What is Land transportation?
Land transportation services are basically the transportation of cargo by road or rail from point “A” to another point “B” using trucks, trailers or trains.
When is it good to use ground transportation?
It is not logical to carry cargo internationally from Iran to Australia. Therefore, ground transportation is a suitable option when the point of origin and destination are accessible by land and both have a land border. Also, for full truckload (FTL) shipping, it is good to compare rates with sea freight options (FCL full container load), as it may be more cost-effective to ship cargo by sea than by land.
For small shipments moving LTL (less than truckload), we can always compare with air freight. Keep in mind that air shipping will probably be faster to reach the destination. However, air transportation is valid only in larger countries with multiple airports within the country. To check this issue, contact our experts at Blue Ocean Support.
Types of Land transportation methods
Land freight can be used in more than one type of transport. We have LTL (less than truckload) shipments that are shipped in consolidation with other shipments (in a grouping). This method is mainly effective for domestic and international ground transportation shipments that are smaller than the size of one or more pallets.
The FTL (full truckload) method, which is used for bulkier shipments, is also a Land transportation method. This method usually involves a shorter transit time than LTL shipments because the driver goes directly from the receiving point at the origin to the delivery points at the destination.
Another type is the method of carrying heavy and bulky loads. Heavy or bulky cargo, which is usually an item of excessive size and weight, is moved by special types of trailers that can handle such unusual weight or dimensions.
How does LTL or shared shipments work?
The LTL or consolidation method was created as a concept to make ground, sea and air freight transportation cheaper and sometimes with the same transit time. In the ground transportation method, shipments are collected from the sender’s loading point and delivered to the service provider’s warehouse for processing.
They are grouped and placed next to other shipments or items moving on the same route and then re-shipped to the next transit point or to the destination receiving location. This method helps the transportation service providers to manage the costs in such a way that they offer better prices to the customers.
Land transportation bill of lading
A bill of lading in land transportation is a contract of carriage from the consignor to the consignee. This contract states the details of the shipment (weight, dimensions, description or goods, value, packaging, etc.), as well as the place of receipt at the origin and the place of delivery at the destination, Incoterms and other details related to the cargo being transported. On the back of this bill of lading, you can see the terms and conditions that explain and determine the responsibility of each party in this document, including the carrier who is responsible in some cases. Especially if the shipment was received in perfect condition and was damaged during transportation or there is a problem with its parts.
In land transport, it is called “bill of lading” or “truck bill of lading”, which in some parts of the world is called CMR in French: Convention Relative au Contrat de Transport International de Marchandises par la Route). In English it means: an international agreement that includes the rights and obligations of the parties involved in road transport. For the sender, carrier and receiver!
Freight cost
In ground transportation, the cost of transportation varies in different regions. In many countries, it is calculated based on a standard rate and a special formula. For example, in many countries each CBM is equal to 333 kg based on the formula: length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm) / 3000. Or it will be in the ratio of 1:3. In this case, the weight is calculated and the cost is based on the rate per kilogram.
In other countries, shipments are charged to customers based on slots (number of pallets, boxes, skids, etc.). While in North America, calculations are done based on various factors such as goods, weight, dimensions and cargo class. But mainly if the items are non-stackable, the cost will be higher.
Domestic and international land transportation insurance obligations
Calculating land transportation costs and insurance can be a little tricky. However, it is always advisable to have an insurance cover to give everyone peace of mind in the unfortunate event of loss. Each side; The sender, receiver and carrier have their own special responsibility for the transportation process. When cargo is moved internationally by road transport, it can become more complicated as it involves the laws and regulations of different countries. While it will be much easier to move cargo from one city to another within a country by land if it is damaged or lost.
Ground transportation of small and large cargoes with variable weight requires technical knowledge and high experience. It is important to get specialized advice from experienced experts in saving costs and reducing the waste of transportation time. Our professional experts at Blue Ocean International Shipping Company will guide you in the best way. Providing the best land transportation services is the top priority of this company, which includes the complete satisfaction of its customers.
