Air Freight And Ocean Freight: What, How Should You Choose?

1. What is air freight?

Air freight shipment includes the transfer of goods from one location to another by plane or helicopter. The products are usually packed into crates, boxes, or pallets and loaded onto the plane. 

This method of transportation usually involves ground transport at both ends of the flight, aiding the movement of goods from their point of origin to the airport and vice versa at their destination. Various methods are employed in air freight, encompassing passenger aircraft, freight-only aircraft, combination aircraft, and supercargo aircraft.

Due to its speed, air freight is an excellent choice for businesses that require urgent delivery when time is crucial, or for perishable goods requiring fast transportation. Moreover, it exhibits higher reliability in certain circumstances, as it is less susceptible to weather delays compared to other methods, such as ocean cargo.

This mode of transportation is ideal for transporting lightweight and high-value items. Due to the restricted cargo capacity of airplanes compared to vessels, air freight is often chosen for transporting smaller yet more valuable goods, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, or luxury products.

​2. Pros and cons of air freight

2.1 Pros of air freight

• The most speedy and convenient method of transporting cargo from one part of the globe to another makes it ideal for time-sensitive shipments.
• Reliable courier service.
• Often includes premium shipping insurance.

2.2 Cons of air freight

• It is a relatively costly method of transportation, particularly for larger or heavier cargo.
• Limited weight capacity compared to ocean freight containers due to various restrictions on the size and shape of the cargo. 
• Susceptible to weather-dependent delays.
• Higher duty and VAT expenses.
• Significantly impacting air pollution, a plane generates 44 times more CO2 than a ship carrying the same weight over the same distance.

>>>> LEARN MORE: Distinguish the difference between container and air cargo in detail

3. What is ocean freight?

Ocean freight, also known as sea freight, is a shipping mode in which cargo is transported by sea. Typically, goods are loaded onto a container ship, which then traverses the ocean and across international borders.

The majority of ocean shipping occurs on commercial vessels that handle large volumes of cargo between ports. Alternatively, smaller vessels, including barges and tugboats, can also be employed for the transportation of cargo.

For companies requiring the transportation of large quantities of heavy goods over extended distances, ocean freight emerges as a cost-effective option. The most common types of ocean freight are RoRo ships (Roll-On Roll-Off), container ships, bulk carriers, and VLCCs (very large crude carriers).

Ocean freight is a dependable mode of transportation with a centuries-long history, establishing itself as a proven method for transporting goods across the globe. Accounting for over 80% of the world's cargo transportation, sea transport stands as a vital component in international trade, providing a reliable and cost-effective method for transporting bulk cargo across extensive distances, particularly when shipping goods to and from developed countries like the USA and China.

​4. Pros and cons of Ocean Freight

4.1 Pros of Ocean Freight

Some pros of Ocean Freight:

• Cheaper costs for shipping, just a fraction of the cost of air or land shipment. Simultaneously, it helps cost-effective shippers.

• Ocean freight offers a greater capacity for transporting goods in larger, bulkier loads compared to air freight. Large-scale shipments may be handled effectively and with relative ease.
• Duty and VAT expenses are generally lower.
• Better carbon footprint, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions and pollution compared to other alternatives, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

4.2 Cons of Ocean Freight

Some cons of Ocean Freight

• Longer delivery lead times compared to air cargo.

• Ocean freight is less reliable than air freight; weather-related delays and port congestion can cause significant disruptions in shipment schedules, resulting in lower visibility and challenges with container tracking.
• Not suitable for time-sensitive shipments.
• Goods transported via sea are typically handled multiple times before reaching their destination, elevating the risk of damage or breakage.
• Moreover, ocean freight is more susceptible to theft and damage, as containers remain unprotected for extended periods during transit.

5. Air freight and Ocean freight comparison

It's critical to make the appropriate decision while choosing the best method for your company's freight demands. Air freight and ocean freight differ in many ways, and the decision between the two should depend on the specific situation.

5.1 Cost

Ocean freight is generally 12 to 16 times cheaper than air freight, primarily because it leverages large-scale vessels capable of transporting substantial loads over greater distances at a lower cost. On the contrary, air freight is frequently more expensive due to escalating fuel costs and heightened demand for faster delivery times. Ocean freight emerges as the preferred choice for businesses seeking to optimize their shipping expenses, especially when dealing with larger quantities of goods or bulk shipments.

