Helmsman Freight Solutions

What Helmsman Freight Solutions does

Helmsman Freight Solutions, LLC is a privately held boutique freight forwarder and cold chain logistics specialist headquartered at 2701 S Le Jeune Rd, 12th Floor, Coral Gables, Florida. Founded in 2013 and operating as an FMC-licensed Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) with a $75,000 surety bond, the company serves shippers of perishable goods and global import/export clients across 50+ countries through an aggregated network of 500+ vetted carrier partners. Its service portfolio spans five integrated pillars: Domestic Freight (FTL Reefer, multimodal, drayage, expedited, dedicated lanes), Cold Chain Distribution (multi-temperature regional networks, perishable LTL, cross-dock, monitoring across -20°F to 40°F with ±1°F variance), Global Logistics (FCL, LCL, expedited TPEB ocean, air freight, container consolidations), Customs Brokerage (FDA/USDA/FCC compliance, HTS coding, ISF filing, FTA qualification), and a Key Account Management program using a four-step Discover-Assimilate-Execute-Grow methodology with dedicated Account Directors and quarterly business reviews.

Revenue is generated through transactional freight charges (per container, per shipment) governed by Negotiated Rate Arrangements (NRAs) and a published FMC Rules Tariff, plus accessorial charges (AMS $35, AES $25, documentation $150, peak season surcharges, bunker adjustment factors, chassis usage, detention and demurrage), marine cargo insurance commissions, and customs brokerage fees. The company operates an asset-light model with no owned fleet, relying instead on its carrier network, while maintaining in-house operational control over cold chain temperature monitoring, customs compliance, and account management. Its technology stack is centered on a real-time tracking and documentation platform that delivers shipment visibility and proactive milestone communication, integrated across domestic and global lanes. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, driven through a website Request a Quote form, direct email to [email protected], and phone/fax outreach targeting enterprise shippers requiring cold chain and global logistics services.

Name

Helmsman Freight Solutions

Legal name

Helmsman Freight Solutions, LLC

Website

https://helmsmanfreightsolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Helmsman Freight Solutions is a boutique FMC-licensed NVOCC and cold chain specialist serving perishable goods and global import/export shippers across 50+ countries through integrated domestic freight, ocean/air forwarding, customs brokerage, and dedicated key account management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Forwarding & Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Specialized Freight Trucking (4842)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh Produce & Perishables Cold Chain Forwarding (TLACAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refrigerated (Chilled) Freight Forwarding (TLACAMAA), Frozen Freight Forwarding (TLACAMAB), Temperature-Controlled Air Freight (Cool Chain) (TLACAMAF), Refrigerated / Temperature-Controlled Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAH)

Keywords

• Freight forwarding services
• Cold chain logistics
• Customs brokerage
• Ocean freight services
• NVOCC services

Headquarters

HQ city

Coral Gables

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Freight Forwarding Services: Full freight forwarding services including FCL & LCL ocean freight, expedited TPEB ocean services, air freight (standard and express), and container consolidations. Revenue is generated through freight rates and charges based on container type, weight, and destination.
2. NVOCC Services: Non-vessel operating common carrier services with published Rules Tariff governing all services. Operates under FMC regulations with Negotiated Rate Arrangements (NRAs).
3. Customs Brokerage: Licensed brokerage services including import documentation, HTS coding, FDA/USDA/FCC compliance, free trade agreement qualification, ISF filing, and customs bonds.
4. Marine Cargo Insurance: Marine cargo insurance arranged upon customer request, separate from freight charges.
5. Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Logistics: Temperature-controlled domestic and international transportation services with temperature monitoring and reporting capabilities. Temperature range from -20°F to 40°F.
6. Accessorial Charges: Additional charges including AMS filing ($35), AES filing ($25), documentation charges ($150 export), chassis usage ($100/24hr), detention & demurrage, peak season surcharges, and bunker adjustment factors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Helmsman Freight Solutions is a boutique freight forwarder and NVOCC operator providing integrated domestic freight, cold chain, global logistics, customs brokerage, and key account management services. Its core offerings center on temperature-controlled supply chain solutions ("farm to fork") backed by FMC licensing, real-time shipment visibility, and a 4-step Key Account Management methodology. The company operates across 50+ countries with 500+ vetted carrier partners on all major trade lanes.

