Ocean & Air Freight Guide

Knowledge Center

A comprehensive guide to understanding ocean freight, air freight, container shipping, and cargo transportation. Everything you need to make informed shipping decisions.

Ocean Freight

Understanding Ocean Freight / Sea Freight

Ocean freight is the backbone of global trade, accounting for over 90% of world trade by volume. We collaborate with globally renowned shipping liners to offer competitive rates to worldwide destinations.

Container Types Available

Standard Containers
20' (TEU ~33 CBM) and 40' (FEU ~67 CBM) for general cargo

Flat Racks & Open Tops
For over-dimensional and heavy-lift cargo that won't fit standard containers

Reefer Containers
Temperature-controlled for perishables, pharma, and cold chain cargo

45' Equipment
High-capacity containers (~76 CBM) for lightweight, voluminous cargo

Global Trade

Comparison

FCL vs LCL: Which One Do You Need?

Factor	FCL (Full Container Load)	LCL (Less than Container Load)
Container Use	Dedicated for one shipper	Shared with multiple shippers
Pricing	Fixed rate per container	Rate per CBM or per tonne (whichever greater)
Transit Time	Faster — no consolidation delays	Slower — add 3-7 days for CFS handling
Cargo Security	Higher — sealed from origin to destination	Lower — handled multiple times
Damage Risk	Lower — direct handling	Higher — more touchpoints
Best For	Large volumes, fragile cargo, high-value goods	Small shipments, samples, trial orders
Cost at Low Volume	Expensive — pay for empty space	Cost-effective
Cost at High Volume	Very cost-effective	Expensive

Breakeven Point

FCL becomes cheaper than LCL around 10-15 CBM, depending on the trade lane and market rates. Always request quotes for both options to compare. For shipments exceeding 12-15 CBM, FCL is almost always more economical. For shipments under 12 CBM, LCL offers better value.

Rates & Timelines

Ocean Freight Rates & Transit Times

Rate Estimates (Per FEU)

Asia-Europe$1,800–$4,000
Asia-US West Coast$1,500–$3,500
Asia-US East Coast$2,500–$4,500
Intra-Asia Routes$500–$1,500

*Rates fluctuate with supply/demand. Peak seasons: Aug-Oct (pre-Christmas), Jan-Feb (post-CNY)

Transit Times (Port-to-Port)

Intra-Asia3–12 days
Asia to US West Coast14–18 days
Asia to US East Coast28–35 days
Asia to Europe25–40 days
Door-to-Door (adds)7–14 days

Air Freight

Understanding Air Freight Services

As IATA-approved agents, we provide air cargo services to worldwide destinations. Air freight accounts for less than 1% of world trade by volume but over 35% by value — the fastest growing segment at 10%+ CAGR.

Express Air Freight

Door-to-door service from integrated carriers. Best for shipments under 200 kg. Premium pricing: 20-40% above standard. Transit: 2-4 days.

Standard Air Freight

Airport-to-airport or door-to-door. Best for 100 kg to several tons. Freight forwarder coordinates across carriers. Transit: 3-5 days.

Consolidated Air Freight

Multiple shipments combined into single AWB. 20-30% cheaper than direct. Slower: 5-7 days due to consolidation.

Decision Guide

When to Choose Air Freight vs Ocean Freight

Air Freight is Ideal For:

High-value cargo exceeding $15/kg
Time-sensitive deliveries within days
Perishable goods with short shelf life
Emergency restocking & production line needs
Product launches and samples

Fast & Reliable

Air Freight vs Ocean Freight Comparison

Factor	Air Freight	Ocean Freight
Transit Time	1-7 days	15-45 days
Cost per kg	$3–$10	$0.10–$0.50
Best For	Under 500 kg	Over 1,000 kg / 1 CBM
Reliability	Very high (95%+ on-time)	Moderate (70-85% on-time)
Carbon Emissions	Higher per kg	Lower per kg

Additional Services

Cargo Consolidation & Rail Freight

Cargo Consolidation

Our cargo aggregation services include LCL consolidation from multiple locations across India. We operate CFS facilities at various ports and ICDs, providing cost-effective solutions for smaller shipments.

LCL consolidation from multiple Indian locations
CFS facilities at major ports and ICDs
Cost-effective for shipments under 12 CBM

Rail Freight — The Greener Alternative

India's Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) are transforming rail logistics with 40% faster transit times and 65% lower carbon emissions than road transport, experiencing 10-12% volume growth.

40% faster transit via DFC integration
65% lower carbon emissions than road
Cost-effective bulk transport for heavy goods

Road Transport

Domestic Road Freight Solutions

Road freight dominates India's logistics sector with 42-70% market share. Our GPS-enabled fleet handles local, long-distance, national, and international transport.

FTL (Full Truck Load)

Dedicated point-to-point transport for full truckload shipments. Ideal for bulk cargo requiring direct delivery.

PTL (Part Truck Load)

Shared/part load for smaller shipments. Cost-effective with groupage and mixed cargo consolidation.

Express Parcel Services

Express delivery solutions with same-day and next-day options. Ideal for e-commerce and urgent shipments.

Cost Optimization

Air Freight Cost Optimization Tips

1

Optimize packaging to reduce volumetric weight — the airline charges the greater of actual or volumetric weight

2

Consolidate shipments for volume discounts — combine multiple smaller shipments into one

3

Be flexible on timing — consolidated services offer 20-30% savings for slightly longer transit

4

Avoid peak seasons (Nov-Dec, Chinese New Year) and book in advance for better rates

Key Parties

Key Parties in Ocean Freight

Shipper

Cargo owner who is exporting goods

Consignee

Cargo owner who is receiving goods

Carrier

Shipping line operating the vessel

Freight Forwarder

Logistics coordinator (we are here)

Customs Broker

Handling clearance at origin/destination

Port Agent

Representing vessel at port