When comparing shipping options, freight rates often get the most attention. A lower ocean rate can look attractive, particularly when margins are tight. But the cheapest rate on the quotation is not necessarily the lowest-cost option once inland transport, handling, delays and delivery are taken into account. This is why port selection deserves a much closer look when planning an international shipment. For freight forwarders, choosing the right port means looking at the entire logistics chain, from the shipper’s location to the final consignee, and assessing how each port will affect cost, transit time, reliability and operational complexity.

Why port selection matters in international shipping

Ports are critical links in global supply chains. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that more than 80% of the volume of international trade in goods is transported by sea. That means what happens at a port can have a direct effect on the performance of an entire supply chain. A port may offer an attractive ocean freight rate but create additional costs elsewhere. For example, a port further from the consignee could require several additional hours of trucking, higher fuel expenditure, tolls or even an additional rail connection. The opposite can also happen. A port with a slightly higher ocean rate may have better inland connections, more frequent sailings, faster cargo handling and fewer delays. Once all the costs are considered, it may produce a more efficient overall solution. This is where port selection becomes a total-cost decision rather than a simple freight-rate comparison.

The hidden costs behind a low freight rate

A freight quotation normally represents only one part of the transportation cost. Depending on the shipment, the final logistics bill may also include:

• Origin and destination haulage
• Terminal handling charges
• Documentation and customs-related costs
• Port storage
• Demurrage and detention
• Transshipment charges
• Fuel and toll costs for inland transport
• Additional handling caused by congestion or operational delays

These costs can vary considerably depending on the gateway used. Consider an importer with two possible ports of discharge. Port A has an ocean freight rate of $1,800, while Port B costs $2,000. At first glance, Port A appears to save $200. But if Port A requires a longer inland journey, has fewer trucking options and regularly experiences congestion, the apparent saving can quickly disappear. Port B could potentially provide a shorter and more predictable route to the consignee. The key question is therefore not simply, What is the freight rate? It is, What will it cost to move this shipment from origin to final destination?

Port selection and transit times

Transit time is another area where the choice of port can make a significant difference. The World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index found that, across potential trade routes, an average of 44 days elapsed between a container entering the export country’s port and leaving the destination port. The World Bank also noted that the biggest delays in international supply chains occur at seaports, airports and multimodal facilities. That makes the efficiency of the chosen gateway particularly important.

A port may have excellent infrastructure but limited direct services to the required destination. Another may offer more frequent sailings or better liner shipping connectivity. A third might require transshipment but provide a more suitable combination of schedules and inland connections. For freight forwarders, this means transit time should be assessed across the complete route rather than based solely on the vessel’s sailing time. A shipment that spends 25 days at sea is not necessarily a 25-day shipment. Cargo also needs to be collected, delivered to the terminal, processed, loaded, discharged, cleared and transported to its final destination.

Congestion can change the calculation

Port congestion is one of the clearest reasons why a seemingly attractive route can become expensive. UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Transport 2025 reported that average waiting times at ports increased in both developed and developing economies in early 2024. Between December 2023 and March 2024, average waiting time rose from 5.2 to 6.4 hours in developed economies and from 10.2 to 10.9 hours in developing economies.

Those averages do not mean every port experiences the same level of delay. Conditions can change considerably according to season, weather, labour availability, vessel bunching, infrastructure capacity and sudden changes in shipping routes. UNCTAD also reported that port congestion contributed to higher and more volatile freight rates during 2024 and into 2025. Longer turnaround times can reduce the effective availability of shipping capacity, adding pressure to freight markets.

For shippers moving time-sensitive cargo, this makes reliability an important part of the cost calculation. A slightly more expensive route with consistent operations may be preferable for a shipment where missing a production deadline, retail launch or customer delivery window would create significant costs.

How to assess port selection in logistics

There is no single port that is automatically the right choice for every shipment. A useful port selection strategy should consider several factors together.

1. Distance to the cargo origin and destination

Look at the complete inland journey, not just the distance between the port and the final consignee. A port that is geographically closer may not have the most efficient road or rail connection.

2. Ocean service frequency

Check how often carriers operate the required service. A port with more frequent sailings can provide greater flexibility when cargo is delayed or booking schedules change.

3. Direct versus transshipment services

A direct service may reduce handling and eliminate some transshipment risk. However, a transshipment route can sometimes provide better schedules, rates or destination coverage.

4. Port congestion and reliability

Historical performance matters. The World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index demonstrates that port efficiency can vary substantially, while its logistics research highlights the importance of reliable infrastructure and transport connections.

5. Customs and documentation procedures

The speed and predictability of clearance can influence how quickly cargo leaves the port. A gateway with efficient digital processes and well-established customs procedures may reduce administrative delays.

6. Inland transport availability

Check the availability and cost of trucks, rail services, depots and warehouses. The most efficient port is often the one that connects smoothly to the next stage of the journey.

Choosing the right port is about the whole supply chain

For freight forwarders, port selection should be approached as part of route planning rather than as a standalone decision. This is particularly important when comparing multiple gateways for the same destination. A proper comparison should look at the ocean freight rate alongside inland transport, port charges, expected transit time, service frequency, congestion risk and the customer’s delivery requirements. It can also be useful to model different scenarios. What happens if the vessel is delayed by two days? What if cargo has to be stored at the terminal? What if a transshipment connection is missed? What if trucking capacity becomes limited? These questions help reveal costs that may not appear on the initial freight quotation.

The role of freight forwarders

This is where freight forwarders can provide value beyond simply booking space with a carrier. A freight forwarder can compare different gateways, understand local operating conditions and assess the practical implications of each routing option. Their knowledge of ports, carriers, inland transport providers and destination agents can help shippers move beyond a simple rate comparison.

Remember that port selection is about finding the right balance between cost, speed and reliability. The lowest ocean freight rate can be attractive, but it is only one piece of the logistics equation. When port performance, inland connections, congestion, handling and delivery requirements are considered together, shippers can make decisions based on the actual cost and practicality of the complete supply chain. For freight forwarders, that broader view is also an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise: not just finding a rate, but finding a route that works.