Freight Forwarding vs. Cargo by Air: Which Option Is Right for You?

Where transportation of goods is an issue business entities are always exercised by the decision that they need to make between shipping via freight forwarder and air cargo. Each has its own merits and gives solutions to different requirements of logistical operations. This article will look at the details of with both options that will help you in choosing the right one in accordance with your needs.

Imperative Facts To Know About Freight Forwarding

Freight forwarding is a specialized service which intends to facilitate movement of goods from one place to another. Actually, forwarders are the key players, which work between shippers and carriers as a link in organizing the transport process. It also involves contract terms of freight rates and multimodal transport, arranging transportation, customs formalities and global movement of the transport goods.

The flexibility that comes with the use of freight forwarding is probably one of the biggest benefits of this service. Freight forwarders have directly access to one or series of carriers and means of transport, whether by sea, road, air or rails. This makes it possible for them to avail solutions that reach the precise needs of their customer. Freight forwarders use their knowledge and contacts to negotiate with providers for the most reasonable charges and efficient transit, not vanishing with the delivery.

The Benefits of Cargo by Air

On the other hand air cargo means the actual carriage of goods by air in airplanes without counting on any other mode of transport. This and this method is favored due to the short time it takes to deliver the shipments and satisfy urgent clients. It’s where time is a critical factor as it the best mode of transportation since it is faster than sea or even road transport.

Also, air cargo is very secure since the strict measurers and measures put in place regarding air transport contributes to low risks of theft or damage. A cargo by air transport is suitable for valuable goods, perishable products, and urgent products. Air transport is however more costly than the other modes of transport but the advantages that come with it over power the demerit especially where speed of delivery is critical.

Cost Considerations

Comparing between freight forwarding and cargo by air, cost is usually one of the considerations. Transportation by way of freight forwarding is commonly more economical for bigger consignments or where the consignment is non-urgent. This is especially because forwarders can easily organize their transport through sea or land transport options and hereby lead to low overall shipping costs, which may be an advantage to many organizations.

On the other hand air freight is usually expensive than the ocean freight in terms of cost bear in mind the transit time and handling charge are also faster. But the cost can be justified when the shipment is important or the goods are required urgently and fast delivery is the key. One has to take the balance analysis of both in order to determine which one is most suitable given the overall strategies and budget for the logistics.

Customization and Control

The third important factor has to do with your level of customization or control desired in your shipment operations. Freight forwarders adapt to all your needs because you get to select the mode of transport and the services you desire. This can also extend to include transport right from the door of the customer to storage and even packaging services. When engaging a freight forwarder, you can create a logistics plan which meets your exact requirements.

Despite lower level of customisation compared to transport options, it gives one of the best control powers over the shipment. Unlike other forms of transport, airlines follow tight schedules to make sure your shipment will be shipped and delivered at a specific time. Such predictability is, for instance, important for firms engaged in just-in-time delivery of materials and goods.

Environmental Impact

However, the interests of stakeholders cannot be satisfied without considering the environmental footprint of logistics operations in the world that has become more mindful of the environment. In most cases, sea or land transport based freight forwarding service providers has comparatively minimal environmental impact in terms of carbon emissions as compared to air cargo services. Ships and trucks are however slower means and they consume less fuel per ton-mile and emit less greenhouse gases.

Air cargo, however, is recognized to generate higher emission given that air freight is a combustible activity. Despite this, improvement in aviation processes and technologies as well as effort towards sustainability have succeeded in reducing this effect. Companies that have sustainability as part of their strategic plan may need to look at the environment impact of their choosing a shipping company and possibly join an offset program or look at other environmentally friendly shipping options.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

In the end, each one should come back to their factors of consideration, which are the objectives and parameters, to decide about the better option between freight forwarding and air cargo. That is why, if your main concerns are cost and versatility, freight forwarding is going to be more suitable for you especially in case of offering big shipments or those which do not need urgent delivery. On the other hand, if speed is of essence and security is a priority then cargo by air offers the kind of timely service that is required for making urgent deliveries.

You need to consider your shipping needs holistically in order to get the most suitable solution to meet them. Consult with your logistics providers, analyze your costs, and value of products that are being transported.