You’re a business and – if you engage in international trade and logistics – choosing a method of shipment is likely one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever have to make. The decision on air freight services versus ocean freight services is not just a race between speed and cost. It’s a question of which option will work best within your company’s operation, your cost restrictions and your customer’s expectations.
Air Freight vs Ocean Freight: An Overview
Air freight is known for speed – and certainly will fit the need when you have a time-sensitive shipment. To avoid missing the time parameters for delivery of your products is it your shipment of perishable goods, high-value electronics, or an emergency spare parts arrangement? Air freight logistics company will certainly deliver your products with the least amount of time loss. Air freight forwarding provides a very dependable service, and becomes all the more valuable to you during peak seasons and critical production timing. Air freight services can move shipments quickly, but will certainly charge more than for the same shipment by ocean freight company.
On the other side, ocean freight services provide the more economical option and are a more cost-effective option. Ocean freight forwarding is most effective for bulk shipments, heavy machinery, or goods that are relatively flexible in terms of delivery dates. It is now possible to ship large volumes of goods via a modern container ship for a fraction of the cost of air freight, making ocean freight the backbone of global trade. It can also be the most environmentally friendly option as ocean freight company produces a smaller carbon footprint per unit shipped. This may also be necessary for businesses that are environmental- friendly.
Choosing the right shipping option requires a proper observation of several factors. The type of product comes first in the selection process. Delicate, Expensive, or time-sensitive products will be suggested to make use of air freight. On the other hand, non-breakable, bulky, or heavy products are better for ocean freight. Budget and finance observations will have an important impact on the selection, and the duty to keep enough stock and to meet delivery expectations.
This is where collaborating with a logistics provider like Cargomate Logistics becomes so important. They have experience in both air and ocean freight solutions so they can review your specific needs and provide appropriate freight solution or solutions. The things to be considered are not just the most apparent things like cost and speed, but also the less obvious like customs regulations, port capabilities, etc., and seasonal changes to shipping rates or shipping capacities.
The right logistics partner does more than just move your goods, they become part of the supply chain team. They take care of everything from documentation to tracking shipments in real-time so that your product(s) move easily over the border. Their experience with international trade routes, carrier networks, and regulations can make a shipment as easy as moving your goods or a delayed shipment with unknown costs and delivery times.
In our increasingly competitive global marketplace, decisions you make about shipping can typically be one of the largest impacts on your bottom line and ultimately customer satisfaction. How you decide to ship and choose between air freight ocean freight or a combination of both is dependent on your needs as a business. However, at the end of the day, none of this matters if you do not have reliable and knowledgeable logistics support to implement your shipping choices.
By gaining an understanding of the differences between each shipping mode and working together with a trusted partner such as Cargomate Logistics, an organization can streamline their international shipping, better control costs, and keep delivery schedules consistent: all valued components of operating effectively in a global economy. Understanding your priorities and maximizing resources by working with professionals can assist you in making the best choices for your business.
Understanding Ocean Freight Forwarding; A Budget-Friendly Option to Send Large Quantities of Goods
Sea freight or ocean freight is the process of shipping goods between countries using ships that carry cargo. This is the most common method of global shipping because it can ship large quantities of goods at a fraction of the cost of air freight. In India, ocean freight forwarding is crucial to the entire process. They take care of the many parts of the process – paperwork, submitting documents, schedules – all of this means that businesses can ship large orders overseas with minimal worry.
Advantages of Ocean Freight Services
Lower Costs – In all cases, Ocean freight services are cheaper than air freight services. The biggest cost savings are with large shipments. For example: it may cost around $200 to ship by sea while the same shipment by air would cost over $1,000.
Best Option for Heavy and Bulky Items – Ships have a lot of space to fill, so ocean freight services are a good solution whenever you wish to ship large quantities or heavy/bulky items, such as heavy/delicate machinery, furniture, or massive bulk items. Simply put – good luck shipping products air freight when they are that heavy.
Less Pollution than Air Freight – Ships create far less pollution per ton of goods than aeroplanes. If your business is concerned with sustainability, then ocean freight forwarding is the better option.
Disadvantages of Ocean Freight Services
Generally Slower Ship Times – Ships travel slower than land or air options; therefore, Ocean freight shipments can arrive in weeks (or longer). Sea freight is not ideal for time-sensitive or perishable shipments.
Unpredictable Delays – Unexpected bad weather conditions, excessive port traffic, or customs inspections may hold up shipments.
