Road vs Sea Freight: Mode Selection Guide
Road freight is fast (5-10 days) and flexible with door-to-door service. Sea freight is economical for large volumes but slower (10-18 days). The right mode depends on volume, urgency, and budget.
Road vs Sea Freight
| Factor | Road | Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Transit (Turkey-Germany) | 5-10 days | 10-18 days |
| Cost (small load) | 120-160 EUR/m³ | 80-120 EUR/m³ (LCL) |
| Cost (large load) | 3,000-6,000 EUR (TIR) | 1,500-3,000 EUR (FCL 20') |
| Door-to-door | Direct | Port transfer needed |
| CO2 per ton-km | Higher | 80% lower |
| Max capacity | 80 m³ (TIR) | 76 m³ (40' HC) |
| Flexibility | Any address | Port-dependent |
Choose Road When
- Speed matters (5-10 days)
- Door-to-door service needed
- Fragile cargo (fewer handling points)
- 1-80 m³ shipments
Choose Sea When
- Cost is priority (large volumes)
- Time is flexible (14-18 days OK)
- Heavy cargo (28+ tons per container)
- Environmental sustainability matters
Kolay Parsiyel
Primarily road freight with sea options for cost-sensitive large shipments. Both quoted for comparison.
FAQ
Which is safer?
FTL road (single load/unload) and FCL sea are equally safe. LCL involves more handling.
Greener?
Sea: 80% less CO2 per ton-km than road.
Combined?
Yes, multimodal (sea + road) optimizes cost and speed.
Does Kolay Parsiyel offer sea?
Primarily road. Sea options available for large/non-urgent shipments.
References
- IMO Emissions Report
- European Commission Transport
Related Articles
FCL vs LCL: Container vs Partial Load Shipping
FCL (Full Container Load) dedicates an entire container to one shipper; LCL (Less Container Load) shares container space among multiple shippers. FCL is cheaper above 15 m³; LCL is ideal for 1-14 m³ shipments.
Customs Broker vs Customs Agent: Same Role, Different Names
Customs broker (US/international), customs agent (UK), and customs representative (EU) all refer to the same profession: licensed professionals who clear goods through customs on behalf of importers and exporters.
Air vs Road Freight: Speed vs Cost Guide
Air freight delivers in 1-3 days but costs 3-8 EUR/kg. Road freight takes 5-10 days at 120-160 EUR/m³. Air suits urgent, small, and high-value shipments; road suits volume and standard timelines.
IoT and Smart Logistics: Connected Supply Chain Guide
IoT (Internet of Things) connects physical logistics assets via sensors for real-time tracking, condition monitoring, and data-driven optimization. It can reduce logistics costs by 10-25% and improve efficiency by 15-30%.