DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AIR AND MARINE FREIGHT
Air freight refers to carrying cargo through air routes via air transport vessels whereas marine freight refers to carrying cargo through marine routes via marine vessels.
Both have their differences, i.e., their pros and cons.
The following are the 4 differences between air and marine freight.
- COST: Shipping through the ocean is comparatively less expensive for huge and heavy cargo. However, the cost is largely dependent on the quantity of the shipment. Therefore, when the quantity of shipment is reduced, the price difference between air and ocean shipping is reduced as well.
- SPEED: Air freight is undeniably quicker than maritime freight. It can take a week for an ocean cargo to arrive but on the other hand, it takes only one or two days for an air freight to arrive at its destination.
- RELIABILITY: Weather conditions can disrupt air schedules far more easily than they do disrupt ocean voyages. Although flights are usually better adjusted and rescheduled accordingly. Also, flights are more frequent and are almost flown everyday whereas ships sail once a week. However, when a ships schedule is disrupted, it usually takes a few days to get back on track.
CARBON FOOTPRINT: CO2 emissions are minuscule compared to air freight. Considering all the factors, ocean freight has a much smaller carbon footprint.