | SeaRates, Freightos | Connect buyers ↔ carriers |
| Carriers | Maersk, MSC | Move the cargo |
| Forwarders | DHL, Kuehne+Nagel | Manage logistics |
| Tracking tools | VesselFinder | Show ship location |
π‘ Key Insight (for your business idea π)
If you're building something with:
- OPSWAT + Splunk + n8n + Stripe
π SeaRates shows you a proven model:
You don’t need ships.
You need:
- Network (carriers)
- Platform (automation)
- Data (rates + tracking)
- Payments (Stripe)


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