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The log · Service & process guides · 13 May 2026 · By Sherif Awad, Owner, GeoMarineHub
Air Freight vs Ocean Freight: Cost, Speed & When to Choose Each
Air freight is fast but costly; ocean freight is cheap but slow. Learn the chargeable-weight maths, the true total-cost picture, and a simple framework to decide.
Air Freight vs Ocean Freight: Cost, Speed & When to Choose Each
Air freight is fast but costly; ocean freight is cheap butslow. Learn the chargeable-weight maths, the true total-costpicture, and a simple framework to decide.
Geomarine Freight Team
"Should we fly it or ship it?" is one of the most common questions in logistics. The honest answer is: it depends on weight, value, urgency and total cost — not just the freight rate.
The Core Trade-off
Air freight moves in days and is gentle on cash-flow-sensitive or perishable goods, but the rate per kilo is high. Ocean freight moves in weeks and is dramatically cheaper per kilo, but ties up inventory in transit and adds port/CFS time at both ends.
Chargeable Weight: the Maths That Surprises People
Carriers charge on the greater of actual weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight. For air freight the common formula is length × width × height (cm) ÷ 6000 = volumetric kg. So a light but bulky box is billed as if it were heavier. Ocean freight uses the "W/M" rule — the greater of weight in tonnes or volume in CBM. Knowing which applies tells you instantly whether your cargo is "light and bulky" (bad for air) or "small and dense" (air-friendly).
Think Total Landed Cost, Not Freight Rate
—Inventory carrying cost. Six weeks on the water is six weeks of capital tied up.
—Insurance & risk. Longer transit = more exposure.
—Packaging. Ocean often needs sturdier, heavier packing.
—Speed-to-market. For fashion, electronics or launches, being late can cost more than the freight saved.
A Simple Decision Framework
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