Transporting Freight Services 101 For Businesses

We would often see advertisements that would include big ships, trucks, or planes, with the words “freight” and “service.” But what do these words mean to businesses? Freight are marketable goods movable either by air, sea, or land. When you get them on a plane, ship, or truck, you are then transporting freight. To make sure that you’re choosing the right shipping, if you’re planning to ship out packages or cargo that total to over 150 pounds, then Freight Services is an excellent way to go.

When you transport by hiring Freight Services, you have several modes you can choose from, and the best one will depend on your clients’ location. You can have them moved by land, water, air, or a mix of two or all modes of transport.

1. Shipment by Land

Vehicles often used in transporting freight by land are trailers, trucks, or trains. It is cost-effective to move freight by land compared to transporting it by air, but it is often not the case when the cargo needs an overseas transfer. In this scenario, businesses often opt for vehicle-friendly containers to ensure the safety of the freight regardless of the transportation it needs to get to the client.

There are types of trucks and trailers available for moving freight by land.

Dry Van

Dry Van trailers are popular ones and are always on the road. The cargo is in a closed container, protected from outside influence. These are perfect for non-perishable freight.

Refrigerated Trucks

Also known as “reefers,” these vehicles often specialize in moving perishable goods. The container for the goods works with a different power source other than the vehicle’s, making sure the products are fresh.

Oversized Freights

Oversized trailers often require planning. There are pointers that businesses often remember with transporting oversized cargo, such as requiring permits, depending on the state that the vehicles will pass through. They travel by a separate car that monitors and watches over their travel.

Flatbed Trailers

These trailers are open to the elements, and the drivers or their companions secure the load to the vehicle. Shipments can often be from both sides and can take on full-width loads. Along with dry van trailers, flatbeds are often a usual sight on the road.

2. Shipment by Water

Ferries or ships are the usual transport modes that can accommodate shipping containers or pallets. Companies often use trucks or trailers to transport the shipping containers to the ferries, and they carry these containers to the next port. A new vehicle will then pick up the containers to move them to a different location.

3. Shipment by Air

If your business works with a time constraint when shipping cargo to your clients, then sending them by air is the next best thing. This scenario, which may also depend on how your company plans it, may require transportation by land first. When you transport freight by air, you need to know of the limitations. These limits are for the safety of the cargo and the plane.

Businesses also take into consideration the reasons that affect freight shipping rates. The transportation of the freight, for example, the vehicle needed to move the cargo, can also affect the rates. Where the shipment will come from, and its destination to be reached are also among the factors. This is due to the distance in between, which will determine how much the rate will be. 

The size and weight also need to be noted as they need to meet specific regulations. Lastly, if the freight needs any special consideration, such as hazardous materials, fragile items, and perishable goods, these are also taken into account to know how much the transportation costs will be.