What is sea transport? Advantages and disadvantages of sea freight
Sea transport has been the backbone of global trade for decades. That is why many people wonder whether it is worth choosing this route when it comes to transporting large quantities of goods, often to the other side of the world.
If you run a business and are looking for a reliable and cost-effective way to deliver cargo over long distances, sea freight may be the perfect solution for you. However, before you commission loading at the port, it is worth learning about both the advantages and disadvantages of this form of transport. Although it is tempting due to its cost, flexibility and range, it also comes with certain challenges that are better to be aware of in advance.
In this article, we explain exactly what sea freight is, what types of sea freight there are, who uses it and… when it is definitely worth choosing. We also look at its biggest advantages and disadvantages. With this knowledge, you will be more confident about whether your company should set sail.
What is sea freight / sea transport?
Let’s start with the basics. Sea transport is nothing more than the transport of goods by sea – between ports around the world – on board specialised ships. It is one of the pillars of international transport, without which today’s trade could not function.
When we talk about containers with electronics from Asia, oil from the Middle East or grain from South America, we are talking about sea freight.
But what exactly is sea freight? This term refers to both the transport itself and the costs associated with transporting cargo by sea. To put it simply, in the latter sense, sea freight is the fee for transporting goods by ship from one port to another. Its price depends on many factors: the route, the size of the container, the type of cargo, current market rates and even the season.
What distinguishes sea transport from other types of transport is its ability to carry huge amounts of cargo at relatively low costs. A single container ship can carry up to several thousand containers, which makes this mode of transport extremely cost-effective in terms of unit cost.
In the context of global logistics, we are therefore talking about a system that enables the flow of goods between continents, handles different types of cargo and uses thousands of ports around the world. It is largely thanks to this system that products from different manufacturers find their way onto shop shelves on the other side of the world.
Types of sea transport
Maritime transport has many names. Depending on the type of cargo, logistical requirements and route characteristics, different forms of transport are used. The two most popular are definitely general cargo transport and full container transport.
General cargo transport
General cargo transport is the ideal option when you do not have enough goods to fill an entire container. Your shipment is then combined with other loads from different customers in one container (known as LCL – Less than Container Load).
This is a great solution for companies that ship smaller batches of products, such as industrial goods, food products or clothing.
The biggest advantage? Lower transport costs – you only pay for the space you actually use. The disadvantage may be slightly longer delivery times due to the need to consolidate and deconsolidate cargo at terminals.
Full container transport
Full container transport (FCL – Full Container Load) is the transport of goods in a container that belongs exclusively to one sender. Here, the cargo is not shared with others, which means greater security, no need for transhipment en route and faster handling at the port.
This is the ideal option when you are transporting larger quantities of goods, want to have full control over the process and time is of the essence.
Container transport in this form is now standard in global trade, especially on routes between Asia, Europe and North America.
Types of ships and goods they transport
Sea transport is not just about containers and ports. It also involves a whole fleet of specialised vessels that are adapted to specific types of cargo.
The wide range of ships meets the diverse needs of the global market – from transporting cars to perishable foodstuffs.
Below we present the most important types of vessels used in international trade.
Container ships
These ships are the ‘kings’ of modern sea freight. They are designed primarily for the transport of standard containers (20 and 40 feet). They handle huge volumes of goods on a daily basis.
The largest container ships in the world can hold over 24,000 TEU (1 TEU corresponds to the volume of one 20-foot container). Their design and layout allow for quick loading, transhipment and unloading in ports around the world.
Bulk carriers
They are designed to transport bulk cargo (loose goods) such as coal, metal ores, grain and fertilisers. The cargo is loaded in bulk directly into huge holds.
Interestingly, although they are mainly associated with the transport of loose and dry materials, bulk carriers are also used to transport liquid cargo such as oil or petrol. Their versatility also allows them to carry semi-bulk cargo, such as steel sheets.
The load capacity of a ship of this class can reach hundreds of thousands of tonnes – in practice, they are the ‘silent giants’ of global trade in raw materials.
General cargo ships
These are vessels designed to carry general cargo, which is packed individually, e.g. in crates, pallets, bales, barrels or bags.
They are now used less and less, as their role has been taken over by container ships and containerised general cargo transport, but they are still used for less standard cargo and over shorter distances.
Tankers
Tankers are specially designed for the transport of bulk liquids, such as crude oil, LNG, chemicals and vegetable oils. They are equipped with special tanks and additional safety features. They play a key role in the logistics of the fuel and chemical industries.
Car carriers
Car carriers are Ro-Ro (Roll-on / Roll-off) vessels that allow vehicles to enter and exit via ramps. They transport passenger cars, trucks, construction machinery and even entire railway carriages. They are a key means of transport for the automotive industry, especially for the export of cars from Asia to Europe.
Refrigerated ships
Specialised vessels for the transport of goods requiring constant temperature control, such as food, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. They are sometimes replaced by refrigerated containers (known as reefers) on container ships.
Read also: What are the types of containers in maritime transport? >>>
When is maritime transport a good choice?
