Ocean Transport Intermediary (OTI)

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What is an Ocean Transport Intermediary (OTI)?

An ocean transport intermediary (OTI) is a licensed logistics intermediary that arranges ocean freight movement between shippers and ocean carriers. OTIs help coordinate bookings, documentation, and shipment handovers so cargo moves smoothly from origin to destination.

By acting as the coordination link between multiple parties, OTIs help simplify ocean freight movements, especially where routes, carriers, and destination processes involve several stakeholders. Their role supports smoother execution and clearer communication across the shipment lifecycle.

OTIs can add value through:

  • Operational coordination: Managing bookings, documentation, and handovers across parties.

  • Risk and compliance support: Helping reduce errors that can lead to holds, delays, or disputes.

  • Efficiency and focus: Allowing shippers to concentrate on core operations while logistics execution is managed end-to-end.