For anyone sending cargo internationally, it is well known that ocean freight shipping is an option that offers shippers transportation services at an economical price point. More than 90 percent of the goods transported in the world are carried by the international shipping industry. But with alternative options, such as air, road, and rail transportation, why should a shipper consider ocean transport?
Economical
The ocean shipping industry offers the most competitive freight costs to shippers, especially over long distances. By comparison, some estimates show that ocean freight shipping costs are generally four to six times less expensive than air.
Efficiency
No matter the size of your shipments, sea freight companies can usually accommodate your needs. Smaller shipments can be grouped with other cargo to fill a container, allowing for cost-sharing of transportation services. Larger cargo can fill one or more containers, offering shippers unmatched bulk options.
Oversized, heavy, and bulky cargo capability
A significant advantage of sea freight shipping is shipping companies’ ability to handle oversized, heavy, or bulky cargo – often referred to as breakbulk or Not in Trailer (NIT) loads. Such cargo could include large vehicles, equipment, construction materials, and more.
Safety
Ships are designed to carry hazardous materials and dangerous cargo safely. Cargo loss caused by incidents during transportation is continually dropping as maritime safety increases and has fallen significantly in the past decade.
Environmental friendliness
When compared to other forms of transportation that have much higher carbon footprints – a definite disadvantage for the environment, ships, on the other hand, provide the most carbon-efficient mode of transportation and produce fewer grams of exhaust gas emissions for each ton of cargo transported than any other shipment method.