Is air freight more expensive than sea freight?

We must clarify a basic concept: air freight is indeed more expensive than sea freight. This can be explained from multiple dimensions such as fuel consumption, operating costs, transportation speed, and cargo value. The price of aviation kerosene used in airplanes is usually higher than that of heavy oil used in ships, and the fuel efficiency of airplanes is much lower than that of ships. Therefore, from the perspective of energy consumption, the cost of air transportation is naturally higher than that of sea transportation.
Looking at operating costs, airlines need to pay multiple fees such as pilots, crew members, airport service fees, air traffic control fees, which are relatively rare or non-existent in sea transportation. In addition, the cost of purchasing and maintaining aircraft is much higher than that of ships. These factors together constitute the high cost structure of air transportation.
Transportation speed is another important consideration. The speed advantage of air freight enables it to quickly deliver goods to the destination, making it suitable for the transportation of urgently needed or high-value goods. Although sea transportation is slower, it can transport a large amount of goods and the route is fixed, making it suitable for the transportation of bulk goods. Fast speed means low time costs, which may be more important for certain goods than actual transportation costs.
The value of goods is also a key factor in determining the choice of transportation method. High value, vulnerable or urgent goods often choose air transportation because even though air transportation costs are high, this cost is reasonable and necessary relative to the total value and timeliness requirements of the goods. On the contrary, for goods that are insensitive to time, bulky, and have lower unit prices, sea freight is undoubtedly a more economical choice.
The factors that affect air freight costs include the volume and weight of the goods, the distance of the route, the characteristics of the goods (such as whether they are dangerous goods), and the urgency of demand. For example, large and lightweight goods will be charged based on their volume and weight, which may lead to an increase in air freight costs. Special goods such as live animals and temperature controlled products require special transportation conditions and handling, which will also increase additional costs.
The cost of sea transportation is influenced by factors such as the type, quantity, route distance, port fees, and seasonal fluctuations of the goods. Bulk goods can be transported through FCL or LCL to reduce unit costs. Long haul routes may incur higher costs due to passing through multiple countries and ports. In addition, due to increased demand during peak season, shipping costs will also increase accordingly.
Based on the above analysis, we can conclude that the cost of air transportation is indeed higher than that of sea transportation. But this does not mean that air transportation has no value in its existence. For goods that pursue speed and timeliness, air freight provides an irreplaceable service. For goods that do not require fast delivery and are cost sensitive, sea freight is a more reasonable choice.
The cost difference between air and sea transportation is determined by multiple factors. When choosing a suitable transportation method, enterprises should comprehensively consider the nature, value, urgency, and cost budget of the goods, and make the most cost-effective decision. Whether choosing air or sea transportation, the key lies in balancing costs and services to ensure that goods arrive safely and efficiently at their destination.