Gulfstream Shippers Association

What Gulfstream Shippers Association does

Gulfstream Shippers Association is a privately held logistics cooperative headquartered in Lenoir, North Carolina (315 Wilkesboro Blvd NE 2A), that delivers member-based ocean freight and end-to-end supply chain services primarily to importers in home furnishings, building materials, outdoor sporting goods, and manufacturing. The association differentiates from traditional Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) by negotiating contracts directly with ocean carriers on behalf of its collective membership, securing priority loading and fixed-rate agreements that shield members from spot-rate volatility. Its service portfolio spans ocean freight, intermodal transport, trucking, airfreight, warehousing, and supply chain optimization, with domestic execution handled by the Bluewater Logistics Group division, which provides container drayage, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), warehousing, and final-mile services across the United States.

The technology layer is delivered through a partnership with Gnosis Freight, branded as the Gnosis Freight Transportation Management System (TMS) portal. This AI-enabled Container Lifecycle Management (CLM) platform provides real-time container visibility, predictive Estimated Time of Arrivals (ETAs) for ocean, terminal, and rail legs, demurrage and detention avoidance alarms, automated pickup-number extraction, drayage workflow management, invoice auditing, and a global heat map with vessel counts, berth delay analytics, and weather overlays. Application Programming Interface (API) integrations connect the platform with NetSuite (Enterprise Resource Planning) and BrokerPro, and an upcoming Banyan Technology integration will extend real-time Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) connectivity to the domestic arm. The cooperative also partners with Customized Shipping Solutions (CSS) for ongoing tariff analysis and duty-drawback advisory in response to Section 232, Section 301, and International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) regulatory actions affecting member shipments.

Gulfstream monetizes through a hybrid of recurring membership/cooperative fees for access to direct carrier contracts and collective buying power, combined with transaction-based service fees for managing door-to-door shipments. Pricing is custom quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the go-to-market is sales-led with relationship-based representatives supported by content marketing through newsletters such as The Current and Gulfstream Gazette, plus trade-show presence at events like High Point Market. The firm is structured as a North Carolina Limited Liability Company (LLC) with 11–50 employees, no external investment, no parent company, and no publicly disclosed financials.

Name

Gulfstream Shippers Association

Legal name

Gulfstream Shippers Association LLC

Website

https://shipgulfstream.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gulfstream Shippers Association is a Lenoir, North Carolina-based cooperative that provides member-based ocean freight, end-to-end logistics, and Container Lifecycle Management technology via its Gnosis Freight Transportation Management System (TMS) portal to importers in home furnishings, building materials, manufacturing, and outdoor sporting goods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ocean Freight and Logistics Services

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (488390), Marine Cargo Handling (48832), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412)

akta.pro primary industry

Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF) (TLACABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ocean Export Forwarding (Booking/VGM/SI/BL) (TLACABAF), NVOCC Operations & Ocean Consolidation (TLACABAC), LCL (Less-than-Container Load) Consolidation/Deconsolidation (TLACABAB)

Keywords

• Ocean freight services
• Freight forwarding
• Container logistics
• Supply chain management
• Transportation management

Headquarters

HQ city

Lenoir

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership/Cooperative Fees: Gulfstream Shippers Association operates as a cooperative. Members pay fees to access collective buying power, direct carrier contracts, and shared logistics services. The cooperative model provides competitive freight economics through transparent, ethical fixed ocean freight contract agreements rather than spot rate shipping.
2. Logistics Services: Provides end-to-end logistics services including ocean freight, trucking, airfreight, intermodal transport, warehousing, and supply chain optimization. Revenue is generated through service fees for managing shipments door-to-door for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Gulfstream Shippers Association operates as a cooperative providing member importers with direct ocean carrier contracts, multi-modal transportation services, and supply chain management. Core offerings include ocean freight, intermodal transport, trucking, airfreight, warehousing, cargo insurance, and freight claims processing. The cooperative leverages collective buying power to secure fixed-rate freight agreements and priority loading, while the Gnosis Freight TMS platform delivers container lifecycle management, real-time visibility, and predictive analytics.

