Looking to ship goods but unsure which freight shipping option is right for you? Don’t worry! Whether you need quick delivery or have large, heavy items to transport, there are various freight shipping methods available to suit your needs.
Below, we’ll break down the main types of freight shipping and provide everything you need to make an informed decision.
What is Freight Shipping?
Freight shipping is the transportation of goods or cargo by land, air, or sea, using specialised carriers and equipment to ensure safe delivery. It’s primarily used for commercial or industrial purposes, such as transporting raw materials or finished products. However, freight services also accommodate smaller shipments, like Less than Truckload (LTL) or Less than Container Load (LCL), for businesses with lighter or less frequent shipping needs.
Freight shipping services typically include:
- Road Freight
- Rail Freight
- Air Freight
- Ocean Freight (Sea Freight)
Let’s explore each type to help you determine the best option:
Types of Freight for Ground Transportation (Road and Rail)
When it comes to ground transportation, the two main options for freight shipping are road and rail:
Road Freight
Road freight is the most common method of shipping, using trucks, vans, or trailers to transport goods over land. Its convenience and flexibility make it popular, offering door-to-door delivery where goods are picked up from your location and delivered directly to the specified address.
The two main types of road freight are:
Full Truckload (FTL)
As the name suggests, FTL shipping involves a full truckload of goods, typically ranging between 42,000 to 45,000 pounds (19,000 to 20,400 kg), depending on truck capacity and regional regulations. It’s ideal for businesses with large shipments on specific schedules, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution.
Benefits of FTL shipping:
- Dedicated truck usage: Freight isn’t combined with other shipments, minimising handling and damage risks.
- Faster transit times: The truck travels directly from origin to destination without extra stops.
- Custom scheduling: Flexible pickup and delivery times tailored to your needs.
FTL shipping is perfect for large quantities, perishable goods, or high-value shipments requiring enhanced security.
Less Than Truckload (LTL)
LTL shipping, or Less Than Truckload, is a cost-effective option for businesses with smaller shipments. Unlike FTL, it consolidates shipments from multiple customers into one truckload, with each paying only for the space and weight their freight occupies. This makes it ideal for businesses that don’t require full truckloads.
Benefits of LTL shipping:
- Cost savings: Pay only for the portion of the truck used.
- Efficient resource use: Maximises truck space by consolidating smaller shipments.
- Accessibility: Ideal for businesses with smaller or infrequent shipments.
LTL is particularly suited for dry goods and other non-urgent items, providing a flexible and economical solution for smaller loads.
Rail Freight
Rail freight is an efficient option for long-distance shipments, capable of moving large quantities of goods, particularly heavy, bulky, or high-volume items like raw materials and industrial products.
Benefits of rail freight:
- Cost-efficiency: Handles heavier loads at a lower cost per tonne compared to road freight.
- Eco-friendliness: Trains are among the most fuel-efficient modes of transport, making this a sustainable choice.
- Reliability: Consistent schedules ensure dependable delivery for less time-sensitive shipments.
While not ideal for urgent deliveries, rail freight is excellent for businesses prioritising cost and volume. However, additional trucking may be needed to move goods between rail terminals and final destinations, potentially increasing overall logistics costs.
Types of Freight for Air and Sea Transportation
For international shipping that spans oceans or requires fast delivery across continents, air and sea transportation are essential. These methods enable the efficient movement of goods over long distances, tailored for both urgent and bulk shipments.
The two primary options for air and sea transportation are:
- Air Freight
- Sea Freight
Alternatively, multi-modal freight combines air, sea, and/or ground transportation, offering flexibility and cost savings by leveraging the strengths of each mode for different parts of the journey.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest shipping option, ideal for time-sensitive goods needing quick delivery, often within a few days. Best suited for small packages or urgent shipments, air freight costs are typically based on dimensional weight, which accounts for size and weight.
Service Options:
- Express services: Guarantees delivery within a specific timeframe, often overnight or next day, at a higher cost.
