Freight Guide from Shenzhen Port (CNSHK) to Antwerp Port (BEANR)
I. Transportation Modes and Routes
A. Air Freight (Air – Truck Combined Transport)
Goods are shipped from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, flying directly to major European aviation hubs.
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: A key transfer center in Europe. Trucks quickly transport goods to Antwerp Port upon arrival, ensuring smooth logistics.
- Frankfurt Airport: Centrally located in Europe, it enables efficient distribution. Trucks are readily available for the final delivery to Antwerp.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: With a well – developed freight network, it offers stable transit. Trucks handle the last – mile delivery to Antwerp Port.
Three mainstream airlines operating on this route are:
- Lufthansa: Based on Frankfurt and Munich hubs, it provides high – frequency flights. It specializes in handling temperature – controlled and high – value goods, connecting key economic areas in Asia and Europe.
- Air France: Relying on Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, it has a dense route network. It offers reliable freight flights and is proficient in handling high – value – added cargo with seamless warehousing.
- KLM: Linked to Shenzhen via Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, it operates an advanced cargo fleet. It ensures rapid transportation to Amsterdam and efficient truck – based delivery to Antwerp, emphasizing timeliness and safety.
B. Sea Freight (Sea – Truck Combined Transport)
The journey starts from Shenzhen Port, following established sea routes to Antwerp Port. Trucks are used for inland delivery after arrival.
Three mainstream shipping companies are:
- Maersk: With a vast route network, it connects major Asian ports like Shanghai, Singapore, and Shenzhen to European ports such as Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Southampton. Maersk deploys large – scale vessels and offers one – stop logistics, along with advanced cargo – tracking technology.
- MSC: Its routes cover Asian ports like Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, and European ports including Le Havre, Genoa, and Barcelona. MSC offers competitive pricing, flexible routes, and is committed to environmental protection.
- Cosco: Connecting Chinese coastal ports like Shanghai, Dalian, and Shenzhen to European ports such as Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Hamburg. As a Chinese – based carrier, Cosco has in – depth domestic knowledge, a large fleet, and enables seamless multi – modal transport.
II. Analysis of Advantages and Disadvantages of Transportation Modes
A. Air Freight
- Advantages
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- High Speed: Usually, the whole journey takes only 3 – 5 days, significantly shortening the delivery cycle for urgent needs.
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- High Safety: Stringent security checks and flight conditions reduce cargo damage risk, suiting high – value and fragile goods.
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- Strong Traceability: High – tech informatization allows real – time cargo tracking.
- Disadvantages
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- High Cost: Costs are several to dozens of times that of sea freight, making it unsuitable for large – quantity, low – value goods.
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- Limited Cargo Capacity: Aircraft have small cargo holds, and large – volume or heavy – weight goods need to be shipped in batches, increasing operational costs.
B. Sea Freight
- Advantages
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- Low Cost: It offers the lowest cost for large – scale cargo transport, reducing logistics costs.
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- Large Cargo Capacity: Ships can carry substantial amounts of goods, ideal for large – quantity shipments.
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- Mature Routes: The Shenzhen – Antwerp sea route is well – established, with frequent sailings and many options.
- Disadvantages
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- Long Transit Time: Sea voyages typically take 30 – 40 days. Considering port operations and inland transport, the overall cycle is long, leading to slow capital turnover and high inventory costs.
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- Vulnerable to Weather: Adverse weather and sea conditions can cause flight delays and cargo damage, resulting in poor transportation stability.
III. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A. What are the approximate costs of air and sea freight?
The costs of air and sea freight are affected by factors like cargo weight, volume, nature, distance, fuel prices, and market supply – demand. Generally, air freight is much more expensive. Sea freight is cost – effective for large – quantity goods, while air freight is better for high – value, urgent small – quantity goods.
When choosing SAN Logistics Limited as your freight forwarder, our extensive industry connections help us negotiate favorable rates. Our long – term partnerships with carriers like Maersk, MSC, and Cosco secure cost – efficient sea freight options. For air freight, we collaborate with airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM to optimize routes and services, cutting down on unnecessary costs. To get accurate quotes, contact our professional team at SAN Logistics Limited.
B. What is the total transit time of air and sea freight?
For air freight from Shenzhen to Antwerp, it usually takes 3 – 5 days. However, potential delays can occur due to flight schedules, airport congestion, and customs clearance.
For sea freight, the sea voyage typically takes 30 – 40 days, but port operations, waiting for berthing, and inland transport can add to the overall time.
SAN Logistics Limited has in – depth knowledge of these routes. Our experienced team can optimize the transportation plan based on your cargo needs, considering delivery timelines, cargo types, and cost constraints. We ensure smooth and timely delivery by leveraging our relationships with airlines, shipping companies, and local service providers.