Trade Ocean operates as a multinational logistics partner offering a suite of services focused on customs clearance, freight forwarding, and ships agency. While the company broadcasts national and international capability, the most relevant facets for clients in Kempton Park and the wider Gauteng region centre on efficient customs processing, end‑to‑end freight management, and trusted port and maritime support. The business presents itself as a procurement of “ownership” over the cargo journey, aiming to simplify complex cross‑border movements for organisations of varying scale.

Core services include customs clearing, freight forwarding, and ships agency. Customs clearance is described as quick and efficient for sea, air and road freight, with accreditation from South African Customs. The service emphasises expertise in interpreting the Customs Act and tariff codes, and it highlights an electronic, digital EDI system designed to expedite documentation. This digital capability is positioned as a time‑ and cost‑saving feature for clients, streamlining the paperwork that accompanies international trade. In practice, customers can expect assistance through the customs process from inland borders to port side, supported by a team familiar with South Africa’s regulatory framework.

Freight forwarding is presented as a global service, offering air, sea and road solutions from a premium network that spans more than 500 offices. Trade Ocean stresses its membership in the Global Logistics Network, which is pitched as enabling a cohesive door‑to‑door transport experience. The description implies end‑to‑end accountability for shipments, leveraging international partners to manage the movement and delivery of cargo across destinations. For businesses operating in Gauteng, this translates to a consolidated point of contact for international shipments, with emphasis on reliability and integrated logistics planning.

Shops’ agency is the third pillar in Trade Ocean’s service triad, focusing on port, customs and freight operations for a diverse range of shipping clients. The company maintains agency offices in key coastal and regional hubs—Cape Town, Durban and Walvis Bay—indicating a breadth of maritime experience across South Africa and neighbouring areas. In practical terms, ships agency support can be advantageous for local companies involved in import and export activity that requires port clearance, vessel coordination and on‑the‑ground logistics assistance.

The business promotes a B‑BBEE Level 1 accreditation, which signals a recognised commitment to transformation and supplier empowerment within the South African market. This credential may be relevant to clients seeking to align with procurement policies that favour enterprises with strong equity and empowerment programmes.

Customer feedback cited in the public materials includes positive notes from professional partners in the maritime and energy sectors. For example, Dolphin Geophysical commended Trade Ocean for smooth project mobilisations, highlighting the firm’s role in contributing to successful outcomes. Other testimonials from Oceaneering and BP personnel describe Trade Ocean as a reliable contractor of choice and a partner capable of meeting diverse operational demands in challenging environments. While these remarks illustrate a history of collaboration with heavyweight clients, they do not detail price points or service guarantees, and readers are advised to view such endorsements as illustrative evidence of competence within maritime logistics contexts.

Location and coverage: Trade Ocean maintains branches in major South African centres, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, George (Gqeberha) and Walvis Bay, with specific mention of a Johannesburg presence that supports Gauteng operations. While direct statements about Kempton Park are not provided, the Gauteng region is served through the Johannesburg office network and national/international freight capabilities. Customers in and around Kempton Park seeking integrated customs, forwarding and ships agency services can anticipate a coordinated approach to cargo handling, combined with digital documentation and international network support.

Typical job types and industry focus: the core offerings are broadly applicable to importers and exporters across sectors that rely on efficient cross‑border movement. This includes general freight operators, manufacturing supply chains, energy and maritime services, and any business requiring customs clearance, international shipping coordination or port‑side support. The company’s approach to “owning” the transportation process suggests an intent to provide a single point of contact for multimodal shipments, potentially reducing administrative friction for clients with multiple suppliers or complex routing requirements.

Practical tips for customers

• Prepare complete documentation early and use the electronic EDI system to speed clearance; ensure tariff codes and regulatory details are accurate to avoid delays.
• Leverage the Global Logistics Network to coordinate door‑to‑door transport, especially for complex routes or time‑sensitive consignments.
• Request a preliminary, free estimate to understand cost implications and service coverage for both South Africa and outbound destinations.
• Clarify the scope of ships agency support, including port calls, customs handling and on‑the‑ground execution, to align expectations with operational realities.
• Consider B‑BBEE status as part of supplier selection, particularly for organisations with transformation or compliance requirements.

Business hours and best times to engage are not specified in available materials. For professionals seeking to initiate discussions, it is reasonable to plan contact during standard weekday hours and to arrange face‑to‑face discussions at the Johannesburg or other branch locations, subject to local scheduling and client needs.