5.2 Delivery speed

Typically, air freight can deliver your goods to their destination faster than ocean freight, as it offers a more direct transportation option. Air freight can be delivered within days or weeks. On the other hand, ocean freight often necessitates 4-6 weeks of transit time, posing challenges for accommodating tight schedules.

5.3 Capacity and Flexibility

Comparing the capacity of air freight and ocean freight is crucial when determining the appropriate transport method for your shipments. In sheer volume, ocean freights can carry significantly larger items and loads compared to their airborne counterparts. This makes ocean freights a superior choice for transporting large quantities in a single shipment. Additionally, the global capacity of container ships is nearly triple that of air cargo.

Furthermore, factors like high demand and peak seasons can further diminish air freight capacity. As a result, businesses with larger shipments or substantial cargo volumes can gain advantages by opting for ocean freight, which offers ample space for efficient transportation.

Moreover, ocean freight offers flexibility in terms of schedules and regular services. Shipping lines offer regular departures to major ports worldwide, guaranteeing a reliable and consistent transportation service. This enables businesses to plan their shipments well in advance, fully leveraging fixed sailing schedules.

5.4 Convenience

When comparing air freight and ocean freight for convenience, air freight is generally the more favorable option. It offers a direct and time-efficient means of transporting goods that cannot afford weeks or months in transit. Ocean freight also necessitates more paperwork, documentation, and permits than air freight, making it a less convenient option.

5.5 Environmental impact

In the realm of environmental impact, ocean freight stands out as a more ecologically friendly mode of transportation compared to air cargo, thanks to its lower emissions. Air freight emits much more greenhouse emissions and is less energy efficient. Ocean freight is the better option for sustainability-focused businesses looking to lower their carbon footprint.

Consider the example of transporting goods from Hong Kong to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

• The average carbon emissions per kilogram of products delivered on this route by air freight are around 3.5 kilos of CO2. With a total weight of 10,000 kilograms, air freight emits approximately 35,000 kilograms (35 metric tons) of CO2.
• The average carbon emissions per kilogram of freight moved on the same journey by ocean freight are around 0.01 kilos of CO2. Given the weight of the cargo, ocean freight would emit around 100 kilos (0.1 tonnes) of CO2.

In summary, air freight on the Hong Kong-Rotterdam route generates approximately 350 times more CO2 emissions per kilogram of goods compared to sea freight.

5.6 Reliability

Air freight offers greater certainty than ocean freight. Delays and other challenges may arise when shipping by sea, making it difficult to guarantee an exact delivery date. In contrast, air freight is more reliable in this regard, offering a faster mode of transport with fewer variables that could impact the delivery time.

5.7 Risks of damage and theft

Ocean freight poses a higher risk of theft or damage due to the multiple handlings that goods must endure before reaching their final destination. In contrast, air freight does not face this issue, as the cargo is closely monitored and less likely to be mishandled.

5.8. Trade-off

The shift from air freight to ocean freight requires a reconsideration of the trade-off among three fundamental pillars: transport cost, customer service, and transport stock. Choosing ocean freight enhances the attractiveness of the cost dimension over the stock aspect. While air freight promises faster delivery, it often comes with higher transport costs.

Implementing an ocean freight tracking solution can greatly improve customer service. Providing real-time visibility and updates on the location and status of goods allows companies to engage proactively with customers, manage expectations, and boost overall customer satisfaction.

>>>> CLICK FOR MORE INFO: Bill of lading and airway bill difference

6. When to use ocean freight vs air freight?

In terms of delivery speed, the key consideration between air freight and ocean freight revolves around prioritizing cost-effectiveness versus time efficiency. If your business demands swift delivery, air freight is the clear choice, even if it comes at a higher cost. Conversely, opting for ocean freight provides lower costs but comes with slower transit times, especially over longer distances.

The notion of economies of scale applies here; cargoes weighing 50 tons or more can achieve substantial savings by utilizing the larger capacity cargo vessels of ocean freight. Finally, the choice between air freight and ocean freight is shaped by a combination of overall delivery requirements and budgetary considerations.

7. Factors to consider when choosing air freight vs sea freight

Beginner's luck simplifies decisions, especially when you're just starting out, particularly with samples. An international courier (express freight) can manage your sample shipment (to test the product) and likely your small trial shipment (to test the market).

