Air Freight vs. Sea Freight: Which Is the Better Choice For Your Business?

If your business handles the transportation of physical goods, then having multiple options for your logistics services is crucial. Hiring a freight forwarding company can give you a competitive edge as it takes the drudgery away from packing and delivering your products, but this begs the question: do you need domestic, air, or sea freight forwarding services?

All three play pivotal roles in the industry, so the ideal choice largely depends on your type of cargo, costs, and clients. With that in mind, the guide below should help you decide whether you would need air or sea freight services for your business. 

Factor #1: Type Of Cargo 

One of the biggest things you need to take into account is your type of cargo, and whether you need to deliver massive quantities over a period of time. Sea freight is the best choice for those that need large capacity for goods – be it heavy construction equipment like cranes and other parcels. 

The drawback to sea freight is that some shipments can take as long as a month to arrive, though recent advances in technologies and discoveries of shorter shipping routes make it possible to deliver huge quantities of cargo in as little as eight days. 

Meanwhile, air freight offers a speedier delivery, though it can only carry a limited amount of goods. It’s often the best choice for businesses wherein speed is at the top priority, especially if your company needs to keep up with the demand and avoid stockout scenarios. 

Factor #2: Costs 

Part of ensuring the sustainability of your success is to find cost-effective solutions for your needs. With that in mind, the cost of freight forwarding greatly varies depending on the mode of transportation.

Land transportation is undoubtedly the most bang-for-the-buck option, but for businesses that need to break barriers, air and sea freight will demand more from your pocket. At first glance, air freight is significantly costlier since it has higher fuel consumption, along with the operational costs and chargeable weight. 

Sea freight seems like the cheapest choice, but it can be just as expensive once you start to factor in the warehousing fees. Seaports often come at a steeper price compared to airports, so it’s best to weigh your options and see where you can save the most. 

The Bottom Line: How Professional And Reliable Sea Freight Forwarders Can Move Your Business Forward 

Businesses that rely heavily on shipping goods need reliable logistics solutions, especially if you want to catapult your growth and establish yourself in the industry. Start-ups can maximize road freight forwarders but considering air and ocean travel for your transportation needs offer a well-rounded plan for those ready to scale-up internationally. 

With air and sea freight forwarding, you can make the most of its effective synergy to improve your company’s shipping and flexibility in more ways than one. Speaking of which, we’re a freight forwarding company in Washington, DC, that offers domestic freight shipping, air freight shipping, and sea freight shipping!

Get in touch with us if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop that provides seamless packing, pick-up, and shipping experience.