Five Advantages of Ocean Freight Shipping – The Optimal Mode of Transporting Goods

There is no doubt that ocean shipping provides the most economical means of carrying freight for transporters, particularly across extensive distances. In fact, estimates demonstrate that the costs for ocean shipping are typically between four and six times lower in comparison to air transport. Statistics such as this suggest that transportation by ocean shipping would be the most inexpensive international transport option.

Irrespective of the volume of the shipments, companies conducting sea freight usually can accommodate various requirements on vessels designed to carry large quantities of raw materials or other goods. Small shipments may be kept together within a container so that the transportation service costs are shared. On the other hand, larger shipments of cargo may be accommodated in several containers if necessary, meaning that shippers will have efficient bulk carrying options. Efficiency is also increased at specific ports which utilise the latest equipment and technology that ensure shipments are quickly and safely unloaded for transport. Examples of this can be seen at the Colombo Port and the operations of container terminals operated by the likes of South Asia Gateway Terminals.

A significant advantage of freight shipping via sea would be the capability of shipping companies to deal with oversized, bulky or heavy cargo, frequently described as Not in Trailer (NIT) or breakbulk loads. Examples of this kind of cargo would be massive vehicles, constructions materials, large equipment and so on. This type of cargo would often be too large or heavy for air shipping or transportation over roads but could easily be accommodated in suitable seagoing vessels which can travel to ports the world over.

Modern ships have been designed to enable them to transport hazardous cargoes and other potentially dangerous materials safely. The ocean shipping industry is very familiar with how these materials should be handled and there are regulations that are implemented to assure the total safety of the ships and cargo, crew and environment. The loss and damage of cargo due to incidents occurring during the transportation is continuously diminishing as the safety of maritime operations increases, with a significant drop in the last decade. Additionally, containers in use have been designed to enable them to be locked and sealed during transport for added security.

In comparison to ocean shipping, air transport and most other kinds of transportation feature a much greater carbon footprint which is a drawback when it comes to the environment. In contrast, ships may be considered to be a very carbon-efficient means of transportation, producing a lesser amount of gas exhaust emissions with regard to a ton of transported cargo than all other methods of shipment. The already low levels of emissions will keep diminishing as technologies improve further, advanced ships become operational and liquefied natural gas (LNG) power gains popularity.