“Factors to consider when choosing the most suitable shipping method
There are many aspects to consider when choosing a shipping method for your import or export shipments. Depending on the destination, goods destined for foreign markets can be transported by road, rail, air, sea, inland, water, or a combination of any of these.
A little thought about contracted shipping equipment and shipping methods can reduce shipping and logistics costs. However, import and export planning is not always as simple as choosing the most cost-effective option. When choosing which shipping method to use, the following factors should be considered:
1. Service cost:
Shipping costs add to the cost of the goods, so this should always be kept in mind. Rail transport is a relatively inexpensive mode of transport for transporting heavy and bulky traffic over long distances. Car transport is best for transporting small traffic over short distances and is the most economical. Auto shipping saves on packaging and handling costs.
Water transportation is the cheapest mode of transportation. It is suitable for transporting heavy and bulky goods over long distances only when time is not an important factor. Air freight is the most expensive shipping method, but is especially suitable for transporting perishable, light and valuable goods that require fast delivery.
2. Shipping speed:
Air shipping is the fastest shipping method, but also the most expensive. Short-distance car transport is faster than rail. However, rail is faster for long distances than other modes of transport than air and is best for long distances. Water transport is very slow, so it is not suitable where time is an important factor.
3. The possibility of damage to the goods
Key factors affecting the likelihood of cargo damage include motion and acceleration forces. Freight containers are subject to the greatest acceleration forces during loading and unloading at terminals or warehouses and during transshipment at rail yards.
At sea, roll and pitch tend to produce steady acceleration forces. In contrast, rail and road modes tend to generate irregular acceleration forces, such as when braking, cornering, starting the engine, lifting and lowering, and when trains pass railroad switches.
A New Zealand study calculated that vertical acceleration levels in excess of 10m/s2 would generate enough force to lift a container off the ground, potentially causing significant damage to the cargo inside upon landing.
4. Product Features
The size and weight of the cargo also play a role in deciding which shipping method to use. Land and air freight are mainly suitable for light and small cargo, while rail and sea freight are suitable for heavy cargo. The shipping method chosen to use will also depend on the hazard, fragility or high value of the product. Air and ground shipments are often the best options for high-value fragile products.
5. Safety
The safety and security of goods in transit also affects which mode of transport is used. Trucking overland may be more popular than rail because your losses are usually smaller. Shipping by water exposes cargo to dangers at sea; therefore, from a safety point of view, sea transport is the most dangerous. Additionally, to protect the goods in transit, certain types of packaging are recommended, which may affect costs. The cargo may also require special facilities, such as refrigeration or special security measures that need to be considered.
6. Reliability and regularity of services
The reliability and regularity of the modes of transport vary. Your decision on which shipping method to use will be influenced by the urgency and speed with which you want your shipment to be delivered. Land, sea and air shipments are often affected by severe weather such as heavy rain, snow, fog and storms, which can cause delays.
7. Other notes:
Many special services such as warehousing, packing, loading and unloading are also taken into consideration when deciding on the mode of transport. It is clear from the above discussion that each mode of transportation is suitable for a specific type of traffic.
Rail transport is particularly suitable for transporting heavy and bulky goods over long distances. Auto transport is suitable for transporting small items over short distances. Air freight is suitable for lightweight valuables that require fast delivery. Ocean freight is suitable for transporting bulky goods over long distances at the cheapest possible cost.
In addition to the above factors, the type of goods that need to be transported will also affect the choice of shipping method. When trying to solve the problem of frequently damaged goods in transit, it may be time to consider another shipping method. Another manageable factor in reducing product damage, costs and personal injury is inspection and possible changes to the way cargo is handled and loaded into containers.”
