The two most common and probably the only two methods used for international shipments are air freight and ocean freight. These are the options you have when it comes to transporting goods, vehicles, and other cargo; either for personal or business reasons. The difference between these two load types is not just the obvious one; one by plane and the other by boat. There are many factors that play a role in 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 ship 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 that need to be considered are security, weather, environmental impact, weather, destination coverage, and logistics.

Here are the ins and outs of air and sea freight in detail so that you can have detailed wisdom on 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 cargo is safer and faster. Air shipping is considered the most expensive way of shipping and that is why its prices skyrocket. You must make sure that you do not exceed your budget when using air cargo. 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 fast, then air freight 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 ocean freight and air freight is that goods are weighed by weight for air freight and by volume for ocean freight.

Ability:

The cargo space of an airplane is much 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 freight is that although it is a much faster and safer way to deliver goods, it is not possible to deliver goods in large quantities.

By contrast, cargo ships can carry massive amounts of goods that can range from heavy machinery to cars and more. Since they can contain a large number of large objects, businesses and companies prefer them much more 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 sea freight in terms of your impact on the environment, it is suggested that you use sea freight. Air transport produces a much higher amount of CO2 than maritime transport. But oil spills and other types of water pollution caused by shipping are also something to reckon with.

Speed:

If you want something delivered fast, then air freight is just the thing for you. Air transport is not only much faster, but also much more reliable and safer. Air cargo is the best option if you want something urgently. However, air transport is much more expensive, so make sure you have enough money to spare.

In contrast, ships are slow and have to cover a longer distance across water to deliver goods. The delivery of the products by sea can take up to one month, while the delivery by air only takes 3-7 days.

Safety and reliability:

Air shipping is a much safer option when it comes to the delivery of goods. provides the least risk of damage, and your goods are handled and stored in the best possible way. On the other hand, ocean freight is less secure. There is always the possibility of cargo ships being looted and there is always the possibility of delay due to bad weather.

All of these factors play a role in choosing the delivery method, 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.