The Benefits of Shipping by Sea over Shipping by Air

Get a free quote today

to find out costs and procedures involved in shipping your car from Australia to New Zealand.

Posted on 2nd November 2013 – Shipping Vehicles


 

Whether you need to move goods for business purposes or your possessions, you will, at some point, ponder over shipping them by sea or by air. On the one hand, sending them on a plane is, without a doubt, the fastest, and if time is of the essence, it will be a valid choice. On the other hand, sea shipping, despite being slower, offers other disadvantages which often make it a better option.

Unsurprisingly, sea shipping tends to be cheaper, especially if you are able to fill whole containers. Unfortunately, if you aren’t, you will still be charged as if you were. A solution is to ship LCL (less container loads), where you share your container with someone else, although it can cause extra delays. If your cargo fills less than half a container, air freight will probably be a more economical solution.

While you may think that faster is better, it is not always the case. For individuals relocating, for example, having a few weeks before all of their belongings arrive may be just what they need to settle down and organise themselves, and will also save them from having to organise and pay for storage.

Environmentally minded people will obviously know that plane gas emissions are high, and maritime shipping is by far a more sustainable method of transportation. But choosing sea shipping isn’t only about being ethical, it also makes business sense as green credentials can help companies win more business and qualify for tax rebates.

It is true that sea freight has the disadvantage of not being completely predictable, as weather conditions can affect journeys, but if your cargo is bulky, oddly shaped or of considerable size, it will be a practical and cost-effective solution.

For further information on vehicle shipping, contact us, phone us on +64 9 303 0075, or get a free quote.

Click here to see our reference guide to making car shipping stress free with our tried and tested 1-2-3 step process.


Our easy - 3 step shipping process

×
Advise pick-up location
Documents & shipping
Delivered to your door

Tell us the pick up location and we'll arrange a date & time

We handle all customs & shipping including insurance

Enjoy your toy, after it's delivered to your door anywhere in NZ.

Get Started


Related articles

The Benefits of Transporting Your Car or Work Vehicle
Posted on 19th December 2022
Are you moving houses or relocating to a new city? We share the benefits of hiring vehicle shipping companies when it comes to transporting your cars!
Read more


How to Get a Warrant of Fitness When Importing Your Car into New Zealand
Posted on 1st September 2018
Before a vehicle is allowed on New Zealand roads, it must pass technical tests to check that it is roadworthy and that it meets environmental standards. The process is called ‘entry certification’ at the end of which you will be issued with a Warrant of Fitness.
Read more


How to Import a Car From Japan to Australia
Posted on 30th April 2017
Japan is well known for its high cost of living, so it may surprise you to hear that it is a great place to buy everyday second-hand cars. With a reputation for great quality and longevity, they are indeed a very attractive proposition and more people in our corner of the world turn towards that country to find bargains.
Read more


RORO vs Containers
Posted on 14th February 2017
Whether RORO or container shipping suits you better will depend on factors such as your budget, which port your car will be shipped to and from and whether you wish to transport personal belongings at the same time.
Read more


Increased measures - Takata airbag recall.. Read more.