Transporting goods from one country to another would require you to decide on the right type of shipping. With the advancements of technology today, you are faced with various shipping methods like ocean freight and rail freight. The safety and security of your products depend on the way it is transported, and so you might want to carefully select the right one so you can avoid the hassle.

Ocean freight and rail freight are just two of the common types of shipping imported goods. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and you need to decide depending on your need and your products’ requirements. If you’re looking for the best possible way to transport your goods, you might want to keep reading as we walk you through the pros and cons of ocean and rail freight.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight, also known as maritime shipping, is ideal if your business requires international shipping. As we all know, the Earth is covered with almost 71% water, and this explains the fact why ocean freight is an essential way of transporting goods.

Transporting machinery, equipment, cranes, and other bulky and heavy products would need extra measures to ensure safe and damage-free transport. This is what ocean freight is perfect for and that just doesn't stop there. Here are the pros and cons of maritime shipping.

Pros

● Less cost

Many importers choose ocean freight because of its affordability. If we compare, the cost is about 50% more affordable than air freight and you might want to take note of its other fees as well. Typically when you ship products, there are additional costs like duty and VAT. In ocean freight, these costs are less expensive, which you can save a lot.

● Ideal for huge and dangerous cargo

As we mentioned above, ocean freight is ideal for transporting heavy cargo like equipment, machinery, and even furniture. You don't have to worry about the safety of your bulky cargos because ships have lots of space meant for huge-sized products. Likewise, if you have critical and dangerous cargo or materials that need safe handling and secured transportation, containers used in ocean freight are very ideal to use.

● Eco-friendly

If you care for a healthy environment, ocean freight is perfectly suited to you. Unlike the planes used in air freight that use so much fuel, ocean freight has a minimal carbon footprint when traveling. Ships consume a lesser amount of fuels, which reduces their carbon footprint. Carbon footprint is dangerous to the environment and this is the main reason why many large companies prefer maritime shipping, especially if you want to promote a greener environment.

● Spacious

Ships used in ocean freight can load up to 25,000 tons of containers with products. This is actually no surprise because ships are meant to carry heavy cargo. So if you plan to import huge and heavy products without compromising their safety, ocean freight can give you that.

Cons

● Takes too much time

Since ships travel through waters, it may take time for your cargo to arrive. This is the top disadvantage of ocean freight. It is not ideal if your products are shipping sensitive like foods prone to spoilage or goods you urgently need. You need to expect that it would take weeks for your cargo to arrive.

● Delays are possible

Weather obstruction is the top hindrance of ocean freight. When the weather and seawater aren't favorable for ships to travel, there would be delays on your cargo. It is better to cancel the transport than risk it in the middle of stormy weather.

Rail Freight

Rail freight is also one of the best possible options if you plan to transport bulk cargo on land. You can receive large quantities of goods in a single load. Typically, a single load can carry 1600 net tons and could be transported using 40 to 43 wagons in one locomotive. To further walk you through rail freight, here are its pros and cons you can consider.

Pros

● Ideal for long distances

Rail freight is an economical and practical option in moving shipments with long distances. It is because you can ship large quantities of products at the same time, which can save you money and time of waiting. It also has a reduced amount when it comes to cost-per-ton-mile than truck transport.

● Safe and secured wagons

Rail transport is susceptible to meteorological factors like wind, dust, extreme sunlight, rain, hail, and snow, but you shouldn't worry about it. The wagons and containers where your products are stored are secured and protected from any deterioration and factors mentioned above. This is why rail freight is also ideal if you have critical and dangerous cargo that needs to be imported.

● On-time delivery

The hindrances like weather obstruction and traffic congestions won't be a problem with rail freight. Rail companies have technology that can detect weather patterns shift- the reason why they can cancel the transport as soon as possible without risking your shipment. This software used by rail companies helps in maintaining timely and reliable logistics.

● Eco-friendly

Rail freight is a fuel-efficient option in transporting goods. It consumes 3-4 times less than trucks used in road transport. The lesser fuel consumption helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the environment.

Cons

● Limited coverage

Some countries don't have available rail routes, which could be a possible problem on your end. In this case, a combination of rail freight and road transport would be the possible solution.

● Not ideal for small shipments

If you plan to use rail freight for your small shipment, note that it won't be a practical move. It would actually cost you a lot because of its expensive fees, which isn't worth it with small shipments. Don't forget that rail freight is more ideal for those bulk cargos in long distances.

● Mechanical failures can happen

Mechanical failure is the greatest fear in rail freight. Breakdowns on wagons and locomotives are inevitable, which would require serious repair work. If this happens, this could delay your shipment as well.

What Yiwu Bazaar Can Do For You

Yiwu Bazaar, as a dedicated wholesale e-commerce marketplace based in China, always strives to give you the highest quality service you deserve. This is why we are always ready to walk you through such circumstances as choosing the perfect shipping method for you.

Both ocean and rail freight are beneficial in different ways and we want to highlight that the best deal for you depends on what your shipment requires. At Yiwu Bazaar, we offer both ocean and rail freight, and we want to serve you with our utmost quality. We are happy and ready to assess the best shipping method ideal for you and your products. We can cater to ocean freight and rail freight as well. In fact, we have two (2) longest Rail Freight Network that connects nine (9) countries. You can enjoy our rail freight service available in China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium, France, and the UK. Connect with us today and we'd be glad to talk with you!