There are a variety of weights that are used in shipping, including gross weight, tare weight, and net weight, to name a few. Gross weight is the total weight of the shipment, including the product, packaging, and any other materials. In contrast, tare weight is how much the empty container or packaging weighs, while net weight is the product’s weight without packaging or other materials. The maximum freight weight that a container can handle is its payload, excluding the container’s tare weight.
How do these weights affect the cost of shipping?
Gross weight
The gross weight of a package determines the size of the shipping container or package needed, which affects the cost of shipping. The larger the container or package, the higher the shipping cost.
Tare weight
The tare weight is subtracted from the gross weight to determine the net weight. It is crucial because it determines the amount of product shipped and affects the shipping cost. A higher tare weight means a lower net weight and a lower shipping cost.
Net weight
The net weight is what is shipped and is used to calculate the shipping cost. A higher net weight means a higher shipping cost.
Payload
The payload is the total weight of the shipment that a container can handle. It is essential to know the payload because it can affect the cost of shipping. A higher payload means a higher shipping cost.
Deadweight (DWT)
The term “deadweight” refers to the amount of weight that a ship may safely lift – including the freight on board, the crew, provisions, fuel, water, ballast, etc. Deadweight affects the shipping price because it is one of the factors that determine the ship’s capacity. A higher deadweight means a higher shipping cost.
Gross Tonnage (GT)
The internal volume of a ship, including crew quarters, machinery, navigation gear, and so on, is referred to as gross tonnage. It affects the shipping cost because the heavier the ship is, the more it will cost to fuel it. Therefore, a heavier gross tonnage means shipping fees will be higher.
Net Tonnage (NT)
Net tonnage considers the spaces occupied by crew quarters, equipment, navigational instruments, and other items – in other words, all of the space left over for transporting passengers and goods. It also impacts the shipping cost since the less space available, the more demand there will be for it; thus, as more area or weight is consumed.
How do these weights affect the price of different modes of shipment?
Air cargo
Air cargo is priced per weight and distance. The further the destination, the higher the price. Aeroplanes have a limited amount of space and weight that they can carry, so the cost of shipping increases with distance.
Ground cargo
Ground cargo is priced per weight, volume, or both. The cost of shipping is determined by the size and weight of the shipment and the distance it needs to travel.
Sea cargo
Sea cargo is priced per weight and volume. The shipping cost increases with the weight and size of the shipment. However, other factors contribute to the overall cost, such as port fees and customs duties.
What factors should you consider when choosing a mode of transport for your goods?
The size and weight of your shipment
The volume and mass of your shipment will determine the cost of shipping and the mode of transport that is most suitable. If you have a large or heavy shipment, it may be more expensive to ship by air.
The distance of the shipment
If you are shipping a long distance, it may be more cost-effective to ship by sea. However, if you need your goods urgently, you may need to choose air shipping.
The type of goods being shipped
Some goods are delicate or perishable and must be shipped by air to avoid damage. Other goods, such as hazardous materials, may need to be shipped by ground transportation.
The cost
The shipping cost is an important consideration when choosing a mode of transport. You will need to compare the costs of different modes of transport to find the most economical option.
