When it comes to transporting goods, there is no doubt that air transport is faster than maritime transport. Ocean shipments can take weeks to arrive, while air transport can get your products to their destination in just one or two days. While ships are getting faster and maritime routes are constantly being optimized, nothing beats the speed of air transport. Air freight is the most direct option and usually takes no more than 2 to 4 days. However, it is often accompanied by higher transportation costs than shipping.
Ocean freight takes longer and often requires 4 to 6 weeks of transit time, making it harder to meet tight schedules. But there are now maritime LCL services that can compete with air transport in terms of time and cost. Air transport is the best option for shipping products with a limited lifespan, such as food, perishable goods, medicines or other items of that nature. It provides a direct and time-efficient means of transportation for goods that cannot wait weeks or months in transit. On the other hand, shipping offers greater capacity to carry goods in bulkier loads, meaning that carriers can efficiently manage large-scale shipments with relative ease. When choosing between air or sea transport, it is important to consider the cost dimension as well as the stock aspect.
Air freight prices are very volatile: you can get good rates if you book early, but you'll pay 3 to 5 times more if you book at the last minute. So, air or sea transport now? These services are adapted to high-value products, with a critical but not immediate expiration date.