Shipping is the art of moving goods and products from one location to another, either between warehouses within the same business, exchanging goods from supplier to seller, or moving goods to customers. There are many different ways in which businesses can ship their products and items, with each solution having their own pros and cons that suit certain scenarios better than others. Here are some of the different shipping methods that businesses utilizes to get their products from A to B.
Truckload
The majority of cargo is going to be transported in some way via truck, making it one of the most popular ways to deliver items during the shipping process. Shipping products via this method is great for businesses that run on a state or national level (depending on the country’s size) and it is also a reliable way to transport goods that weigh more than 15,000 pounds.
Truckloads are an effective way to transport a high volume of bulk goods, and due to shipments usually being delivered in the same trailer in which they were picked up, the risk of items getting lost or damaged is minimal.
Truckloads are also a good option for when you want to transport goods that might not fit into an entire truck. In these cases, trucks can be used to hold multiple shipments for several shippers, and the delivery of these goods is organized in accordance withthe destination and expected delivery time. This process is known as LTL (less-than-truckload) and is very effective.
Train
Shipping goods via train is perhaps the oldest form of shipping, and although it may be considered outdated by a lot of workers, it’s still a viable and economical way to ship freight loads. It’s an effective way to move goods cross-country and can haul a similar sized load to that of a truck shipment. It’s perhaps one of the cheapest ways to transport cargo, and can be an effective way to move goods; however, to be truly effective with this type of shipping, businesses need to ensure they have good routes and access to railway tracks.
Air
Many freight and cargo services utilize airplanes and other flying vehicles to haul over big quantities of stock and produce between large areas, such as from one country to another. Shipping cargo via air is expensive and bests suits businesses that operate on a global level. Air shipping is undoubtably the fastest method of transport but it isn’t the most economical, and it carries the highest risk of damage or loss. As you’re most likely to be using air shipping for large loads of high value, it’s a good idea to invest in freight cargo insurance to protect your investment in case problems occur.
Sea
Shipping goods via boats, cargo ships, and other aquatic methods is by far the most popular way to transport goods between countries, as you’re capable of transporting a huge amount of goods in a single trip, making them the most economical and cost-effective. Cargo is moved in large, corrugated containers to keep it protected and secure. Transporting goods this way can be a lot slower than other methods, but it’s reliable and remains one of the most popular ways to transport produce between continents.