Did you know that selecting between air freight and ocean freight for your business can have a major impact on costs, delivery times, and the handling of your goods?
In this post, we’ll break down what makes each option unique, their pros and cons, and when it makes the most sense to choose one over the other.
Cost Comparison of Air Freight vs Ocean Freight for businesses
Cost comparison between air cargo and ocean shipping for international trade is one of the main differences when comparing air cargo and ocean freight.
Although air freight vs ocean freight for businesses is faster, Air cargo costs are well known to be the most expensive among the transport methods, which is why it is usually reserved for small or urgent shipments.
Ocean shipping rates, on the other hand, are significantly more price accessible, becoming a great option for large volume and bulk shipments or heavy machinery.
As a top logistics company, at EP Logistics, we help you identify the best freight method for your business needs reduce unneeded expenses, and ensure the timely delivery of your goods.
Evaluating transit times: air freight versus maritime transport for global businesses
Another important difference, when comparing air freight vs ocean freight for businesses, is the transportation speed:
Air Freight
Pros:
- Is the fastest method
- Ability to deliver goods within days
- Perfect for urgent shipments
- Ideal for time-sensitive goods like food and pharmaceuticals
- Important for urgent shipments, high-value or sensitive goods
Cons:
- Expensive for bulky items
- Air cargo costs impact overall budget
Ocean Freight
Pros:
- Cost-effective for bulk shipments
- Great for heavy machinery and large volumes
- The lower environmental footprint of shipping methods
- Better for non-time-sensitive cargo
Cons:
- Slower than air freight
- Requires weeks
At EP Logistics, we customize our freight services to adapt to your business needs and combine strategies for cross-border freight to offer you the most efficient and cost-effective solutions.
Environmental impact assessment of air versus Ocean freight in supply chains
With the increasing concern for our environment rapidly growing among industries and consumers, sustainability is an increasing priority for businesses and their logistics practices:
When comparing air freight vs ocean freight for businesses and their environmental footprint of shipping methods unique to each.
- Air freight consumes more fuel, which means higher emissions of CO₂
- Ocean freight produces less carbon per ton-mile, making it more friendly for the environment
As an environment-conscious 3PL, at EP Logistics we emphasize sustainable logistics practices within our services, reducing transportation
Determining the best shipping method for perishable goods: air or Ocean freight
Before choosing air freight vs ocean freight for businesses take into consideration the type of goods shipped, transit time comparison, and shipment size considerations:
- Perishable goods transportation of products like food and pharmaceuticals usually requires faster shipping due to their time sensitivity. In these cases, air freight will be the best option for fast delivery to preserve them.
- On the other hand, large-volume shipments and bulk cargo like heavy machinery and other non-perishable goods are best suited for ocean freight, which is more cost-effective.
At EP Logistics we help you combine shipping methods as needed, and we also provide special transportation for goods that require specific temperature control or transit times, ensuring the safe and quality delivery of your products.
Freight Risk Assessment of Each Freight Method
Risk analysis of damage and loss in air cargo compared to ocean freight is important when considering which mode to use:
- Air cargo transit times are shorter, and handling your goods for a shorter time reduces the risk of physical damage. Air bottlenecks are less frequent, however, delays can also occur for air freight.
- Ocean freight has a higher risk of damage because it’s more vulnerable to adverse weather. This risk can be reduced with careful packaging that protects your goods in case of adversity. Ocean freight is also subject to port congestion.
Our team, at EP Logistics, is familiar with the risks and challenges of both air and ocean freight and the impact on supply chain logistics.
We help you perform a risk analysis based on your cargo needs to ensure your cargo arrives safely, whether it is air cargo or ocean-bonded shipments.
Industry-Specific Considerations
Other considerations need to be taken depending on the different industries as each requires different shipping strategies. For example:
- Electronics: Air freight is preferred to reduce the risk of damage through shorter transit times.
- Automotive parts: Ocean freight is commonly selected within this industry to keep costs low through container management.
- Food and pharmaceuticals: Air freight is preferred for perishable goods transportation.
Using international shipping strategies, at EP Logistics we help you optimize your shipping and deliveries to ensure that you use top tools for decision-making so you always stay on top of your supply chain demand.
Choosing freight mode and a trusted partner to handle it.
In the end, the freight method you choose will be based on the industry your business belongs to, the types of goods, the urgency of transportation, shipment size considerations, and weight factors in shipping.
Choosing between air freight vs ocean freight for businesses, considering how shipment size and weight influence the choice between air and ocean freight, will ensure you choose the best method.
Ultimately the goal is to enhance your supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately ensure the timely and quality delivery of your goods.
With over 20 years of experience, our team at EP Logistics can guide you with expert advice from choosing the best transportation per shipment to understanding why you need a customs broker to ease the handling of your shipments globally.
Contact EP Logistics experts today to optimize your international trade. Whether air or ocean freight, customs brokerage, or bonded warehousing, we got you covered!
