Products
At A-Z Cargo (Import & Export) & General Merchant Limited, we pride ourselves on offering specialized logistics and merchant services across the full spectrum of the United Kingdom’s most significant export commodities. Built upon more than fifteen years of experience—since our incorporation on 18 June 2009 in London—we understand that each product category poses unique challenges, from regulatory compliance and handling requirements to packaging, transport modes, and customs intricacies. Below is an in-depth overview of the ten core product lines we manage. Each category links to its own dedicated page for exhaustive details on our capabilities, case studies, and tailored service offerings
Crude Oil
Global Market Overview
Crude oil remains one of the world’s most heavily traded commodities, with global seaborne volumes surpassing 200 million barrels per day in 2024. The United Kingdom, leveraging its North Sea output, exported approximately £15.1 billion in crude oil—primarily Brent and Ula-grade—to refineries across Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia. Demand is fueled by the high yield of gasoline and diesel from light, sweet crude grades.
Regulatory & Compliance Requirements
Crude oil exports are governed by strict environmental, safety, and customs regulations to ensure lawful and efficient international trade.
- Environmental & Safety Standards: Compliance with MARPOL, including a certified Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) under international marine pollution prevention protocols.
- Export Documentation: Includes an Export Health Certificate, Commercial Invoice, Certificate of Origin, and Bill of Lading, alongside third-party-certified quality specs such as API gravity and sulphur content.
- Customs & Excise: Proper use of HS code 2709 and timely HMRC notifications ensure duty-free classification and prevent misclassification penalties.
Logistics & Handling Challenges
Managing crude oil exports involves high-stakes coordination between vessels, terminals, and quality control entities.
- Port & Terminal Coordination: Berth scheduling for VLCC and Suezmax tankers must align with tide windows and terminal capacity to avoid costly anchorage delays.
- Survey & Sampling Protocols: Independent marine surveyors conduct multi-point sampling and quantity verification before loading and upon discharge.
- Demurrage & Laytime Management: Avoiding or reducing demurrage hinges on accurate laytime tracking, charter negotiation, and proactive port operations.
A-Z Cargo’s Tailored Solutions
- Integrated Chartering Services: Partnerships with global shipbrokers enable us to secure favourable terms for spot or long-term crude transport charters.
- Dedicated Nomination Management: End-to-end oversight of berth nominations, pre-arrival formalities, and terminal slot confirmations ensures fluid terminal operations.
- Real-Time Tracking & Reporting: Clients have access to live AIS vessel tracking, ETA updates, and automated alerts via our customer portal.
- Demurrage Control Desk: Our expert team audits laytime claims, negotiates with charterers, and coordinates with insurers to contest unjust penalties.
Case Study: Mediterranean Refinery Supply
Following a pipeline outage, a Mediterranean refinery required 2 million barrels of light sweet crude within 10 days. A-Z Cargo:
- Secured a spot VLCC charter with a rapid 72-hour mobilization clause.
- Facilitated third-party lab analysis and delivery of certified quality reports within 48 hours.
- Handled berth nomination and supervised pre-loading surveys at Rotterdam.
- Monitored voyage progress via AIS, enabling early coordination with refinery staff and discharge 48 hours ahead of schedule—saving the client an estimated £1.2 million in lost production costs.
This rapid-response shipment ensured uninterrupted refinery throughput and strengthened long-term procurement reliability.