More Paperwork – Ocean freight typically requires more detailed paperwork such as bills and customs papers. Inexperienced exporters may have trouble navigating the new paperwork.
That said, ocean freight remains the most affordable option for moving large shipments throughout the globe. Working with an established ocean freight company (sea freight carrier) or sea freight forwarder significantly eases the process and reduces the risk of damage or delays.
Understanding Air Freight Forwarding – The Fastest Way to Ship Products Around the World
Air freight forwarding is the transport of goods or products via aeroplane, and it is the fastest method to ship products from country to country. Air Freight Services is the right choice for urgent shipment of perishable commodities to high-value electronics, fresh flowers or critical medical supplies.
Advantages of Air Freight Services
Super Fast Delivery – Air travel is a matter of days for international delivery, while a ship can take weeks for consumer-level traffic. Airspeed helps keep the supply chain flowing and customers satisfied.
More Reliable Schedules – Airlines must operate on firm schedules, so air freight is less likely to have delays when shooters care compared to ocean freight.
Extra Security – Airports have strict levels of security and safety checks, so once the shipments are checked, your goods should have a very low risk of theft and damage while in transit.
Disadvantages Air Freight Services
It is Much More Expensive – Airmail’s speed costs more. Air freight can be more than 10-20 times the cost of ocean freight, so it is not ideal for cheap merchandise or very heavy merchandise.
Size Restrictions Apply – Airplanes do not have the payload capacity of ships. It would often take large or heavy shipments to ship them via ocean freight.
Higher level of air pollution – Planes generate a high amount of air pollution per shipment encompassing the ships, which is something dangerous for the environment and responsible businesses to consider. Air freight services are the best solution for goods in case of urgency, expensive goods, or time-sensitive. But for heavy shipments when time is not an issue, ocean freight services can be more better and economical mode. Therefore many companies will mix and match their use of both. Use fast air freight when required and cheap sea shipping for the other items. Choosing between air freight and ocean freight company comes down to what you are shipping, your budget, and the urgency of delivery.
Choosing between Ocean Freight and Air Freight: The Most Important Things to Know
There is no one exact shipping solution for all kinds of shipping. While deciding between air freight and ocean freight, you should consider all the important factors mentioned earlier. What kind of product you have, how soon it needs to be delivered and your budget are all key factors. Let’s look at some of the most important factors to consider:
- Price Considerations
Under normal circumstances, ocean freight is less expensive than air freight – especially when shipping heavier weights (more than around 100-500kg). In most scenarios, air freight is going to be more expensive than sea freight. When you have small, high-value items, air freight might make sense to pay extra for the added speed. Price is only part of the equation and you will want to consider the delivery need in conjunction with this factor.
- Speed of Delivery
If you need it fast, air freight gets there in 1-5 days (depending on destination). Sea freight takes a significantly longer time (20-45 days). Potentially worse, if you need it today, air freight can accomplish it, but sea freight can not. The further your destination, the more pronounced the time difference you will experience.
- What Are You Shipping?
Ocean freight service is particularly good for large, heavy or odd-shaped items – goods that most likely can’t fit on a plane. Air freight has strict weight and size limitations that make it almost impossible to ship large bulky items in this manner. Air freight makes much more sense for smaller, compact shipments.
- Safety and Reliability
Because air freight forwarder has a faster delivery time and a lower chance of damage, it is safer and easier to predict than ocean freight. Air freight is best used for high-value and/or fragile and delicate items, while ocean freight is best used for low or medium-value or less fragile, but still semi-fragile items. Sea freight takes longer and is handled more frequently along the way, which is an extra worry for some shippers.
So what is the best approach? Align the method you ship with what’s actually in the boxes. High-value and urgent items oftentimes warrant the premium cost of air freight, while bulkier and less time-sensitive goods typically fit in a slow (cheaper) category of freight. Many companies use a mixture of both air and ocean freight especially if the shipments vary as well.
Conclusion
Picking between air and ocean freight services is not at all easy– there are multiple factors you should keep in mind. Which mode is best for you includes factors like how much money you want to pay, how swiftly you desire your goods to be delivered, the types of goods you’re shipping, as well as environmental factors. As you are now aware of the advantages and disadvantages of both freight, will help you to make the right decision.
Cargomate Logistics are specialist in ocean and air freight services. As one of the leading logistics companies, we know how to choose the best option. Our team helps you to find the best solution that meets both your requirements and budget.
Ready to ship? Contact Cargomate Logistics to get started! We will offer you expert advice and an estimate that suits your requirements.