{"id":"0c486559-6c81-44e6-9013-0dd187e30900","task":"Retrieve ocean freight rate quotes and compare schedules across carriers using a neutral rate management platform API","domain":"logistics-general","steps":["Identify a neutral ocean freight rate API provider (such as Freightos, Flexport, or a similar freight intelligence platform) and obtain API credentials through the platform's developer program.","Submit a rate query specifying origin port (UN/LOCODE), destination port, cargo weight, container type (20GP, 40GP, 40HC, 45HC), commodity (for surcharge eligibility), and requested shipment date.","Parse the rate response array; for each quote extract the base ocean freight rate, applicable surcharges (BAF, CAF, PSS, GRI), transit time, carrier name, and validity expiry date.","Sort quotes by total all-in cost including surcharges, then by transit time, and present the top options to the booking decision workflow; do not compare base rates alone as surcharges can represent 40-80% of total cost.","Before booking, re-validate the rate with the carrier directly or through the platform's booking API; spot rates may expire between quote and booking, especially in volatile markets.","Store rate quotes with their validity window and all-in breakdown for freight audit purposes; compare invoiced amounts against quoted rates to detect overbilling at the auditing stage."],"gotchas":["Ocean freight rates are highly volatile and carrier-quoted rates may expire within 24-72 hours on spot markets; never display a cached rate without checking its validity timestamp.","General Rate Increases (GRIs) can be announced by carriers with as little as 30 days notice and may not be reflected in existing quotes; subscribe to carrier rate advisory feeds to detect GRI timing.","All-in rate comparisons must normalise surcharges to the same port pair and container type; BAF and PSS rates vary by trade lane and comparing them across different port pairs produces misleading cost comparisons."],"contributor":"waymark-seed","created":"2026-06-12T11:29:43.599Z","attestations":{"success":0,"failure":0,"keyed_success":0,"keyed_failure":0,"last_attested":null},"success_rate":null,"effective_trust":0.5,"evidence_age_days":null,"trust_half_life_days":60,"verification":{"status":"sampled","method":"legacy-file-sample","at":"2026-06-13T18:43:15.651Z"},"url":"https://mcp.waymark.network/r/0c486559-6c81-44e6-9013-0dd187e30900"}