The two most common and probably the only two methods used for international shipping are air and ocean freight. These are the options you have when it comes to transporting goods, vehicles, and other cargo; either for personal or commercial reasons. The difference between these two types of transportation is not only obvious; one by plane and the other by ship. There are many factors that go into the decision to transport something by air or by sea.
Both have their pros and cons, and there are four things to keep in mind whenever you decide to transport something around the world. These four things are cost, charges, capacity, reliability, and the speed at which your goods are transported to the desired location. Some other factors to consider are safety, time, environmental impact, weather, destination coverage, and logistics.
Here are the pros and cons of air and ocean freight in detail so you can have a detailed understanding of both the next time you want to deliver something.
Cost and charges:
Between air and sea transportation, the former is a bit expensive. The reason is that air transport is safer and faster. Air shipping is considered the most expensive form of shipping and that is why its prices skyrocket. You must ensure that you do not exceed your budget by using air freight. Many companies use air freight and often make their customers pay the shipping fee. If you have a lot of money to spare and want something delivered quickly, air travel is a good option for you.
On the other hand, shipping is one of the cheapest ways to deliver goods around the world. Many companies and businesses choose ocean freight over air freight simply because it is cheaper. And since it can hold large volumes of goods, it’s a good way to transport bigger things like cars, heavy machinery, etc. If time is not an issue, then shipping is the way to go.
Another difference between sea and air transport is that goods are weighed by weight in air transport and by volume in sea transport.
Capacity:
The cargo space of an airplane is considerably smaller than that of a ship, and therefore the amount of goods that can be transported by air is significantly less than that of a cargo ship. One of the disadvantages of air transport is that, although it is a much faster and safer way to deliver goods, it is not possible to deliver goods in large quantities.
In contrast, cargo ships can hold massive amounts of merchandise that can range from heavy machinery to automobiles and more. As they can hold a large number of large objects, they are much preferred by businesses and companies for the delivery of their products.
Environmental impact:
Convenience shouldn’t be the only thing to consider when it comes to product delivery. You also have a responsibility to the planet. If you have to choose between air and ocean freight in terms of their impact on the environment, it is suggested that you use ocean freight. Air transport produces a much greater amount of CO2 than maritime transport. But oil spills and other types of water pollution caused by shipping is also something to be recognized.
Speed:
If you want something delivered quickly, then air freight is what you need. Not only is air travel much faster, it is also much more reliable and safe. Air cargo is the best option if you want something urgently. However, air travel is much more expensive, so make sure you have enough money to spare.
In contrast, ships are slow and have to cover a greater distance with water to deliver goods. The delivery of the products by sea transport may take up to a month, while the delivery of the products by air only takes 3-7 days.
Safety and Reliability:
Air shipping is a much safer option when it comes to delivering goods. provides the least risk of damage and your goods are handled and stored in the best possible way. On the other hand, shipping is less safe. There is always the possibility of cargo ships being looted and there is always the possibility of delays due to bad weather.
All of these factors play a role in choosing which delivery method to choose, but it all depends on the situation. If you want something urgent, air freight is the option worth considering, but if you want to save money, ocean freight is a better option. Your decision depends on your requirements. You can choose any option you want from local freight services in the US.