Buying from foreign establishments gives you access to goods you wouldn’t normally get in local stores. If they happen to be available, international companies may offer them at a lower price. Aside from purchasing products overseas, you would also need a reliable freight forwarder in Singapore when you send goods to foreign customers.

However, you should know that there are two primary modes of transport regarding goods from overseas: air and sea freight shipping in Singapore. Deciding which method suits your needs can be difficult to determine.

Like everything else, there are pros and cons to each shipping method. Depending on several factors, one mode of transport may be more beneficial than the other. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses allows you to determine if air freight in Singapore is the better choice than sea and vice versa.

Continue reading this article if you wish to know more about the pros and cons of air and sea freight shipping in Singapore.

Air vs. Sea Freight in Singapore: 12 Pros & Cons You Need to Know

    I.        Air Freight

A.   Pros

1. Quick Shipping

Travelling by air is, by far, the fastest way to get from one place to another. The same applies to shipping goods. If you are in a rush to deliver products somewhere overseas, asking your freight forwarder in Singapore to take this approach will be your best solution.

Generally, goods arrive at their destination within several days. This quick delivery makes it an ideal choice for companies who send perishable products, such as food.

2. Extensive Global Reach

Unlike sea freight in Singapore, travelling by air is a viable option since there are no landscape obstacles like mountains that could cause delays. Planes don’t have to worry about oceans, hills, or other dangerous terrains. Therefore, people receive their packages on time.

3. Generally Safer

When you compare air freight to other means of shipping goods, you’re most likely to discover that this method is generally the safest option to send goods since airport policies enforce strict handling, storing, and securing shipment. Although there are several risks, such as crashes or equipment malfunction, these disadvantages are common to all other shipping methods.

B.   Cons

1. More Expensive

Since air freight in Singapore is generally the best shipping method available, this benefit comes at a cost. Unlike other means of transporting goods, using planes to send products is the most expensive one.

Their higher cost means companies should only consider air freight if they ship high-value products. They should consider cheaper methods, such as sea freight, if they send cheap goods.

2. Size & Weight Limitations

Unlike other shipping methods like sea freight, companies need to understand that planes generally have lower weight limitations than boats. Since their interior is generally smaller and more compact, you cannot expect to send most of your goods, especially if they are around several hundred tons.

3. Delays Due to Inclement Weather

If you are a regular customer at the airport, you would know that weather conditions are crucial in determining whether planes take off or not. The same rule applies to air freight shipping in Singapore.

Since inclement weather can cause planes to crash, especially if carrying tons of goods, airport personnel are generally stricter when deciding if cargo planes will fly.

  II.        Sea Freight

A.   Pros

1. Carries More Goods

When your business involves shipping tons of heavy goods or materials, you need to work with a freight forwarder in Singapore who has access to boats. Unlike planes, this mode of transport has room for pieces of machinery, automobiles, and industrial components. Sea freight is an excellent option for companies that send tons of goods to their overseas clients.

2. More Affordable

Another advantage of sea freight in Singapore is its cheaper shipping rates. Since boats have plenty of room for various goods, it isn’t difficult to find space to accommodate your products. Additionally, you share the total shipping cost with other companies who send items alongside yours.

3. More Environmentally Friendly

When you compare ships to aircraft, the latter generally consumes more fuel, leading to a higher carbon footprint. These carbon emissions cause damage to the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Although sea freight still has carbon emissions, it is generally lower than what planes emit. This advantage makes them the better option for companies who wish to become more eco-friendly.

B.   Cons

1. Slow Shipping

However, perishable goods are not viable products for sea freight shipping in Singapore. Typically, ships can take several weeks to bring their shipment from one port to another. This duration can increase or decrease depending on the destination. Additionally, this timeline doesn’t account for potential delays, which could prolong the delivery time.

2. Involves Plenty of Risks

Since sea freight shipping can take several weeks up to a month before arriving at its destination, various obstacles or issues could happen during its journey. Pirates also operate in some areas, such as the Malacca-Singapore Straits and the Gulf of Aden in Africa.

3. Not Available Everywhere

Unlike air freight in Singapore, ships lack access to some geographical locations. These areas will most likely have no ports or areas large enough to host huge boats. Moreover, some harbours lack the necessary infrastructure to handle some ships.

Conclusion

Deciding whether air or sea freight is your best option depends on various factors. Some of these include goods you intend to send, time, and price. Aside from those aspects, you also need to consider the pros and cons of each shipping method.

Should you decide to pick air freight in Singapore, you will enjoy quick delivery times, safe travels, and access to more locations. However, you will also have to face more expensive fees, size or weight limitations, and the likelihood of delays due to inclement weather.

On the other hand, sea freight in Singapore provides you with benefits, such as affordable shipping costs, higher weight limitations, and fewer carbon emissions. Unfortunately, you would also have to consider its slow progress, risks, and limited availability.

Whatever shipping method you choose, remember to consider its pros and cons to ensure you get the most out of it while minimising its risks.

Companies with clients from overseas require the best freight forwarder in Singapore. If you need a reliable partner to handle your outgoing shipment, check out Star Concord. Learn more about its services, such as international freight forwarding, warehousing solutions, and logistics management.