In today’s globalized economy, offshore manufacturing is generally known to save a significant amount of money. Factories in Africa and Europe can produce high-quality goods at very reasonable prices, at this point Africa – Europe logistics is very important. However, it’s vital to understand precisely how those goods will arrive at their destination in terms of international manufacturing and shipping logistics.

Air freight  and sea freight have distinct advantages and disadvantages when exporting various types of cargo. This article will examine the differences and help you determine which delivery method is best for you.

Air Freights

Air freight is simply the movement of commodities via aircraft. Products can be transported to their destination on conventional passenger flights or dedicated cargo planes. Air freight is the fastest and safest route to transport goods from one continent to another.

Air cargo is classified as either general or special cargo. Standard air cargo ships transport regular commodities that do not require specific conditions, while special air freight transports sensitive products with extra care.

Sea Freight

Sea freight refers to the carrying of products by commercial ocean vessels. It is the most popular means of moving commodities from one location to another, especially in international trade.

When employing sea freight, things are loaded into intermodal containers and carried by cargo carriers. These commodities can be shipped as Full Container Loads (FCL) or Less-than Container Loads (LCL), depending on whether the buyer wants to buy the entire container or part of it.

6 Factors to consider when choosing between sea freight and air freight

1. Budget.

In most cases, sea freight is the least expensive option. According to one study, air freight costs 12-16 times more than marine freight—a $100 maritime freight shipment costs at least $1200 by air.

But there’s a catch. This difference is significant mainly when your package is heavy. When a package is small and less than a full container’s cargo, its cost is computed in cubic meters, which can often be significantly more expensive than air freight for the same package.

2. Timeline.

Air freight is the clear victor in this category. It can deliver your items in a few days or weeks, whereas sea freight often takes 4-6 weeks. Although various ‘rapid marine freight’ options have emerged in recent years, they are still no match for air freight.

These are the three key benefits that air freight has over maritime freight.

1. Air freight is a more direct choice for transporting your goods. In other words, your shipment will make it to the final mile, no matter how far away the consignee is. On the other hand, sea freight requires extra transit, such as rail, trucks, or air, to reach the final destination.

2. Unlike air freight, marine freight is exposed to various external circumstances that can influence its travel time. Port hold-ups, customs, and weather conditions are some of sea freight’s most prevalent challenges.

3. Even if you miss your air freight deadline, there will be a few delays because there are many planes daily. The same cannot be said for maritime freight, which travels less regularly.

3. The amount of cargo

The world’s largest cargo ship, capable of carrying 24,346 twenty-foot equivalent cargo units. In layperson’s terms, the boat can accommodate 24,346 20-foot containers. Each conventional 20-foot container contains 1,172 cubic feet of volume. Now, do the maths for 24,346 containers. That’s mind-boggling, right?

The capacity of air freight is a mere fraction of this. The Boeing 747 is one of the world’s largest aircraft, but when configured as a freighter, this jet can only transport approximately 26,000 cubic feet of cargo.

So, sea freight is superior if you’re moving bulky or heavy things. This rule also applies to large-scale shipments. However, air freight may be better if you have time constraints or are delivering perishable items.

4. Environmental impact.

The environmental impact of sea freight versus air freight is often measured by characteristics such as fuel consumption, emissions, and overall sustainability. Marine freight generally has a lower carbon footprint per tonne of cargo moved than air freight because planes emit more greenhouse gases during flight.

Here are some numbers that prove this.

On average, flights generate 500 grams of CO2/metric tonnes of cargo per kilometer of travel.

Ships, on the other hand, emit only about 10 to 40 grams of CO2 each kilometer.

Also, new restrictions governing ship carbon emissions will be enacted in January 2024. According to these restrictions, new and current ships must reduce their carbon emissions or purchase comparable carbon credits to counteract them. This means that ships’ carbon emissions will be further reduced, making them more environmentally friendly.

So, if you are an environmentally sensitive business that wants to lower its carbon impact, you know where to go.

5. Cargo Safety

Which is one of the few criteria without a clear winner. Finally, it relies on your products’ risk profile and how well they are handled during the loading and unloading.

According to one school of thought, sea freight is more likely to be damaged or stolen because products are often handled numerous times before arriving at their destination. Air freight cargo is less likely to be mistreated and is continuously monitored, lowering the chance of damage. Airports have strict security measures in place to keep out intruders and thieves. Air freight may be a superior option for small-volume, high-value commodities.

Another school of thought says maritime freight is not far behind in terms of cargo safety. After all, products are packed tightly into conventional containers before being loaded onto ships. These containers provide a secure and sealed environment for the products within. In other words, the risk of shipping damage from stormy seas, poor weather conditions, and handling processes is significantly reduced in these containers. Sea freight is a better choice if you’re delivering huge items and are concerned about their safety.

But all your concerns are take care of by professionals at Geedlaa Logistics 

6. Restrictions on cargo types

Both marine freight and air freight have their own set of constraints. The level of constraints varies depending on factors such as cargo type, laws, and destination. However, marine freight has an advantage in terms of total flexibility.

Air freight is generally subject to far more regulations than maritime freight. We’re not only talking about strict airport security measures or weight restrictions air cargo carriers impose. Restrictions on certain hazardous items are also widespread in air travel. For example, certain goods, such as harmful chemicals, magnetic things, toxic and corrosive items, flammable liquids, and so on, are often forbidden or subject to special handling regulations in air freight.

Sea freight is often more adaptable regarding the cargo kinds it may transport. However, it faces its own set of hurdles and restrictions, including customs laws, import/export limits, and port-specific requirements, to mention a few. Overall, the stricter constraints imposed by air freight make sea freight a more versatile alternative for most people.

Final Thoughts 

Choosing between air freight and sea freight ultimately depends on your business priorities — speed, cost, volume, environmental impact, or cargo type. While air freight offers unmatched speed and security for time-sensitive or high-value goods, sea freight remains the go-to solution for large, cost-efficient shipments with fewer restrictions.

At Geedlaal Logistics, we understand that every shipment has its own story and unique needs. Whether it’s the urgency of air freight or the scale of sea freight, we’re equipped to handle it with precision and professionalism. Let us simplify your logistics journey — whichever route you take.