Full-Container Load (FCL) Shipping
Dedicated container solutions for large-volume shipments, ensuring maximum security and faster transit times.
Ocean Freight Services
W.M. Stone ensures your cargo moves seamlessly across global trade routes.
Shipping goods across oceans requires efficiency, precision, and a trusted logistics partner. As both a licensed customs broker and freight forwarder, W.M. Stone manages the full journey, from booking and documentation through clearance and final delivery.
Your Trusted Partner for Ocean Freight Solutions.
International trade relies on efficient ocean freight logistics. Whether you're shipping full-container loads (FCL) or less-than-container loads (LCL), our global network and industry expertise ensure your cargo arrives safely, on time, and within budget.
W.M. Stone brings 250+ years of industry experience to every ocean shipment we handle. That depth of experience means our team has seen nearly every routing challenge, carrier disruption, and documentation snag an importer or exporter can face, and knows how to solve it before it delays your cargo. As a licensed U.S. customs broker and freight forwarder in one, we coordinate booking, carrier selection, documentation, and clearance under a single point of contact, so you are not managing separate vendors for freight and compliance. Simplify ocean freight with W.M. Stone: one team, one point of accountability, and a global carrier network built to keep your supply chain moving.
Flexible FCL & LCL Solutions
We offer tailored shipping options, whether you need a dedicated container for high-volume cargo or a cost-saving consolidated shipment.
Cost Optimization & Carrier Partnerships
Our relationships with major global carriers allow us to secure competitive rates and optimize your freight spend.
Customs Compliance & Documentation
From paperwork to regulatory requirements, our brokerage team ensures smooth customs clearance and hassle-free transit.
250+ Years of Industry Experience
Our team's long-standing roots give you a partner who has managed ocean freight through every kind of market and regulatory shift.
Our Ocean Freight Services.
From single pallets to full vessel bookings, our ocean freight capabilities cover every stage of the container shipping process.
Less-Than-Container Load (LCL) Shipping
Cost-efficient cargo consolidation for smaller shipments, reducing expenses while maintaining efficiency.
Reefer & Specialized Cargo Handling
Temperature-controlled and specialized cargo solutions for perishable or oversized goods.
Customs Clearance & Documentation
Expert brokerage services to ensure smooth customs compliance and minimize clearance delays.
Freight Consolidation & Warehousing
Integrated logistics solutions combining ocean freight with warehousing and distribution for supply chain efficiency.
Global Freight Forwarding & Tracking
End-to-end shipment tracking and real-time updates to provide full visibility from origin to destination.
One Partner, Every Mode.
Ocean freight is often just one leg of the journey. When your cargo needs to move by air, rail, or road too, W.M. Stone coordinates it under the same roof.
Ocean Freight
FCL and LCL container shipping across global trade routes, backed by carrier relationships and full customs support.
Air Freight
Expedited and standard air cargo options for time-sensitive shipments that can't wait on a vessel schedule.
Rail Freight
Inland rail connections that move containers efficiently from the port to distribution points across the country.
Road Freight
Drayage and over-the-road trucking that closes the gap between port, rail ramp, warehouse, and final destination.
The W.M. Stone Commitment.
We streamline ocean freight logistics so your business can thrive globally.
Optimize Shipping Costs
Our strategic planning and volume consolidation help you reduce ocean freight expenses while maintaining reliability and speed.
Ensure On-Time Deliveries
We leverage advanced route optimization and real-time tracking to prevent delays and ensure cargo security.
Enhance Trade Compliance
Our team handles all regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance with international shipping standards.
Industries We Move by Ocean.
Ocean freight underpins supply chains across a wide range of industries we serve.
Retail & Consumer Goods
Container shipments for retail and direct-to-consumer distributionIndustrial Raw Materials
Bulk and containerized raw material importsManufacturing & Machinery
Inbound components and outbound finished equipmentAutomotive Logistics
Parts and components moving on tight production schedulesCommonly Asked Questions.
Answers to the questions we hear most often from importers and exporters planning ocean shipments.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL shipping?
FCL (full-container load) means your cargo has an entire container to itself, which is typically faster and more secure for large-volume shipments. LCL (less-than-container load) consolidates your goods with other shippers' cargo in a shared container, which lowers costs for smaller shipments that don't require a full container.
Does W.M. Stone handle customs clearance for ocean shipments?
Yes. W.M. Stone is a licensed U.S. customs broker as well as a freight forwarder, so we manage documentation, HTS classification, and clearance alongside the freight movement itself, rather than handing that off to a separate vendor.
Can you handle temperature-controlled or specialized cargo?
Yes. Our reefer and specialized cargo handling supports perishable and oversized goods that require particular equipment or handling procedures at every step of the ocean move.
Do you offer warehousing along with ocean freight?
Yes. Our freight consolidation and warehousing services integrate ocean freight with storage and distribution, so your cargo can move seamlessly from the port into your supply chain.
How do I track my ocean shipment?
Our global freight forwarding and tracking capability provides real-time updates from origin to destination, giving you visibility into your cargo's status at every stage of transit.
How do I get a quote or get started?
Call us at (757) 800-6080 or reach out through our contact page. Our team will walk through your cargo, routing, and timeline to put together an ocean freight solution suited to your business.
Our Accreditations.
Move Your Cargo with Confidence.
Ocean freight shipping doesn't have to be complicated. With W.M. Stone's trusted global network and 250+ years of industry experience, you can focus on growth while we handle the complexities of international shipping.