However, when scaling up to larger shipments, you'll encounter courier weight and size restrictions, not to mention exorbitant costs. At this point, you'll need to answer the two questions below to make a decision and choose between air freight and ocean freight shipping.

7.1 Are you looking to save money?

Freight costs are weight-dependent, just like parcels. For smaller shipments (up to about 50 kilograms), express freight shipping is preferable. Beyond that weight, air freight becomes more cost-effective. 

Around the 500-kilogram mark (1100 lbs), ocean freight becomes more affordable, and the differences in cost can be staggering. For example, whereas an ocean shipment may cost $195, choosing air freight can cost $1,000. 

Because expenses do not remain constant, these weight cut-offs are only approximate.

7.2 Looking to save time?

Express freight transportation from China to the United States typically takes about 3 days, a notable difference from the 8-10 days required for air freight and the 30 days or more for ocean freight. Each of these ways has a faster premium alternative, with expedited ocean freight frequently slicing 10 days or more off the transit time.

Of course, there are options to potentially lower expenses, such as limiting (just the unnecessary!) packing or palletizing after import, which may lower the costs to make the air freight costs.

8. Frequently asked questions about air freight and ocean freight

8.1 What are the advantages of sea freight over air freight?

There are various advantages to using ocean freight over air freight. Firstly, it offers greater capacity and flexibility. Furthermore, it is more cost-effective, especially for bulk commodities or long-distance transportation. Finally, sea freight has a lesser carbon footprint.

8.2 Is air freight more expensive than sea freight?

Indeed, air freight is typically pricier than ocean freight. This increased cost in air freight is attributed to reasons such as higher fuel consumption, airport handling fees, and limited capacity for large shipments.

8.3 Which mode of transportation should I choose: Air freight or sea freight?

Usually, the primary consideration for opting for air service is the expedited delivery speed. In comparison to sea freight services, air transport enables a considerably shorter timeframe, especially beneficial for shipping items with limited shelf lives. However, the premium for faster service often results in higher transportation costs. The decision ultimately rests on determining what aligns best with your delivery strategy.

Therefore, when deciding between air freight and ocean freight, consider the urgency of your goods' arrival, your budget constraints, and the impact each mode will have on your business priorities. If your shipments face a tight and rapidly approaching deadline, and your budget permits, opt for air freight. Conversely, if you have more flexibility in arrival dates or prioritize cost savings, choose ocean freight.

9. How does Dolphin Sea Air help with air freight and sea freight?

At this point, you should possess all the necessary information regarding air freight and ocean freight shipping. To recap, air freight is ideal for merchants in need of fast, expedited shipping, while ocean freight is best suited for businesses shipping larger items, such as furniture, and looking to reduce shipping costs. Despite the pros and cons of both shipping methods, both air freight and ocean freight can efficiently transport your items from point A to B. 

Dolphin Sea Air is the perfect solution for businesses seeking fast and cost-effective goods transportation. With 20 offices in Vietnam and international agents worldwide, we are committed to providing the best transportation solutions, especially for import and export, at competitive prices.

Our team is always prepared to provide consultation and devise tailored routes for each business. Irrespective of the selected mode of transportation, businesses can trust that their goods are well-handled. 

Whether opting for air or ocean shipping, Dolphin Sea Air optimizes freight management, ensuring a smooth and secure shipment process for various businesses.

• Air Freight Services: We provide fixed schedules, competitive rates, and customized routes tailored to customers' needs.
• Sea Freight Services: Easily arrange shipments for large cargo to/from any global location, bypassing off-loading at the departure or transit port. We can accommodate any shipment request to local and international seaports, delivering optimal transport solutions.

Please contact us now for the best offer at:

Dolphin Sea Air Services Corporation

• Số hotline: 1900986813
• Email: info@dolphinseaair.com
• Office contact: 
  • Ha Noi: 18th Floor, Epic Tower, 19 Duy Tan Street, Dich Vong Hau Ward, Cau Giay District
  • Hai Phong: 3rd Floor, No 274 Danang Street, Van My Ward, Ngo Quyen District, Haiphong City
  • Da Nang: 6th Floor, Truc Thang Mien Trung Building, Nguyen Van Linh Roadm Thac Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District, Danang City
  • Ho Chi Minh City: 6th Floor, Hai Au Building, 39B Truong Son Street, Ward 4, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

The following article provides information about air freight and ocean freight services. Hopefully, the information provided by Dolphin Sea Air is complete. Visit the website to read more similar articles.

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