The Benefits of Shipping by Sea over Shipping by Air

Whether you need to move goods for business purposes or your possessions, you will, at some point, ponder over shipping them by sea or by air. On the one hand, sending them on a plane is, without a doubt, the fastest, and if time is of the essence, it will be a valid choice. On the other hand, sea shipping, despite being slower, offers other disadvantages which often make it a better option.

Unsurprisingly, sea shipping tends to be cheaper, especially if you are able to fill whole containers. Unfortunately, if you aren’t, you will still be charged as if you were. A solution is to ship LCL (less container loads), where you share your container with someone else, although it can cause extra delays. If your cargo fills less than half a container, air freight will probably be a more economical solution.

While you may think that faster is better, it is not always the case. For individuals relocating, for example, having a few weeks before all of their belongings arrive may be just what they need to settle down and organise themselves, and will also save them from having to organise and pay for storage.

Environmentally minded people will obviously know that plane gas emissions are high, and maritime shipping is by far a more sustainable method of transportation. But choosing sea shipping isn’t only about being ethical, it also makes business sense as green credentials can help companies win more business and qualify for tax rebates.

It is true that sea freight has the disadvantage of not being completely predictable, as weather conditions can affect journeys, but if your cargo is bulky, oddly shaped or of considerable size, it will be a practical and cost-effective solution.

For further information on vehicle shipping, contact us, phone us on +64 9 303 0075, or get a free quote.

Click here to see our reference guide to making car shipping stress free with our tried and tested 1-2-3 step process.