Air vs. Sea Freight: Speed or Profitability?

The eternal dilemma: do I need the goods now, or do I prefer to watch the budget? Understanding the dynamics between air and sea transport allows you to create a hybrid and efficient supply chain. ✈️🚢

Air Transport: Speed Costs It is the undisputed option for urgent cargo, short-shelf-life perishables, or high-value, low-volume items. It drastically reduces inventory costs by enabling real "Just in Time," but the cost per kilo is significantly higher.

Sea Transport: The King of Volume It moves over 90% of global trade for a reason: economies of scale. It is unbeatable for large volumes and heavy loads where time is not the critical factor. However, it requires much more robust inventory planning due to long transit times.

The Hybrid Approach Many successful businesses don't choose just one. They use sea freight for base stock and air freight for emergency replenishment or product launches, thus balancing the weighted average cost.

At LOOP, we help you calculate the perfect transport mix. We evaluate the urgency of your cargo against your budget to design the smartest route. ✨