There are many ocean freight advantages that shippers can benefit from when using a marine transportation service. International shipping options are somewhat limited, but shippers still want to be sure they are making the right choice. Understanding the advantages that ocean freight transportation will help shippers reach a decision with confidence.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), around 90 percent of global trade used marine transport. Some ocean freight advantages include:
Each of these advantages makes ocean shipping a reliable way for exporters to send their goods overseas.
Discover how each ocean freight advantage will help you during the shipping process.
The reason so many importers and exporters choose ocean transportation as their shipping option is because of all the advantages associated with using it. While other transportation services are used in international commerce, such as air freight, none of them perform to the same degree as vessel shipping.
One reason exporters are drawn to ocean transportation is because of how efficient it is. There are two reasons why ocean freight is more efficient than other modes of international shipping.
They are:
While vessels can vary in size, all of them are able to carry massive amounts of freight. The carrying capacity of ocean vessels is measured in twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUs. Based on their design, ocean vessels can carry anywhere between 4,500 and 18,000 worth of TEU at once.
Another reason why ocean freight shipping is efficient is because of containerization. These large receptacles are able to carry an assortment of different freight. The cargo space within and on top of ocean vessels allows them to transport multiple containers at once.
Check out our article on the benefits of FCL to discover some of the other benefits of this service.
Many exporters pick ocean shipping over other modes of transportation due to the numerous service options it provides. There are many types of container ships that are used for transporting goods to and from different countries. These ships are designed to carry a variety of sea freight besides just what fits in a standard marine shipping container.
There are ships specifically designed for: :
Roll-On/Roll-Off vessels are typically used for the transportation of vehicles. Dry and liquid bulk goods are transported by bulk carriers and tanker vessels, respectively. Having so many service options gives ocean freight shipping an edge over other forms of international transportation.
Check out our article on the 5 types of goods transported by sea to learn about the main categories of freight that can be shipped on a vessel.
Another advantage of ocean freight shipping is how cheap it is in comparison to other modes of international transportation. There are a few reasons why exporting goods to another country via ocean transportation is less expensive.
Marine shipping benefits from the::
As we’ve mentioned, ocean vessels have the capacity to transport extremely large volumes of freight. This means that the cost to book space is less because there’s so much of it that can be used. Other shipping options can’t even come close to the transport capacity of the average container ship.
The fuel efficiency of ocean shipping is another factor that contributes to the budget-friendly nature of this service. Compared to air travel, ocean vessels use up much less fuel.
| Mode of Transportation | Average Speed | Fuel Used Per Ton of Cargo |
| Cargo Ship | 20 Nautical Miles | 1 Mile Per Gallon (after traveling 576 miles) |
| Plane | 560 Nautical Miles | 4.5 Miles Per Gallon |
Provided by the Conservation Fund
Fuel costs are factored into the total cost of a shipment, regardless of the mode of transport being used. That said, this particular cost will be lower for ocean freight because of how efficiently vessels burn fuel. Another added benefit of fuel efficiency is that it makes ocean shipping much more eco-friendly compared to other transport options.
While there are many advantages, there are downsides that come with using ocean freight, too. Therefore, exporters should consider their needs before sending their freight overseas.
Factors exporters should consider include:
Shipping freight off by vessel is economically viable for bulkier freight or when shipping various container volumes. However, the smaller the amount of freight an exporter has, the less viable ocean shipping becomes. The amount of time is another factor exporters need to consider.
Freight takes much longer to travel by sea than it does via other modes of transportation. Depending on where the shipment is traveling, ocean freight can take as long as 45 days to arrive at the port of another country. There is also the possibility that port congestion can cause delays. Ocean shipping works best for exporters that have non-urgent freight.
The dimensions of an exporter’s freight are another factor that should be considered. Due to the various vessel designs and sizes, just about every type of freight can be transported by sea. This is an awesome advantage when merchandise is large and bulk.
If the size of an exporter’s freight is small in quantity and size, then using ocean freight shipping might not be the best option. Small amounts of freight could easily get lost in the vastness of containers, especially if it’s traveling as an LCL shipment.
If an exporter has determined that having their freight transported by sea isn’t viable, then they can explore other international options.
There are two other options that exporters can utilize when sending goods to another country.
Each of these alternatives can supplement the shortcomings of ocean freight in a few different ways.
The best alternative to ocean shipping is international air. While air and ocean freight rates are drastically different from one another, air freight services make up for many of the downsides of ocean shipping.
Some benefits of international air shipping include:
The speed of air transport is unmatched when compared to ocean transport. An air shipment of freight will arrive at the final destination in another country within three to five business days. The flight itself is only a matter of hours, but related services stretch that into a few days.
However, planes can’t transport as much freight at one time as ocean vessels can. That said, most exporters that use international air shipping don’t have much freight to send. This transportation option is best suited for shippers with smaller quantities of freight or with very time sensitive items.
The only delays to air freight are caused by weather. Typically, weather delays don’t last very long and shipments will start flying out once weather conditions have improved. Even in such cases, freight is still likely to arrive sooner than if it had traveled by vessel.
Rail transportation also leaves behind a reduced carbon footprint due to its fuel efficiency. Therefore, exporters can expect rail transportation to be affordable. This mode of transportation can transport freight faster than a vessel can.
One downside to rail is that it’s only viable when shipping goods to Canada or Mexico from the United States. Exporters who have customers on the other side of the Pacific or Atlantic oceans won’t be able to receive goods coming by rail, at least not directly.
When shipping to Europe, however, it is possible to make forwarding arrangements with local rail shipping services after goods arrive by ocean vessel. This allows you to reach nations without suitable ports, or who may be landlocked.
The continent has an extensive rail network and makes it possible for you to explore markets in various nations. Our experienced freight forwarding agents can help you get in touch with the appropriate parties.
If you’re ready to experience every ocean freight advantage, USA Freight Forwarding Services has you covered. Our experienced forwarders can handle all the logistical challenges that come with organizing an international shipment.
You can also use some of our other services:
Our international air shipping will be perfect if you need to ship goods off in a short time frame. If you’re not sure what mode of transport you need, or have other concerns, schedule a consulting session with one of our experienced forwarders. They have the knowledge and experience to help you through the process.
Get started by filling out a contact form now or calling our team (866) 941-8081.
