Sea freight

• 72% of France's imports and exports are carried out by sea, representing 365 million tonnes.
• Marseille (Fos-sur-Mer), with over 80 million tonnes handled, is France's leading port and Europe's fourth-largest, ahead of Le Havre, Bordeaux and Nantes. The ports of Antwerp, Genoa and Barcelona capture part of the national traffic.
• Marseille-based CMA/CGM is the world's third-largest shipowner. Today, the French shipping industry represents some one hundred companies.
• In Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, Toulouse and Chalons-sur-Saône, empty containers can be returned to indoor fleets, saving on the cost of round-trip trucks.
• Combined barge/road and rail/road container pickup and delivery options are available for cost-effective solutions with a positive carbon footprint.

MATHEZ FREIGHT, a FIATA-approved OAS-Full freight forwarder, provides both sea transport and customs transit for your goods, giving you even greater security and speed.

In a context of concentration, mergers and alliances between the major players in the shipping industry, only an independent forwarder can approach all the shipowners and obtain the best rates.

Independent freight agents also have better local knowledge of the players, routes and commercial conditions in each zone. By working as part of a network, they can guarantee shippers optimum responsiveness on a global scale.

MATHEZ FREIGHT, an independent agent with expertise throughout France, has developed worldwide networks to guarantee optimal pricing and quality.

FIATA approval secures relations between shippers and those involved in maritime transport, with FIATA regulations serving as a reference in the event of a dispute.

The "AEO" accreditation (Authorized Economic Operator) is granted by the Customs Administration to companies that meet strict customs criteria and demonstrate consistent quality, compliance and reliability in the international supply chain. Working with an"AEO - Full" forwarder gives you the following advantages as a shipper:

• Fluidification of your customs operations,
• Reduced and optimized physical and documentary controls for your goods,
• Recognized throughout the European Union and worldwide.
  "AEO-Full" approval will be highly appreciated by your foreign customers or buyers.

MATHEZ FREIGHT, a FIATA authorized agent for over 40 years, has held AEO-Full status since 2013, which includes the AEO "customs simplification" certificate and the AEO "security-safety" certificate. When working with MATHEZ FREIGHT, you can rest assured that all your customs transactions across the EU and beyond will be carried out with precision, reliability and professionalism, according to the highest standards.

The transport of goods, whether domestic or international, and whatever the mode of transport (sea, air or land), is governed by international conventions that limit the liability of the carrier and the freight forwarder (except in the case of inexcusable fault), in which case compensation for a claim is usually much lower than the loss actually suffered.

Furthermore, if the carrier or freight forwarder is not liable (exoneration in case of force majeure, common damage), you will not receive any compensation.

This principle of liability limitation is naturally and legally included in our GTC(TLF). By way of example, for all damage to goods attributable to any operation as a result of loss or damage, and for all consequences that may result therefrom, limitation to €20 per kilogram of gross weight of missing or damaged goods.

You may, however, take out a declaration of value (" ad valorem insurance ") which has the effect of substituting the amount of this declaration for the indemnity ceilings; in this case, and barring specific exclusions*, you will be indemnified on the basis you wish to insure (e.g. cost and freight + 10%).

* Exclusions: inherent defect of the goods, influence of temperature, shrinkage, insufficient packaging, intentional or inexcusable fault of the customer, war, seizure, nuclear contamination, piracy, riots, strikes;

It should also be noted that you can take out a special interest in delivery (ISL) in the event that you wish to be compensated for loss resulting from a delay in delivery (material damage and commercial loss in particular), especially if you are given an imperative deadline for your delivery.

There are 9 classes of regulated products: explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizing materials, toxic and infectious materials, radioactive materials, corrosive materials and miscellaneous dangerous goods. Many chemical and pharmaceutical products fall into these categories.
These materials or articles are regulated because they present a potential risk to the health and safety of people, infrastructures and/or their means of transport.

Maritime transport of dangerous goods is governed by the IMO International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and other national and international regulations. Freight forwarders and their contractors involved in the preparation and transport of dangerous goods by sea, including road hauliers, must comply with these regulations, and undergo regular training to ensure that their shipments comply, so that they can be handled quickly and easily by shipping companies.

MATHEZ FREIGHT agencies are able to organize the transport of your dangerous goods by sea, because they have the necessary accreditations and trained, authorized personnel.