Logistics
Sea vs air freight: how we help clients choose
SA
Sara Al-Maktli•Sep 3, 2026•5 min read
Photo: Safe inspection documentation on a cargo vessel
When deciding between ocean shipping and air freight, companies frequently weigh speed against budget. However, cargo density, shelf life, and holding costs are equally decisive factors.
The Decision Matrix
| Dimension | Ocean Freight | Air Freight | Sea-Air Multimodal | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Transit Time | 20–35 Days | 2–5 Days | 10–14 Days | | Relative Cost | Baseline (1x) | 4x – 8x Baseline | 2x – 3x Baseline | | Ideal Cargo | Heavy, bulk, high volume | High value, perishable, urgent | Seasonal retail, balanced stock |
Contact the Shepherd team for tailored routing simulations that protect your margins without missing critical delivery dates.
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