Logistics can be complicated, especially if you’re in need moving freight internationally. One of the most difficult choices to be made in the logistics process is the kind of transport to use as the right freight option can be crucial for success.
Which type of freight transportation should be used: air freight or ocean freight?
Air and Ocean freight are the most popular ways to ship goods to places all over the world. While each method will meet the needs of the shipping and transportation of goods, there are some major differences, and in many cases, air freight may be your better option. Lets find out why!
1. Speed
There are numerous benefits to choosing air freight over ocean freight when shipping goods internationally. Speed is perhaps one of the most advantageous features of using air freight. If you’re in need of faster delivery or transportation, air freight will get goods to their final destination much sooner than ocean freight. For in time-sensitive situations, or the shipping of certain goods such as perishable items, air freight is the better option. While ocean freight can take weeks to arrive at its destination, air freight can reach its destination in a matter of days.
2. Security
Another benefit of using air freight over ocean freight is its security. When shipping internationally, ocean freight needs to make several stops at different ports on its way to the final destination. Air freight typically flies directly to the destination. However, when stops for air freight are made, airports often have much stricter security measures in place, which ensures the security of goods. In addition, since air freight offers faster transportation time, there are decreased risks associated with the handling of goods. Shorter transit times combined with fewer stops means that the goods you ship internationally are less likely to be lost or damaged in transit to their destination.
3. Reliability
Air freight is typically a more reliable method of freight shipping. Delays can impact both air and ocean freight transportation as no shipping method is immune to things like inclement weather or increased demands. However, air freight will not experience as significant of delays as ocean freight. Flights tend to be rescheduled rather quickly, while ships may need numerous days to get back on schedule due to issues at ports. This makes air freight an appealing option for those looking to get goods to their destination reliably and with a decreased risk of issues that could impact transportation time.
4. Flexibility and Convenience
Ait freight provides convenience and flexibility. Flight schedules are much more flexible than the schedules for ocean transport. There are also thousands of airports, which makes it easier for air freight to make it quickly and easily to its location. Its global reach and significance to the global supply chain makes this freight transportation type the most convenient option for many worldwide.
5. Tracking
Most air freight offers online tracking, which allows you to track the status of your cargo in real time, allowing for the verification of the shipment’s status and to see where goods are at any given time. Monitoring possible transport issues will help you to plan ahead and make decisions based on the status updates provided.
6. Customs
Customs are an essential part of logistics. For goods to make it to their international destinations, they must be cleared by customs. Air shipments are generally cleared by customs faster than ocean shipments. Air freight can clear customs within hours, while ocean freight can take up to a day. Faster clearance enables more efficient handling of goods from location to location.
7. Storage
Faster delivery of goods means that there is less reliance on storage. Air freight arrives and departs destinations with little to no delay. This reduces the time of goods kept in warehouses or eliminates the need for storage at warehouses entirely. The decreased dependence on warehouse storage combined with the decreased number of stops for air freight transportation translates to a more secure and reliable delivery of goods internationally.
8. Cost-Effective Insurance
Air freight shipments offer more cost-effective insurance premiums than ocean freight. Goods being shipped by air have shorter transit times and airlines have higher levels of security, which reduces the risk of goods being damaged, lost, or stolen. This reduced risk is a factor in the determination of the cost of insurance. Higher security plus lower transit times and risk equals cost-effective insurance premiums for freight.
Choosing the Right Freight Transportation
The type of freight transportation is a significant decision that needs to be made when managing the logistics of a business. You want to avoid freight shipping mistakes and get goods to their location on time and intact. While both air freight and ocean freight will deliver goods to their destination, air freight is often the faster, more reliable option to choose. It provides the delivery speed, flexibility, security, and global reach that your business needs to prosper. It also can help reduce overall shipping costs and increase savings thanks to reduced costs for warehouses and insurance premiums. Air freight continues to be a popular shipping option and could be just the freight transportation type that you need for your logistics to ensure a successful, efficient supply chain.