- Standard services: More affordable rates with slightly longer transit times.
Benefits of Air Freight:
- Speed: Rapid delivery for time-critical shipments.
- Reliability: Predictable schedules ensure timely arrival.
- Security: Less handling reduces the risk of damage or theft.
However, air freight can be expensive and subject to delays from weather or logistical issues.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is the most economical option for large or heavy shipments that aren’t time-sensitive. It’s ideal for bulk goods like machinery, vehicles, and non-perishable commodities. Costs are calculated based on volume or weight, whichever is higher.
Primary Types of Sea Freight:
- Full Container Load (FCL): Exclusive use of an entire container for faster handling and added security.
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Shared container space for smaller shipments, though consolidation may extend transit times.
- Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro): Designed for wheeled cargo like cars and trucks, which are driven on and off the vessel.
- Break Bulk: For oversized or irregular goods that don’t fit in standard containers, requiring specialised handling.
Benefits of Sea Freight:
- Cost-efficiency: Best for large, heavy, or bulk shipments.
- Scalability: Accommodates high volumes and diverse cargo types.
- Tracking Technology: Enhances monitoring of cargo from origin to destination.
While slower than air or rail, sea freight is highly cost-effective for shipments with long lead times. Recent advancements in tracking technology make it easier to manage cargo throughout the journey.
Intermodal Freight
Intermodal freight involves using multiple modes (one or more) of transportation – such as trucks, trains, and ships – to transport goods. It’s often used for long-distance shipments, where multiple modes of transportation are necessary to reach their final destination. For example, goods might be transported from a factory to a port by truck, shipped overseas by vessel, and then delivered to their final destination via train.
Main benefits of intermodal freight include:
- Cost-efficiency: Combining multiple modes of transport reduces overall shipping costs, especially for long distances.
- Environmental sustainability: Trains and ships are more fuel-efficient than trucks, lowering the carbon footprint of the shipment.
- Reduced handling: Goods remain in the same container throughout the journey, minimising the risk of damage or loss during transfers.
Intermodal freight offers a balanced solution for businesses looking to optimise their supply chains.
What are Expedited Freight Services?
You’ve probably heard the term ‘expedited freight services’ before, but what exactly does it mean? Expedited freight refers to shipments that require a faster transit time than standard shipping options. This can be for various reasons, such as urgent delivery deadlines or time-sensitive goods.
Some common examples of expedited freight include:
- Medical supplies: Life-saving medicines and equipment often require fast and reliable transportation to reach their destination on time.
- Perishable goods: Food items with short shelf lives need to be transported quickly to avoid spoilage.
- Production parts: In manufacturing industries, timely delivery of production parts is crucial for meeting production schedules and avoiding costly delays.
While expedited freight services come at a premium cost, they are invaluable for businesses requiring speed and reliability in critical situations.
Which Type of Freight is Right for You?
Choosing the right type of freight for your shipments will depend on how fast, reliable, and cost-effective you need your delivery to be.
- Standard Freight: This option is best suited for non-urgent shipments with a longer lead time. It offers a more economical solution compared to expedited freight.
- Expedited Freight: If time is of the essence, expedited shipping would be the ideal choice. However, it may come at a higher cost.
Ultimately, understanding your shipment’s urgency and budget will help determine which type of freight service is right for you.
Contact MCC World International for Your Freight Needs
At MCC World International, we offer a range of freight services to meet your shipping needs. Our team of logistics experts can help you determine the best mode and type of freight for your shipments. Get in touch with our freight forward experts today for a consultation:
- Phone: 1300 66 88 16 (Local) | +61 (03) 9602 3389 (Overseas)
- Location: 18/44 Sparks Ave Fairfield Victoria 3078
- Email: info@mccworldinternational.com
- Website: www.mccworldinternational.com
Contact us today to learn more about our expedited freight options and how we can assist you in meeting your urgent delivery requirements. With our reliable and efficient services, you can trust us to get your shipments delivered on time, every time.
