When shipping goods or merchandise overseas it is important to ensure it arrives in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner. Sending items over the ocean is relatively easy these days whether it be by airplane or ship. There are, however, a few things to consider when it comes to deciding which option best suits you and your shipping needs. It is important to so some research and become educated with the details of both choices before making a decision one way or another.
There are pros and cons to either mode and it really depends on how quickly your items need to be shipped as well as how large and heavy the packages is. Though air may be better in certain circumstances, when using ocean freight companies that offer transloading can help you to deal with your product once it hits port and is offloaded. Take some time to look into which option works better when it comes to your shipping needs. Here are some things to consider.
Air Cargo – Pros and Cons
- Faster Delivery
Shipping items via airplane is much quicker than using a cargo ship. If getting product from one place to another across the ocean quickly is key to your business or personal needs then using air travel is a likely choice. Instead of taking a number of days or weeks for the items to arrive at the chosen destination it will take a day or two which is important in some circumstances.
- More Expensive
While it may be faster to ship by air it is definitely not cheaper than ocean freight. When it comes to airplanes, weight is a very important factor as planes can carry much less and heavy loads tend to come with a higher price tag. Keep this mind when deciding which shipping option is best suited for your cargo needs. It may be a better choice to go with the ocean mode unless shipping it in a timely manner is what matters most.
- Heightened Security
Air cargo is the more secure mode of transportation when compared to that of ocean freight. It passes through a few hands and airports having more security than ports. If your goods or personal items are of great value and they are not too large or heavy choosing air delivery may be the better option. Make sure to factor in the cost of air transport as it may not offset the price of the extra security. But if you want it to get there safely air is a good option.
Ocean Freight – Pros and Cons
- Less Restrictive
With air travel there is a long list of prohibited and restricted items that depending on your cargo might make it more difficult or impossible to ship. Things that are regulated or cannot be shipped via air vary depending on national law and airline regulations. It is important to be sure your goods are acceptable to travel by plane. If you are moving anything flammable, corrosive, magnetic or a public health risk be sure to check with the airlines you are considering using.
- More Space
Using a container ship to move cargo means having a lot more space to work with then sending it on an airplane. If you want to ship something on the larger side of things or if the items are heavy ocean freight is most likely the best choice. There are still some restrictions and big, heavy packages will cost you more but it will be much less than when shipping by air. Some items simply will not fit on a plane so sending it by ship may be the only real option.
- The Greener Option
Airplanes use a lot more fuel and have a much larger carbon footprint than ocean freighters so that makes sending your items by ship a significantly greener choice. If you are only shipping a few packages it may not be an issue. But if you need to ship things overseas into the future it may make more sense to use the green mode of transportation. Many companies and individuals are trying to do less harm to the environment so keep this in mind for your cargo needs.
When making the decision on the best way to ship your items whether they be personal or business cargo there are many factors to consider before deciding on the one suited to your needs. Take some time to compare both modes so you can find what works for you.
Freight companies Illinois are the backbone of the economy. They are responsible for moving goods from one place to another.
