Amazon Takes To The Sea

E-commerce giant

is on a mission to improve margins by cutting down on shipping costs; and this week proved that the firm is serious about taking control of its own logistics. The company is now

with the federal agency that oversees ocean transportation, meaning that the firm could soon be able to move products between the US and abroad by boat.

Amazon is likely to use its new registration in order to move products in or out of the US, a service called freight forwarding. Many are expecting Chinese firms to be eager to work together with Amazon to use the service, though it is unclear when Amazon is planning to establish any kind of freight forwarding business.

At the moment, freight forwarding is a $160 billion market with very few established players. Several startups have begun creating modernized freight forwarding services in order to fill the gap, and many believe that Amazon could take over as a major competitor. However, according to startup Flexport, establishing a freight forwarding business will likely take the retailer several years.

Amazon's efforts to set up a maritime transport service reflect the company's dedication to taking control of its shipping options. The firm has also been considering leasing its own cargo planes and has already set up new ways to offer ground transport without involving logistics companies like

or

. Between a new fleet of branded semi-trucks and experimentation with delivery drones, Amazon's latest decision to consider maritime shipments should come as no surprise.