Have you ever wondered what the most convenient and cheapest way to transport cargo is? Whether you want to send goods from city to city or from one country to another, the answer is road freight. There’s no doubt that air and sea freight offer numerous unique benefits, but the need for trucking cannot be underestimated, as this is the service that quietly handles the greatest part of logistics around the world. This blog discusses the importance of road freight, listing its types and highlighting its key benefits.
Understanding Road Freight
In simple words, road freight can be explained as the transportation of goods from one place to another via vehicles through roads. Both short-distance deliveries and long-route transit of goods are efficiently handled by ground shipping.
Even after years of global trade and local transportation of goods, cargo transport is still considered to be the most reliable and economical. The reason lies in its easy maintenance, cheaper cost, and higher flexibility. These features of road transport enable it to cater even to rural areas, which, of course, isn’t possible for air or sea freight. It is widely used by manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, consumers, and almost every industry that relies on road transport.
Types of Vehicles Used in Road Freight
There are several types of vehicles, from trucks to cars, used in ground transportation. Some common ones are:
- Light Commercial Vehicles (LHVs)
- Medium-Duty Trucks
- Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs)
- Refrigerated Trucks
- Container Trucks
- Low Loaders
- Car Carriers
The choice of vehicle for road freight depends on several factors, such as size, nature, and cargo distance. Now, let’s understand the type of cargo you can choose from.
Types of Cargo?
In ground transportation, cargo can be divided into three types, FTL, LTL and PTL, which can be explained as:
1. FTL
If the single shipment needs a full-truck space booking, it is known as Full Truckload (FTL). Many fragile goods are transported this way for safer and quicker shipment.
2. LTL
Similarly, if the shipment takes just some part of a truck, enabling multiple bookings on the same truck, it is classified as Less Than Truckload (LTL). This is more economical if you are not shipping larger goods or in bulk.
3. PTL
Partial Truckload (PTL) is very similar to LTL. The only thing which differentiates these two is that in PTL, the cargo is transported on the same truck from booking to the destination. Whereas LTL usually involves loading and unloading at several points.
Key Benefits of Road Freight
1. Cost-Effectiveness
Road freight is a very cost-effective solution, especially for domestic or regional shipments, compared to air and sea freight. Whether you want to send a full truckload or less than a truckload, it can all be more budget-friendly and quicker for all types of goods.
2. Door-to-Door Service
In sea and air freight, there’s a long process, including pick-up and delivery to and from the port or airport, which adds more time and complexity to the process. Unlike sea and air transportation of goods, road freight allows door-to-door service, where the vehicle can pick up and deliver goods directly from your selected locations.
3. Flexibility in Routes
Another benefit of road transportation is its low maintenance and more flexibility in routing. In road transit, traffic jams, road constructions, and road closures are not a problem as detours typically don’t require additional infrastructure, special measures or extra costs. GPS and fleet management systems allow real-time route modification, so your shipment can arrive on time.
4. Faster Transit Time
Unlike air and sea freight, there are no long waits, no lengthy paperwork, and no daunting customs clearance, which enables your cargo to reach the destination faster. Where there’s an option for road freight available, it is most efficient to choose because trucks can depart as soon as they are loaded and reach their destination without delays or higher cost.
In conclusion, the importance of road freight can’t be ignored in logistics and supply chain management. Whether you want to deliver products, source raw materials, distribute goods or move agricultural products, you can do it all with road transportation. Moreover, road transit is constantly evolving with innovations in this sector worldwide, such as electric trucks, AI-powered systems, and eco-friendly practices. Technological advancements are paving the way for a brighter future for logistics, improving road freight, enabling faster deliveries, and meeting customers’ demands while reducing carbon footprints.
How Does Cistus Freight Can Help You?
Are you looking for reliable freight solutions? Cistus Freight is here for you. Whether you prefer air, sea, or road freight, we’ve got you covered. A number of cargo choices, a real-time tracking facility, and unparalleled customer support provide a top-notch transportation experience. From pick up to delivery, we take complete care of your goods, so you don’t have to worry about delays, safety or customs clearance.
Book your shipment with Cistus Freight today, and let our experts handle the rest!
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