The world of freight can seem like a mysterious place to those that aren’t deep within the industry and as a result, countless myths have reared their ugly heads over the years. From shipping being bad for the environment, to difficulties with tracking shipments, you may be wondering just how many of sea freight’s greatest myths are actually true. Below, we’re exploring exactly that.
Myth #1 – Sea Freight Is Bad For The Environment
It’s an easy misconception to make – with thousands of huge cargo ships trudging through the ocean each and every day, that’s a lot of gas being emitted and fuel being burned every single day. Well, it turns out that shipping by sea might actually be one of the most environmentally friendly options you could choose when it comes to getting your goods from A to B. Cargo ships emit barely any greenhouse gasses and in most cases, you’ll find that more damage to the environment will take place just getting your shipment from your door to the ship itself.
Myth #2 – Sea Freight Is Always Cheaper
Sea freight takes longer and arguably requires fewer resources and for that reason, it’s understandable that shipping via sea actually works out cheaper than most other forms of freight. However, there is a lot more to it than that. When it comes to whether or not sea freight will work out cheaper for you and your business, you need to consider everything from insurance, to ROI risks given how long the shipment may take. The costs can add up, so it’s important to do your research and talk to an expert about which alternative may work out better for you.
Myth #3 – Tracking Sea Shipments Is Difficult
Tracking has become a staple with any kind of delivery. Whether we’re shipping goods abroad or ordering something from Amazon, the ability to track each and every movement our parcels and shipments make is a common consumer demand. Given that sea freight can take days depending on the route and destination, you’d be forgiven for thinking that tracking sea freight can be difficult. However, GPS systems on cargo ships are incredibly complex and for that reason, the potential for in-depth, detailed tracking is certainly there providing that a streamlined way of reporting is introduced within a company.
Myth #4 – Only Container Shipments Can Be Sent via Sea Freight
While this one holds some truth, you may be surprised to hear that you don’t have to have an entire container load of goods to ship to be able to send it via boat. In fact, LCL – or less-than-container loads – are becoming an increasingly common option for those looking for fast shipments without having to wait for an empty slow. This essentially means that the goods will be submitted within other containers alongside other shipments from other sources until they reach sorting at their destination. It can work out cheaper and more convenient so if you have a smaller collection of goods to send, this could work out to be the more efficient option.
Shipping via sea freight may have certain risks but it’s also one of the safest, most affordable and most environmentally-friendly options for those seeking an alternate shipping method. Whether you’re looking to ship multiple containers or an LCL, simply get in touch with Barrington Freight and we can help secure your place on board a cargo ship, as soon as possible. Get in touch or fill in our form for a quote, today.
