When it comes to transporting your goods, products and items, it’s important that you consider the way and mode or transport you are going to use when planning the shipping process. Besides the costs, the timeframe and the value of your items being shipped as well as the size and weight of the items, all of this will need to be evaluated when it comes to deciding on the form of transport you will use. At Mac Logistics Liverpool we have been providing freight services across the UK, Europe and on a worldwide basis for a number of years, with this in mind we are experienced and skilled in how to transport your goods safely.
Sea Freight
Sea freight, also referred to as ocean freight, is a lot less expensive as a method of shipping goods, however, it does take a lot longer for other types of goods transportation and freight. With sea freight, it can accommodate a lot of space, weight and sizes, something that could be an issue for air freight. Sea freight is used a lot and is very popular when it comes to bulk commodities like agri-products such as wheat, maize and soy as well as coal, iron ore and wet bulk products like crude oil and petroleum. Ocean freight is also great for bigger, odd-shaped shipping like manufacturing equipment, so sea freight is a good option for this but if it is time-sensitive, you will need to consider the longer timeframe. Ocean freight is another preferred method of transport, especially when it comes to moving high volume and heavy cargo like metals, ores, steel, coils and minerals, all of which will be impossible to move by air freight. These days, a lot of organisations and businesses are considering the environmental impact that shipping covers, for example, air freight will emit a much higher amount of polluting gases in comparison to sea freight. Ocean freight is seen to be a much more greener mode of transport, as well as providing a larger carrying capacity.
The benefits of ocean freight…
- Ocean freight is suitable for a large range of products, as well as those with long lead times.
- Large volumes can be shipped in one go.
- A lot more environmentally friendly in comparison to other types of freight.
- More economical – the most efficient way of transporting goods.
- Extensive coverage across the world.
- Multiple carrier options for shippers
Air Freight
Air freight is seen as being a very important mode of shipping transportation, it serves many different markets and supply chains, especially those that need speed. Those industries in the automotive and retail industry use air freight frequently as inventory management and replenishment programs allow shops and production lines to place orders on fulfillment based demands, as well as those times it is required. Air freight will also provide a lot more flexibility as well as reducing inventory and storage costs.
Perishable items like foods, flowers and pharmaceuticals are also better in shorter transit times, another benefit of air freight is that there’ll be less handling of the cargo overall, so there’s likely to be no damage.
Air freight tends to be a lot more expensive, this is due to the need for speed as well as the amount of fuel that’s used. Air freight will also come with size and weight limitations, regulatory bodies are available to limit what can and can’t be transported by air, like large items or strange-shaped products.
To summarise, we consider the key benefits of air freight…
- Quick transit times
- Less cargo handling
- Less documentation required
- Much more reliable arrivals and departure times and dates
- High level of security for your items
Road Freight
Road freight tends to be one of the most common modes of transport, it’s used on a worldwide basis and across Europe, Africa and North America. The process involves little paperwork and single customs documentation which supports a seamless movement of goods across a range of countries.
Road freight offers different advantages over other modes and types of transportation…
- Cost effective
- Efficiency and scheduled deliveries
- Local as well as long and short-haul deliveries that cover rural areas
- Flexibility
- Packing cost price savings
- Track and trace available for cargo trucks
- A complete door to door service
Road freight and truck transport is also limited when it comes to the size of the vehicles used as well as size and weight restrictions. Another limit is the weather, road conditions and traffic.
For more information on freight forwarding services, get in touch with Mac Logistics Liverpool today. Should you be unsure of the correct transport service for your goods and items, our friendly team comes with a wealth of experience and can provide you with the correct advice.
At Mac Logistics Liverpool we provide sea, road and air freight services from our base in the UK and across the seas. Our services also include container loading and unloading, distribution services, export packing, warehousing and fulfilment centre services. We aim to provide the most cost-effective, efficient and safe shipping services for our customers and clients across the UK and worldwide.
