Did you know that LTL shipping, known as “Less Than Truckload” shipping, has been around since the 1980s? As a result of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, more and more companies chose it, transforming the transportation industry.
Then, it has become an essential component of the freight forwarding sector. We’ll show you how LTL shipping may help your company and keep your customers happy at all times in this post.
So, if you’ve been looking at LTL freight shipping options, you’ve come to the right place. Keep on reading for our full breakdown of the key six benefits of picking LTL shipping for your business.
What is LTL Shipping?
Let’s start with the foundational building blocks of LTL shipping. Then, we can delve into the intricacies of the shipping procedure.
LTL shipments are those that fall in between package and full truckload. LTL is the ideal option when your goods aren’t heavy or large enough to fill a full truckload or Full Truckload (FTL).
A shipper shares truck or carrier space and costs with other shippers in LTL shipment. LTL carriers combine freight from various terminal networks and shippers. Next, they consolidate freight that is to be carried on the same route or lanes and deliver it on time.
The Benefits of LTL Shipping
Having a shipping firm pick up, load, and transport your goods to your chosen location is the quickest and simplest method to send it.
This, however appealing it may seem, is not a cost-effective option. Shippers often select LTL freight in such situations. Even though LTL shipping is slower and has more handling touchpoints than FTL shipping, it may be advantageous in various ways.
1. Reduces Risk
When it comes to smaller cargoes, it appears fair to compare the risks of package delivery and LTL service. Even though FTL is the most secure method, LTL is much better than package delivery for smaller goods. In this particular instance, it is because your business is in charge of palletizing and restricting your goods.
As a result of having complete control over how your goods are packaged. Then, they’re carried as a unit, the danger of loss or damage from the pallet or container you have built is minimized.
Pallets and boxes are used to protect your goods from typical wear and tear that occurs due to handling and exposure to other freight in the trailer.
2. Decreasing Your Shipping Costs
The most essential and significant benefit of LTL shipping is the lower shipping cost.
Because you’ll be sharing a carrier’s cargo space with other shippers, you’ll also be sharing the cost of that space, lowering your total shipping expenses.
Essentially, trucking firms save money by filling a full truckload from different shippers, resulting in increased fuel economy, lower operational expenses, and a reduction in the number of carriers.
Consider what would happen if they had to utilize a whole truck to carry items not up to the vehicle’s capacity. As a result, both transportation firms and shippers benefit. You can also delve into the nuances of the process by checking out this guide for more info.
3. Better Security and Safety
With adequate packing, LTL shipping guarantees enhanced protection for your goods.
Generally, shipping firms guarantee that your goods are properly packed, and they will go out of their way to repack them if the shipments are changed.
This protects your goods from both physical and environmental harm. Typically, your goods are packed and stacked into pallets before being placed onto the carrier, reducing the chance of cargo loss while in transit between numerous locations.
4. Higher Degree of Operational Flexibility
FTL shipping is frequently believed to provide greater control and flexibility, which is correct. However, this does not negate the fact that LTL may offer you operational flexibility – in fact, it can.
LTL may be a great option for shippers or companies who have frequent shipments but low volume. Shippers often engage in long-term agreements with carriers to guarantee that their goods are picked on time, transported along the intended route, and delivered within the specified time period.
LTL also allows producers to conserve storage space by delivering products in batches regularly, rather than keeping a large batch and then shipping it all at once.
Another advantage of LTL is that it allows you to coordinate your operations so that your goods are always accessible to customers at all times, regardless of market demand-supply changes.
5. Better for the Environment
As more and more businesses seek environmentally friendly alternatives, LTL emerges as one of the environmentally friendly alternatives.
Because you combine your shipments with those of other shippers, you assist shipping firms in saving fuel by maximizing the efficiency of their trucks and the route they take.
6. Accurate Tracking
Because many LTL carriers provide monitoring and tracking services, the likelihood of your item being lost in transit is very low, regardless of how many handling points it passes through.
Following a cargo may be done using a number from the Bill of Lading, a purchase order number, a shipment reference number, a date range for pickup and delivery, and frequent alerts to the shipper.
Furthermore, many shippers and shipping firms have agreed on the most efficient path to minimize the number of stops and, therefore, the number of handling locations.
Managing Freight: Understanding the LTL Process
If you’re new to the transportation business, figuring out LTL shipping can be rather overwhelming. But, we hope that our guide has shed some light on the process and highlighted the six perks that you can enjoy once you’ve set up LTL shipping.
And, if you enjoyed reading our article, then you’ll love checking out our additional tips and tricks. All of those will be available in our business section.
