Understanding transport costs
Understanding transport costs
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Transport costs
Sea freight pricing is determined by a combination of operational and commercial factors, including container type, trade route, cargo volume or weight, carrier service and port-related costs.
Container equipment may significantly influence freight levels, especially in the case of reefer containers, high cube equipment or special containers used for oversized or temperature-controlled cargo.
Freight rates may also fluctuate depending on seasonality, equipment availability, port congestion and global shipping market conditions affecting carrier capacity and vessel space.
In addition to ocean freight itself, the total logistics cost may include terminal handling charges (THC), local port charges, customs-related services, inland transport, cargo handling, storage and documentation costs.
For certain routes and shipment structures, transshipment operations, extended storage periods or container delays may generate additional operational charges such as detention or demurrage.
Air freight costs are calculated based on the chargeable weight of the shipment, representing the higher value between the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight.
This calculation method allows airlines to take into account both the physical weight of the cargo and the space occupied during transport.
Volumetric weight formula:
(L × W × H in cm) ÷ 6000
As a result, lightweight cargo with large dimensions may generate higher transport costs than denser cargo with the same actual gross weight.
Air freight pricing is also influenced by route structure, airline capacity, shipment urgency, fuel-related surcharges and seasonal demand. During peak shipping periods or limited cargo space availability, freight rates may increase significantly.
Additional costs may include airport handling charges, security screening fees, customs-related services and special handling requirements applicable to temperature-sensitive cargo, dangerous goods or priority shipments.