Seafreight VS Airfreight: Which One Is Right For Your Business
When it comes to global logistics, one of the most common questions businesses face is: Should we ship by sea or by air? Both options play a crucial role in international trade, but the right choice depends on your cargo, your deadlines, and your budget. At Levaco, we guide our clients through these decisions every day — helping them balance speed, cost, and reliability.
🌊 Sea Freight: Cost-Effective and Scalable
Sea freight is the backbone of global trade, moving over 80% of the world’s goods. It’s the most economical option for large, heavy, or bulky shipments. Containers can carry everything from raw materials to finished products, and specialized solutions like RoRo or breakbulk make it possible to transport vehicles, machinery, and oversized cargo.
Best for:
- Large volumes of goods
- Heavy cargo and machinery
- Businesses looking for cost savings over speed
Key advantage: Lower shipping costs and high scalability.
✈️ Air Freight: Fast and Reliable
Air freight is the go-to solution when time is of the essence. Whether it’s urgent spare parts, high-value goods, or perishable items, flying your cargo ensures quick transit across continents. With Levaco Air, our dedicated division, we help businesses meet tight deadlines and keep their supply chains running smoothly.
Best for:
- Time-sensitive shipments
- High-value or fragile goods
- Businesses prioritizing speed and reliability
Key advantage: Unmatched speed with precise delivery schedules.
The Levaco Advantage 🚢✈️
With decades of experience in both sea and air freight, Levaco provides tailored solutions to match your business needs. Whether you’re shipping containers across oceans or flying urgent cargo overnight, we ensure reliability, transparency, and personal service at every step.
Shipping Industry Faces Years of Volatility Ahead, Say Market Experts
At the Intermodal Europe 2025 exhibition, industry experts warned that the coming years in global shipping are likely to be defined by instability and overcapacity. Analysts from Alphaliner, Container xChange, and Drewry shared perspectives on the shifting landscape, highlighting challenges that will shape freight rates, trade routes, and carrier strategies.
Stefan Verberckmoes of Alphaliner noted that the sector is heading into a prolonged period of oversupply. Many major shipping lines expanded their fleets following the pandemic and recent global disruptions like the Red Sea crisis. Most of these new vessels are expected to enter service between 2027 and 2028, creating intense competition for cargo and putting pressure on freight rates.
Simon Heaney, Senior Manager at Drewry, added that beyond market dynamics, geopolitical tensions and environmental factors are deepening uncertainty. Events such as trade conflicts, regional crises, and the push for climate adaptation are reshaping how companies plan capacity. Heaney described “redundancy” — the strategy of maintaining extra capacity — as the new safety net for global carriers facing unpredictable trade conditions.
Meanwhile, Christian Roeloffs from Container xChange emphasized the role of the China-Europe rail connection in shaping the future of intercontinental logistics. If the conflict in Ukraine eases — potentially by 2026 — rail freight could regain momentum, increasing competition between maritime and overland routes.
Despite the looming oversupply, analysts suggested the outlook isn’t entirely negative. Older vessels may be retired, offsetting some of the added capacity, and global trade demand remains strong — with 4.4% growth recorded in 2025 so far. Emerging markets in Latin America, Africa, and India are also contributing to steady cargo volumes. Port congestion continues to absorb part of the available fleet, leaving about 18% of capacity idle at any given time.
The consensus? The shipping industry is entering a period of high volatility but continued opportunity, where flexibility, data-driven decision-making, and strategic partnerships will define success.
Source: Adapted from, Market analysts predict turbulent years for shipping, Flows.be (October 2025).
