The Different Types of Freight Shipping Explained

When it comes to cargo transportation, there are four main types of freight shipping available for carriers to use. These include land (road), rail, ocean and air. Each method has its own processes that differ from one another. Intermodal rail freight is a cost-effective, efficient and environmentally friendly solution for transporting bulk or hazardous building materials to One Stop Self Storage Dayton, Ohio.

Compared to shipping by truck, shipping by rail can save you time and money, and freight can be shipped to most locations in North America due to the extensive rail systems in Canada and the United States. The fastest freight shipping option is air transport. Air cargo carriers are dedicated to managing logistics to transport smaller packages. While air freight shipping is more expensive than other types of cargo transportation, it's the best option available for urgent and time-sensitive shipments.

The most cost-effective solution for shipping cargo worldwide is ocean shipping. Freight that is shipped by ship offers a choice of transit time options, as well as options to ship with full container load (FCL) or less than container load (LCL). Expedited loading, also known as hotshot services, allows you to move different types of cargo at high speed. Hotshot services allow cargo to be delivered the same day, although this is not the same as guaranteed delivery.

All urgent shipments are handled exclusively by a carrier and are subject to a contract to meet their specific delivery deadline. If you want to learn more about the different types of cargo, or if you are interested in one of our freight forwarding services, contact C&D Logistics at 604-881-4440 or fill out a contact form on our website. You can also keep up to date with the latest news by following us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. FreightCenter can help you find the best shipping methods for your cargo. Decide which of the following types of freight transport and services best suits your needs. Air cargo services have the fastest transit time by far.

Cargo airlines or air cargo carriers are dedicated to handling logistics for the transportation of cargo. Specifically, for the shipment of smaller packages, air cargo types tend to have a higher density, meaning that they don't take up much space on a cargo plane but they do meet the weight requirements to be considered cargo. If the package weighs more than 100 pounds and is well packaged, air cargo shipping may be more cost-effective than LTL cargo methods. Air cargo involves the transportation of goods by charter or commercial airlines. In addition to being the fastest way to transport products around the world, which is ideal for time-sensitive loads, this form of shipping allows goods to be delivered to a wide range of locations both nationally and internationally. Shipping by sea is often recommended for heavy and bulky shipments because it's usually less expensive than air transport.

While air freight takes weight into account in the total cost, shipping only charges per container. In general, a full container (standard size of 20 feet or 40 feet x 40 feet) is charged a one-time fee while a lower container load (LCL) quantity is charged per cubic meter. If you choose the LCL route, your products will be packed with other shipments in the same container. The type of freight transport you choose often depends on the circumstances. But if ground transportation is a reasonable and attractive option for you, a competent partner will help you get your cargo to its destination quickly, efficiently, safely and as sustainably as possible. Intermodal transport allows companies to take advantage of the strengths of each mode and minimize their weaknesses.

Rail transport offers lower fuel costs per mile and offers a more sustainable solution compared to trucking while trucking offers flexibility to pick up and deliver cargo from almost anywhere. Air cargo services involve transporting goods by plane rather than by truck or train. This method of transportation is often used for high-value or urgent shipments that need to arrive quickly at their destination. Shipping products across the ocean can be a cost-effective option for companies looking to transport large quantities of goods. Road transport is the most common alternative for short distances within Europe. Road transport is the transport of cargo by motor vehicles on a road network. The trucks used can be semi-trailers, special trucks for frozen or dangerous products or tankers for gases and liquids. In rail freight, goods are transported on the railway network by freight trains.

As with road transport, special wagons make it possible to transport a wide range of goods. Wondering why freight charges aren't listed here? Although they are very important, they are often not relevant when deciding on a type of shipment as some alternatives are often eliminated before financial aspects can be considered. With DHL Freight, you'll always find the right solution. Freight Connections is DHL Freight's logistics blog created by DHL's experts in road transport and customs.