Product overview

Helmsman Freight Solutions is a boutique freight forwarder and cold chain specialist serving the global perishable supply chain. The company offers an integrated suite of logistics services built around five core product areas: Domestic Freight Services (FTL Reefer, multimodal transportation, drayage, expedited shipping), Cold Chain Distribution (multi-temperature regional networks, perishable LTL, cross-dock, temperature monitoring), Global Logistics (FCL/LCL ocean freight, expedited TPEB, air freight, NVOCC services), Customs Brokerage & Import Compliance (documentation, HTS coding, FDA/USDA compliance), and Key Account Management (Discover-Assimilate-Execute-Grow methodology). The company operates as a single-source solution for the farm-to-fork journey, integrating domestic transportation with specialized cold chain logistics to maintain product integrity from origin to destination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Domestic Freight Services Coast-to-coast capacity for time-critical and temperature-sensitive loads built on a vetted carrier network. Includes FTL Reefer (temperature-controlled long-haul), Multimodal Transportation (rail, road, intermodal), Nationwide FTL Dry Cargo, Drayage & Trans-Loading, Expedited & Hot Shot Service, and Dedicated Lane Programs. Targeted at U.S. shippers with time-critical and temperature-sensitive freight requirements.
• Cold Chain Distribution Specialized temperature-controlled regional distribution protecting perishables from origin to destination. Includes multi-temperature regional networks, perishable LTL & pool distribution, cross-dock & last-mile reefer, temperature monitoring & reporting, USDA & FDA compliant operations, and cold storage & warehousing across -20°F to 40°F range. Targeted at perishable goods companies and food producers requiring farm-to-fork temperature integrity.
• Global Logistics Services Ocean, air, and consolidation services on every major trade lane backed by NVOCC authority. Includes FCL & LCL ocean freight, Expedited TPEB ocean services, Air Freight (standard and express), container consolidations, NVOCC & freight forwarding, and marine cargo insurance. Targeted at global importers/exporters moving goods on Transpacific, Transatlantic, and other major trade lanes.
• Customs Brokerage & Import Compliance Licensed brokerage services navigating regulatory complexity for U.S. imports/exports. Includes import documentation & filing, duty classification & HTS coding, FDA, USDA & FCC compliance, free trade agreement qualification, ISF (10+2) & AMS filing, and customs bond & insurance programs. Targeted at U.S. importers, exporters, and global trade compliance professionals.
• Key Account Management Boutique service powered by a proven 4-step methodology: Discover (audit current state and pain points), Assimilate (integrate into team and systems), Execute (deliver against agreed KPIs), Grow (expand value through optimization). Includes a dedicated Account Director and quarterly business reviews & analytics. Targeted at enterprise shippers seeking a strategic, embedded logistics partner rather than a transactional provider.

Quantifiable outcome

• Temperature variance of ±1°F maintained throughout cold chain operations
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Flexport: Tech-forward digital freight forwarder offering ocean, air, and customs services; competes with Helmsman in NVOCC and customs brokerage, particularly for shippers wanting digital visibility — pressure on traditional forwarders.

Direct peers

• SEKO Logistics: Global freight forwarder with strong cold chain and perishable goods specialization, offering NVOCC, customs brokerage, and dedicated cold storage — directly comparable service mix to Helmsman.
• AIT Worldwide Logistics: Mid-market global freight forwarder offering NVOCC, cold chain, customs brokerage, and domestic transportation — most direct comparable in scale and service mix to Helmsman.

Broad incumbents

• C.H. Robinson: Major North American freight broker and 3PL with reefer/temperature-controlled trucking and global forwarding capabilities; comparable to Helmsman's domestic freight and NVOCC services at vastly larger scale.
• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with a dedicated KN Pharma & Healthcare / perishable logistics division; competes with Helmsman in cold chain ocean and air freight but with vastly broader portfolio.
• Echo Global Logistics: North American technology-enabled freight broker and 3PL with reefer and LTL capabilities; comparable to Helmsman's domestic freight and temperature-controlled brokerage services.
• DHL Global Forwarding: Global forwarding and logistics arm of Deutsche Post DHL with strong cold chain / Life Sciences capabilities and NVOCC operations; overlaps Helmsman across ocean, air, customs, and cold chain services at much larger scale.
• Americold Realty Trust: Largest publicly-traded temperature-controlled warehousing operator in the Americas; overlaps Helmsman's cold storage / warehousing and cold chain distribution services at much larger scale.
• DSV Panalpina: Global transport and logistics provider with strong cold chain / perishables division and NVOCC operations; competes directly with Helmsman in transpacific and cold chain forwarding.
• XPO Logistics: Major North American less-than-truckload (LTL) and transportation provider with temperature-controlled and expedited capabilities; comparable to Helmsman's domestic freight services including perishable LTL and pool distribution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helmsman-freight-solutions-llc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Helmsman Freight Solutions