Product overview

Gulfstream Shippers Association operates as a cooperative providing end-to-end logistics solutions through two primary divisions: the core shipping services (Ocean Freight, Intermodal Transport, Trucking Solutions, Airfreight, and Warehousing & Inventory) delivered via direct carrier contracts, and the Gnosis Freight TMS technology platform for container lifecycle management, tracking, and analytics. The domestic logistics arm, Bluewater Logistics Group, handles trucking, drayage, and warehousing. The company also offers cargo insurance and freight claims processing services. The technology platform Gnosis Freight integrates with NetSuite and BrokerPro via API, providing predictive ETAs, automated workflows, and AI-enabled exception management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Supply Chain Optimization Custom processes and advanced tools designed to fit unique business needs, ensuring efficient flow and distribution of products for member importers.
• Ocean Freight Cargo booking, loading, and door delivery with dedicated team providing shipment visibility through direct relationships with ocean carriers.
• Intermodal Transport Combined transport expertise including rail to improve security, reduce damage, minimize environmental footprint, and enable faster delivery.
• Trucking Solutions On-time delivery using flexible ground options including expedited team trucking, single-driver routes, and tailored final-mile delivery solutions.
• Airfreight Express service from small parcels to heavy freight with controlled, planned, and fully managed door-to-door shipments.
• Warehousing and Inventory Just-in-time and hub-and-spoke techniques with aisle pallet racking for maximizing storage efficiency and inventory visibility, supporting direct-to-consumer delivery.
• Gnosis Freight TMS Platform AI-enabled Container Lifecycle Management platform unifying container tracking, exception management, drayage coordination, and final operations auditing. Provides predictive ETAs, demurrage avoidance alarms, automated document extraction, invoice auditing, and API integrations with NetSuite and BrokerPro.
• Bluewater Logistics Group (Domestic 3PL) Non-asset based third-party logistics provider offering container drayage, LTL, warehousing, and specialty services across the US. Provides complete start-to-finish domestic logistics solutions for association members.
• Shipper's Interest Cargo Insurance Cargo insurance coverage protecting shipments against risks including fire, storms, theft, and collisions. Safeguards assets against unexpected financial setbacks with downloadable policy information and marine cargo insurance documentation.
• Freight Claims Processing Freight claims procedure for damaged shipments with downloadable claims procedure documentation and customer service support for immediate issue reporting and claims initiation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dramatically reduce shipping costs through collective buying power and direct carrier relationships
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bluewater Logistics Group, LLCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBluewater Logistics Group is a non-asset based, third-party logistics provider with over 151 years of combined experience. They solve all domestic logistics needs including container drayage, LTL, warehousing, and specialty services. The partnership enables Gulfstream to provide complete start-to-finish logistics solutions for members.
• Gnosis FreightcoreTechnology or IntegrationGnosis Freight provides an AI-enabled Container Lifecycle Management (CLM) platform that Gulfstream uses for container tracking, exception management, drayage coordination, and operations auditing. Gnosis is ranked a market leader in supply-chain visibility and TMS categories. The platform provides predictive ETAs, demurrage avoidance alarms, automated document extraction, and API integrations with NetSuite and BrokerPro.
• CSS (Customized Shipping Solutions)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSS provides tariff compliance expertise and updates. Steve Fodor at CSS provides frequent tariff updates and weekly blast updates to help importers navigate complex tariff regulations and duty drawback processes.
• Ocean CarrierscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGulfstream maintains direct contractual relationships with multiple ocean carriers, providing members access to global coverage and multiple shipping options without limitations of individual contractual agreements. Direct carrier contracts provide priority loading and rate stability.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Flexport: Digital-first global ocean freight forwarder serving importers across verticals including furniture and home goods. Most direct comparable in technology-enabled forwarding, though venture-backed and far larger than Gulfstream's cooperative model.
• SEKO Logistics: Global freight forwarder and 3PL with strong ocean freight, white-glove home delivery, and furniture vertical expertise. Comparable in multi-modal service breadth and importer-focused customer base.

Broad incumbents

• CEVA Logistics: Global 3PL offering ocean freight, contract logistics, and finished goods distribution with strong furniture and home goods vertical experience. Comparable in serving home furnishings importers with door-to-door services.
• DHL Global Forwarding: Global freight forwarding division of DHL offering ocean, air, and multi-modal services with direct carrier contracts. Larger incumbent covering the same import ocean freight niche but as part of a vast portfolio.
• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest ocean freight forwarders with global direct-carrier contracts across all major trade lanes. Broader incumbent offering full multi-modal logistics but serves similar importers with similar services.
• Expeditors International: Asset-light global logistics provider focused on ocean and air freight forwarding with strong Asia-US trade lane presence. Public incumbent that competes for similar importer customers through direct carrier relationships.
• C.H. Robinson: Large North American 3PL and freight forwarder with ocean, intermodal, and LTL services and a global Navisphere platform. Comparable in multi-modal offering and importer customer base though dominated by North American road transport.
• Yusen Logistics: Global ocean freight forwarder and contract logistics provider with Asia-US lane expertise and direct carrier relationships. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering integrated forwarding and supply chain solutions.

Others

• Bluewater Logistics Group: Non-asset domestic 3PL partner providing drayage, LTL, and warehousing as Gulfstream's domestic extension. Closely aligned partner rather than competitor, but operates in adjacent domestic freight forwarding space.
• Gnosis Freight: AI-enabled container lifecycle management platform that is Gulfstream's core technology partner. Adjacent ecosystem participant providing the TMS and visibility layer that differentiates Gulfstream's offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gulfstream-shippers-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Gulfstream Shippers Association