Advantages and Disadvantages Of Ocean Freight Shipping

Ocean Freight Shipping

Are you looking for an efficient way of shipping your e-commerce products to customers around the world? Ocean freight shipping could be the solution you’ve been searching for. It is generally a more affordable option than air shipment and offers superior capacity. However, before taking the plunge it’s important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages that ocean freight brings along with it. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into exactly what they are – so read on if you want to make sure this is the right choice for your business!

Importance of Ocean Freight for Online Merchants

The power of eCommerce is largely dependent upon freight forwarding services to connect online merchants with their customers. By providing timely access to a worldwide supply chain of freight and freight forwarding specialists, these services offer a crucial point of contact between the merchant and the customer. With features such as tracking numbers, real-time notifications about shipments and availability for specialised cargo needs – ocean freight takes the traditional brick-and-mortar system and adds an international dynamic.

For expanding businesses that require easy access to international markets, having efficient freight shipping operations is essential for continued progress. When customers are able to receive packages from around the world in a timely manner, current trends suggest that companies will continue to see positive outcomes from their investments in freight forwarding services.

Advantages of Ocean Freight for eCommerce Sellers

Cost-Effective

Cost efficiency is one of the primary advantages of ocean freight shipping for any merchant. Shipping goods by ocean freight is typically much cheaper than shipping them by air, and it can also be cheaper than shipping them by land in some cases. This makes ocean freight shipping an attractive option for businesses that are looking to save money on shipping costs.

Reliable

Another advantage of ocean freight shipping is that it is a reliable form of transportation. Ships sail on set schedules and arrive at their destinations on time, which makes it easy for businesses to plan their shipments in advance. Ships are not subject to the same weather conditions as other forms of transportation, which means that they are less likely to be delayed or cancelled due to weather.

Capacity

Ocean freight ships have a large capacity, which means that they can transport large quantities of goods at once. This is beneficial for businesses that need to ship large orders, as it can save time and money. Further, it allows businesses to ship items that are too large or heavy to be shipped by air or land.

Environment-Friendly

This freight shipping method is also environment-friendly for online sellers, as it emits fewer greenhouse gases than other forms of transportation. This is important for businesses that are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and operate in a more sustainable way. Additionally, ocean freight ships use less fuel than other types of transportation, which further reduces emissions.

Flexible Delivery Options

Ocean freight shipping offers flexible delivery options, which means that businesses can choose the option that best suits their needs. For example, businesses can choose to have their goods delivered directly to their doorstep or to a port where they can be picked up at a later date. This flexibility makes ocean freight shipping a convenient option for businesses of all sizes.

Disadvantages of Ocean Freight Shipping

Slow Shipping Timeline

The primary disadvantage of ocean freight shipping is that it can take a long time for goods to reach their destination. While this may not be a problem for some sellers, this can be an issue if the seller needs to meet tight deadlines or must have the items delivered quickly. Ships travel at slower speeds than other forms of transportation, which means that shipments can take weeks or even months to arrive. This can be problematic for businesses that need their goods delivered quickly.

Limited Tracking Options

Limited tracking options as compared to other forms of transportation is another drawback of shipping via ocean. You may not be able to track your shipments as closely as you would like, which can make it difficult to determine an estimated time of when goods will arrive at their destination.

Additional Requirements

Ocean freight often requires additional resources, such as storage and handling of the cargo before and after shipping. This may add an extra layer of complexity and cost for the seller, which can make it difficult to manage.

Overall, ocean freight shipping is a viable option for many eCommerce sellers, but there are some disadvantages that should be taken into consideration before choosing this method.

Final Words

Ocean shipping is an essential component of modern business. It presents a number of advantages over other shipping methods, such as cost savings and scalability. But it also comes with disadvantages, including long transit times and a lack of accurate tracking information. The key to mitigating the risks inherent in ocean freight is finding the best logistics company, like NimbusPost who can work with you to maximize its potential benefits and minimize its drawbacks. With the right-sized container, optimized routing solution, and appropriate insurance coverage for your goods, a reliable logistics partner can provide reliable ocean freight services for businesses that want to make the move from domestic to global operations. In a nutshell, ocean freight should be considered by any online merchandiser looking to expand their reach beyond the borders at a lower cost than air freighting.