Complexity and congestion in the supply chain are at an all-time high today. Therefore, it is essential for a company’s success to choose the most suitable freight alternative. Air freight and ocean freight are both viable options for overseas shipments. They each have their benefits and drawbacks. Your company’s specific circumstances and goals will determine the most effective freight strategy.

Freight is the single most considerable expense in most supply chains. Businesses must consider how freight and its hidden fees affect their bottom line. Importers in the modern, globalized economy should try to save on both transportation costs and delivery times as much as possible. Which mode of transportation should a company choose when there are so many to pick from, including the air, road, train, and sea? Keep reading to find out what ocean freight and air freight shipping are and the top advantages of each.

Ocean Freight: What Is It And What Are Its Advantages?

Scheduling the transport of cargo through ships is referred to as sea freight forwarding. The freight company packs the items into metal containers and loads them onto the ship. The average container capacity of a cargo ship is about 18,000. This alone makes ocean transport a cost-effective method to ship colossal cargo.

• Ocean Freight Is Often The Most Cost-Effective Option Compared To Air Freight 

Budget constraints are one of the primary drivers for SMBs to seek ocean freight transport services. For long-distance shipments, air freight could be costly. In most cases, shipping by the ocean is the most cost-effective method for transporting heavier items across distant locations.

• Ocean Freight Are The Ideal Choice For Large Cargo

Shipment by air is too costly for heavy cargo. Thus most people choose ocean freight instead. Ocean freight rates can be influenced by weight, but shipping container sizes mostly determine how much it costs. Standard container lengths range from 20 feet to 40 feet to 45 feet. They can only hold a certain amount of weight due to the containers’ specific dimensions.

• Little Impact On The Environment And Lower Carbon Footprint

The environmental effect of freight shipping is a valid concern for many company owners. Especially in the future, strict regulations may be required to control the impact of freight transportation on environmental issues, particularly when it comes to the use of roads and airplanes. In contrast to the other two options, ocean freight has a far less carbon imprint.

Air Freight: What Is It And What Are Its Advantages?

Parcel delivery through air freight is transporting items via an air transport service. Small, medium, and big companies who want to stay competitive can consider air freight delivery an excellent choice for shipment. This shipping mode not only delivers reliable delivery lead times but also simplifies the process to increase consumer loyalty. When importing or exporting items, it is necessary to consider each country’s legal and compliance requirements. PEO services can handle these aspects for your business. Professional global PEOs can manage the paperwork and procedures associated with the overseas shipment.

• The Quickest Shipping Option

Congestion at ports is a significant problem that has made sea freight extremely slow in recent years. Air freight services are the most incredible option if you need to get your shipment to its final destination quickly. This is a significant time saver compared to going by the ocean or road. 

• Strong Safety Measures Taken

Security concerns are pretty strict in the airline sector. This means it may prevent theft and damage from occurring while in transit. Cargo handling at the airport follows a set of specific protocols. The airport authority strictly enforces these regulations at all times.

• Transport Status Monitoring Capacity

Many businesses specializing in shipping goods by air will allow you to keep tabs on your shipment via a web-based tracking system. As a result, you can track shipments from departure to their delivery. 

The Bottom Line

Matching your company’s needs with the benefits of air or ocean freight can help you make the best decision. Your attention can be divided between the two alternatives. In this instance, you should consider the benefits and drawbacks of each option to choose the one that best fits your requirements.