Comparison Between Air Freight And Ocean Freight !
Shipping products to different countries is now an integral part of the world. We all human depend on each other for our various needs and requirements. Products are imported and exported in different countries for various purposes.
These days the international business is more prominent and popular in every country. Online companies are growing at a rapid pace in global markets. Different online companies are shipping their products worldwide with various freights to ensure timely deliveries, Safety of packages and meeting expectations of their customers.
There are many transportation options for shipping within the country; when it comes to shipping products internationally, there are limited options available. You can either ship through air freight, or you can ship through ocean freights. Unfortunately, there is a massive difference between both types of freights used to send the products.
While shipping the products, it is a question of price, speed, convenience and Safety of the parcels. These are the factors or questions shippers and forwarders consider when determining the choice between air freight and sea freight. Comparing both the shipments and then shipping the products to the final destination every time shipping a parcel is quite challenging for the seller. Deciding and knowing about both the freights will save a lot of time and bring more profit.
The answer to all of the above questions depends on how one decides which mode of transit is the optimal choice for a particular shipment.
Choose between the air freight and sea freight depends upon many factors while you ship an express shipment this includes-
- Distance of warehouse and final destination
- Type of parcel
- Time limit or sensitivity
- Cost consideration
- Safety of parcel
- Accessibility
These factors will determine your choice to send your cargo via air freight or sea freight. But, first, let us understand the difference between both types of freights.
1. Distance
- Air Freight
In terms of distance, air freight can take the shipment connected directly and the countries that follow the direction you; therefore, airfreight is most commonly used for quick deliveries, decreasing the distance between the two points.
- Ocean Freight
Sea freight is preferred for shipments that need to travel long distances through vast oceans. Any other transportation cannot cover space. Therefore, they are suitable for long-distance shipments.
2. Type of Cargo
- Air Freight
Airfreight can carry the limited type of cargo and deliver them. However, due to the capacity, weight and Safety limitations, air freight cannot take all kinds of cargo. Therefore, some air freights are reserved entirely for shipping the parcels from one place to another. These are called charted frights which can carry up to 250 tons of cargo at a time.
- Ocean Freight
This is probably where ocean freight is at an absolute advantage over air freight. Ocean air freight will be able to carry any goods in the containers. You can ship anything through ocean freight without any stress.
3. Time Limitations
- Air Freight
This mode of shipment is chosen primarily due to its quick transit time, and they deliver the products at a rocket speed. Airfreight lessen the distance between the two points. The shipment will reach its final destination on time. The products can be shipped anywhere in the world with Air Freight.
- Ocean Freight
Not all cargo falls under the category of time sensitivity or limitations. They do not need to reach the customer tomorrow. Some shipments can be delivered within a month or more than that time as well. The shipments are planned accordingly by the sellers within keeping the time in mind.
4. Cost Consideration
- Air Freight
Cost is one of the primary concerns of the seller. If we talk about Air Fright, then Air Freight is one of the fastest and expensive modes of transportation. This is due to the higher fuel consumption and operational cost plane. Therefore, when it comes to sending any cargo with Air Freight, it may cost costly.
- Ocean Freight
Ocean freight is cheaper in comparison to Air Freight. The cost of fuel and operation is less than in an aircraft. Shipping through ocean freight is more affordable because it takes a high volume of products at one time to ship to the final destination.
5. Cargo Safety
- Air Freight
If it is all about the Safety of cargo, then nothing is better than Air Freight. They handle the parcels with the best care and delivery them on time to the final destination. So while shipping products through air freight, you never need to worry about the Safety of your parcels.
- Ocean Freight
Ocean freights are also safe when it comes to delivering the products to the final destination. But the parcels are shipped in the containers via ocean freight. If the packages inside the containers are not packed and placed correctly, there may be massive damage to the products. So, ensure the proper packaging of your products while shipping them through ocean freight.
6. Accessibility
- Air Freight
As air freight volumes are considerably smaller than ocean freights and handle quicker, there may not be congestion at the airports compared to the long queue at the seaports.
- Ocean Freight
Due to the high volume of containers shipped in and out. There could be severe congestion in seaports, which brings with it its problems if additional costs. Regarding accessibility to markets, ocean freight has a better advantage than air freight as there is the possibility of containers moving further inland by on rail on an intermodal basis.
7. Products
- Air Freight
Usually, air freight is used to ship the products which are ready-made, food items, vegetables, fruits, expensive items, things needed to be delivered quickly, perishable goods like fresh products and flowers, pharmacy products are usually sent through the Air Freight.
- Ocean Freight
The ocean can carry huge products easily; heavy products, machinery, electronics items, spare parts and things that don’t need to be delivered quickly can be sent through ocean freights.
Final Words-
Both types of shipping can be used according to the need of factors analyzed above. Being updated on both kinds of the shipping industry will help you deliver good quality services and meet the customer’s expectations in no time.
