The marine transport system handles 53 and 38 percent of U.S. imports and exports. There are major ports distributed throughout the coastline that handle thousands of shipments a year.
If you have cargo that you need to ship internationally, then ocean freight is a natural consideration. However, it isn’t your only option.
This guide will help you understand the pros and cons of air and ocean freight shipping.
Ocean Freight
The traditional and most often used method of international freight shipping is sea freight. These are large ships that dock at ports along the coast. You’ll transport your cargo to the port and have it loaded on a Shipping a Pallet container.
The container will get placed on a ship and transported to the destination port. Upon arrival at the port, you’ll have it picked up and transported to its final destination.
Pros
The ocean freight method is the most affordable, making it the most appealing for most people. There are also ports all over the world, helping you to have the most direct route to your shipment’s final destination.
Ocean freighters are massive ships that can hold a staggering amount of cargo. This makes them ideal for oversized and extremely heavy shipments.
Cons
The biggest drawback of ocean freight is that it takes a long time for your shipment to arrive. It’s common for shipments to take weeks and even months for them to arrive. Delays are also common with ocean shipping.
The other problem with this type of shipping is that it’s risky. The ocean is unpredictable and can become dangerous when the weather turns bad. This puts your cargo at risk of getting lost to the sea during shipment.
Air Freight
The modern freight shipping method is shipping by air. These are large cargo planes that have open holds where palleted cargo gets strapped down.
You’ll take your cargo to the nearest airport, where it gets loaded on a plane and then transported to another airport. Upon arrival, you’ll have your cargo picked up and transported to its final destination.
Pros
The biggest benefit of air international freight is how fast it is. What would take an ocean ship a month will take a plane several hours. This is invaluable when you need your cargo to reach its destination as quickly as possible.
It also has lower risk as airplanes and flights are heavily regulated. Combine this with a comprehensive and accurate tracking system, and you have a shipping service that’s ideal for high-value items. With this method of shipping, you will know exactly where your shipment is throughout the entire shipment.
Cons
The biggest problem with air freight is how expensive it is. The cost of transport is significantly higher than with ocean freight. This cost only gets more expensive when your cargo is heavy or large in size.
The other problem with this type of freight shipping is that it’s weather-dependent. Unlike a ship that can sail during rain or shine, a plane cannot fly when the weather is stormy.
Schedule Your Freight Shipment
If you need to ship cargo internationally, then you’ll need to decide between air or ocean freight. The right option for you will depend on your budget, timeline, and cargo volume. Whether you choose ocean or air, be sure to shop around and get several quotes from carriers to get the best rate from a reputable shipping company.
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