When it comes to shipping goods globally, there are two main freight transportation types: air freight and ocean freight.

Both have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, so it can be difficult to decide which is the best option for your business.

In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of both air freight and ocean freight, so that you can make an informed decision about which type of shipping is best for your company.

Advantages of Air Freight

Planes are able to go hundreds of miles an hour in a straight line, so the travel time for your goods is going to be significantly shorter than it would be if you were shipping by cargo ship.

If you need your goods to arrive at their destination quickly, then air freight is the way to go.

In addition, planes typically fly directly from point A to point B, so there are no stops along the way (unlike ships, which often have to make several stops at different ports). This means that your goods are less likely to be damaged or lost in transit.

Another advantage of air freight is that it is not affected by weather conditions as much as ocean freight. Ships can be delayed for days or even weeks due to bad weather, but planes will almost always be able to take off and land regardless of the weather.

Disadvantages of Air Freight

The biggest disadvantage of air freight is that it is much more expensive than ocean freight. If you are shipping a large number of goods, then the cost of air freight can quickly become prohibitive.

In addition, there are weight and size restrictions on what can be shipped by air, so if you are shipping large or heavy items, you may need to use ocean freight instead.

Another disadvantage of air freight is that it has a larger carbon footprint than ocean freight. If you are shipping goods internationally, you will need to take this into consideration if your
company is trying to position itself as an economic and environmentally responsible organization.

Advantages of Ocean Freight

When choosing ocean freight, you will be able to take advantage of its low cost. Shipping by boat is much cheaper than shipping by plane, so if you are shipping a large number of goods, it will be more affordable to use ocean freight.

In addition, ocean freight is not as affected by weight and size restrictions as air freight. This means that you can ship larger and heavier items by ocean freight without having to worry about
your cargo being charged extra fees.

Another advantage of ocean freight is that it has a smaller carbon footprint than air freight. If you are concerned about the environmental impact of your shipping, then ocean freight is the more eco-friendly option.

Disadvantages of Ocean Freight

One of the main disadvantages of ocean freight is that it takes much longer for your goods to reach their destination. If you need your goods to arrive quickly, then you should use air freight
instead.

In addition, ocean freight can have several weather delays depending on how bad the conditions are. If your cargo is time sensitive, you may not want to use ocean freight for your
shipping.

Another disadvantage of ocean freight is the number of stops ships tend to make before reaching the final port. Not only does this lead to a longer shipping time, but it could increase the possibility of your goods being lost while in transit.

If you prefer to minimize some of the risks involved with shipping, you may want to stick with air freight.

Maps Can Help You Choose

Integrating a map API into your business is a good idea if you are going to be shipping internationally. Using a map API, you’ll be able to get live updates on ship and plane locations, as well as estimated arrival times.

This will help you make more informed decisions about which freight shipping method to use for your business and which one is saving you the most money. You can even use the data from your map’s API to ensure your shipping carriers are using the most efficient route.
Since the API integrates into your entire system, you can view it using any browser, giving you more information no matter where you are.

Choosing Air Freight or Ocean Freight

If you need your packages to be delivered quickly and aren’t worried about price, then air freight is the best option for you. However, if you are shipping a large number of goods or heavy items, ocean freight will be the more affordable option. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages so the decision will ultimately depend on your business’ needs.