What is FTL transportation?
FTL (Full Truck Load) refers to a single transport of goods, occupying the entire available freight space of a single truck. This type of transportation refers to a situation in which a company wants to transport a large number of goods at once and uses the entire vehicle for this purpose. Another name for this service is full-vehicle delivery.
FTL carriage is a simple solution and in many ways less cumbersome than LTL carriage. Here are three features that support this thesis:
- FTL transport is a minor organizational challenge, as the parties involved in the transport are only the carrier and the principal.
- FTL transportation allows for faster turnaround, as the carrier can set off from the starting point directly to the destination – without many stops along the way. This allows it to take the optimal route and save not only time but also fuel.
- FTL transportation reduces the risk of cargo damage because the transported goods do not have to be reloaded at any point during the transit. Once loaded and secured, the goods will be unloaded only at the place of collection.
When is it worth choosing FTL transportation?
First of all, when you have enough goods to fill a whole truck. This is important, because when you choose this transport option, you have to pay for all the cargo space the carrier makes available in the vehicle. Another situation in which FTL transportation can be cost-effective is when you have products with a short shelf life or those that lose value over time, such as Food (primarily meat (including fish), vegetables and fruits), cut flowers and potted plants.
The desire to take advantage of cheaper transportation, shared with other entrepreneurs, may result in spoiled goods (such as food), exposing your company to much greater losses than if you choose a more expensive form of transportation.
What does LTL transportation consist of?
LTL (Less Than Truck Load) is a variant of transportation service in which the entrepreneur buys only part of the vehicle’s cargo area. Other names for this service you may encounter are PTL (Partial Load), partial delivery or groupage transport. The terms are often used interchangeably.
An important feature of LTL transportation is that it involves a number of traders who ship cargo. This method is, for obvious reasons, cheaper than reserving an entire vehicle, but it comes with certain limitations.
First of all, LTL transport can take longer because the carrier has to plan the route, taking into account all pick-up points. However, if the goods do not lose value over time, simply scheduling transportation well in advance will make this limitation no longer relevant.
When is it a good idea to use LTL transportation?
EXAMPLE
The Polish company held a contest for its Portuguese customers as part of its promotion of newly opened branches in the country. The shipment of prizes will take place from Poland, and as many as one hundred people are awarded. So it will definitely be cheaper for the company to send a hundred shipments on one transport, packed together. Once in Portugal, the delivery of the separate packages will be handled by a local company.
Summary
FTL and LTL are equally useful transportation services, the usefulness of which depends on your company’s situation and the cargo you want to transport. However, if none of these solutions meet your requirements (for example, you are transporting hazardous substances or other goods for which it is necessary to proceed in accordance with non-standard procedures), look for a so-called “non-standard” solution. dedicated transportation services, where carriers offer a personalized approach to cargo, as well as a range of additional services.
