6 Most Common Freight Types in Logistics Industry

What is Meant by Freight?

The transportation of merchandise from one site to another via trucks, trains, ships, or airplanes is called freight.

Freight transportation is further divided into three subcategories defining the means of order dispatch.

• Airfreight is the transportation of consignment via flights.
• Whereas ocean freight manages the shipment of packages via cargo ships.
• Overland freight covers the consignment delivery by road via trucks and trains.

Air freights deal with urgent deliveries or international consignments. On the other hand, ocean freight is used for heavy bulk transportation. Whereas overland transport usually delivers inland orders.

Now, let’s jump to the main section and discover some freight types that help vendors ship their consignments to their clients.

6 Most Common Freight Types in Logistics Industry

Picking the right freight solution is a tricky task, especially when you don’t know the details of how cargo companies handle and deliver the payloads. However, freight dispatch services offer by logistic companies assist in choosing the proper mode of transportation. Still, as a shipper or consignee, you must do your homework before consulting a freight dispatch service.

Here are the six freight services popular in the logistics industry.

• Full Truck Load Freight:

It comes in the overland transportation category. The full truckload freight is also known as FTL shipping. In FTL freight, trucks or trailers dispatch the orders. As the name indicates, full truckload freight means that the payload utilizes all the space available in the vehicle to carry a shipment from shipper to consignee. Full load truck dispatch is ideal for urgent orders or heavy or huge packages requiring more prominent transportation space.

• Less Than Truck Load Freight:

As the term implies, less than truckload freight does not use the entire truck or trailer space. Therefore, it is the most convenient and cost-effective cargo solution to ship smaller items and packages. LTL freight is the most general dispatch service that delivers orders timely. In LTL freight, a single truck or trailer carries all the consignments of multiple businesses and hand them over to their mentioned addresses. Hence, vendors do not have to book the entire truck and pay extra for their single package delivery.

• Rail Freight:

It also comes in the overland freight class. However, intermodal rail freight is the most inexpensive mode of shipment. Consignors can transport bulk materials via trains to inter and intra-city destinations. Trains can carry hazardous chemicals and heavy construction materials, ensuring on-time delivery with minor damage. In contrast to other dispatch methods, intermodal rail freight is an environment-friendly approach that saves both time and money for shippers and consignees.

• Ocean Freight

The shipment method preferred for hefty bulk products is ocean freight. Boats and ships carry the big consignments and transport all the packages to international destinations. It is the most used freight type around the globe.

Big merchandises send massive quantities of their products worldwide via ocean freight. The ocean freight has two sub-classes; full and less than container loads.

• Air Freight:

It is the quickest means to ship payloads both nationally and internationally. Airfreight uses air crafts such as airplanes, jets, and helicopters to dispatch payloads to their designated locations. However, it is the most expensive freight solution. Still, air freight is the best option for delivering small and sensitive urgent packages.

• Expedited Freight

Popularly known as a “hotshot service,” expedited freight ensures bolt speed delivery of different sized packages. Expedited freight guarantees same-day delivery of packages. The consignor needs to highlight the urgent delivery deadlines.

Concluding Thoughts:

You must know the suitable transiting means for your consignments when using freight service. Whether a small package or a mass payload, you can always get a cost-effective solution for your business shipments. Transporting containers from point A to B can be challenging if you don’t pick the right freight solution. And, unluckily, if you opt for unsuitable freight service, then it will cost you time and money. For example, suppose you selected the standard LTL service for products that must reach their destination the same day. In that case, you will not only lose business clients, but it will also leave a destructive impact on your venture reputation. That is why it is crucial to have in detailed conversation with your freight service provider to discuss and explain the nature and time frame of cargo packages.

You can get tailor-made freight solutions from Aims Dispatch. Our professional freight consultants assist you with choosing the best cargo service at affordable rates.