There is no golden rule that says ‘always choose sea’. However, there are specific situations where sea freight is simply unbeatable – especially in large-scale transport, where cost optimisation and the efficient transport of bulk cargo are key and cannot be achieved by any other means of transport.
Advantages of sea transport
Advantage #1: Safety of sea transport
Sea transport is one of the safest forms of transport. Ships are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. Their crews have extensive experience in handling a wide variety of cargo.
In addition, containers and cargo security measures protect goods from damage, theft and weather conditions. This is why food products, electronics, industrial machinery and many other types of goods can easily travel thousands of nautical miles in this way.
Advantage #2: Cost of sea transport
When it comes to transport costs, sea wins over long distances. The cost of sea freight, calculated per tonne of cargo transported, is much lower than, for example, air transport.
Especially when transporting bulk and containerised goods, where economies of scale are important, the cost of sea container transport is very competitive compared to other options. For companies exporting or importing wholesale quantities of goods, it is often the only viable option.
Advantage #3: Global reach and flexibility
Sea freight has a global reach. Seaports and container terminals are located on all continents, and the network of connections allows cargo to be transported to almost any destination worldwide.
What is more, thanks to the variety of ships and, consequently, types of maritime transport, it is easy to adapt the means of transport to the specific type of cargo – from dangerous goods, through non-standard cargo, to temperature-sensitive products.
Advantage #4: Ecology and sustainable development
Although it may sound surprising, sea freight is one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport. Per tonne-kilometre, it emits less COâ‚‚ than road or air transport.
More and more companies are paying attention to sustainability, and new-generation ships are equipped with environmentally friendly solutions, including LNG propulsion, exhaust gas cleaning systems and real-time route optimisation.
Disadvantages of sea transport
Disadvantage #1: Speed of delivery
Let’s be honest – sea transport is not known for its speed. If you need your goods delivered quickly, sea transport will not be 100% satisfactory for you. Air freight definitely wins in this respect.
Transporting a container from China to the UK can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days, and with delays, even longer. For products with a short shelf life or rapidly changing market value, such a delay in reaching their destination can mean real financial losses.
Disadvantage #2: Dependence on weather conditions and other external factors
Although modern ships cope well with storms, gales and fog, the weather still affects the punctuality of shipments. In addition, circumstances such as the closure of sea channels (e.g. the Suez Canal) or congestion in ports can cause delays of several days or even weeks.
These factors are simply beyond control and, in the case of sea transport, are extremely important for the entire delivery process.
Disadvantage #3: Complexity of processes and formalities
Sea freight involves many stages: booking space on a ship, customs clearance, loading, transhipment, storage of containers in terminals… The list is long.
This requires very good coordination and perfect knowledge of procedures. Lack of experience or a suitable logistics partner can lead to delays, additional charges and even the detention of cargo.
Disadvantage #4: Additional costs and charges
Although the cost of sea freight itself may be low, this does not mean that the entire transport process is cheap.
There are additional fees, such as those for transhipment, storage, customs clearance, delays in container collection or cargo storage at the port. These ‘hidden costs’ can come as a surprise, especially to less experienced importers.
The impact of sea transport on the environment
Sea transport is often presented as a more environmentally friendly option than its alternatives, but the truth, as usual, lies somewhere in between. On the one hand, ships emit significantly less COâ‚‚ per tonne-kilometre than planes or trucks. On the other hand, however, the global shipping fleet consists of tens of thousands of vessels, which together account for around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
In response to growing environmental pressure, the shipping industry is investing in sustainable development.
Its importance is emphasised by emerging regulations (such as IMO 2020), which limit emissions of sulphur and nitrogen oxides, while shipowners are implementing further solutions, such as:
- LNG-powered ships,
- exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers),
- painting hulls with drag-reducing coatings,
- real-time route and speed optimisation to reduce fuel consumption.
Furthermore, technologies using alternative fuels – biofuels, ammonia, hydrogen – are being developed, although these are still more pilot projects than market standards. Large ports are also implementing the electrification of container terminals and the possibility of supplying ships with power from land during stops (so-called shore power).
All this shows that maritime transport can play a key role in the decarbonisation of global trade – provided that the pace of change keeps pace with growing environmental requirements.
Summary
Maritime transport is an indispensable part of modern international trade. Thanks to its scale, ability to transport huge volumes of goods and relatively low costs, it is the foundation of global logistics.
Sea freight is particularly suitable when economies of scale are important, long distances are involved and flexibility in the transport of diverse cargo is required.
Of course, like any form of transport, it also has its drawbacks. Delivery times, dependence on weather and other external factors, and operational complexity can be challenging, especially for companies without experience or the support of a reliable freight forwarding partner. Nevertheless, with proper planning and management, the benefits of sea transport far outweigh the difficulties in many cases.
Of course, like any form of transport, it also has its drawbacks. Delivery times, dependence on weather and other external factors, and operational complexity can be challenging, especially for companies without experience or the support of a reliable freight forwarding partner. Nevertheless, with proper planning and management, the benefits of sea transport far outweigh the difficulties in many cases.