If you’re looking for extra capacity in a tight freight market or exploring cost-saving options for your supply chain, intermodal shipping could be what you need. Anything from electronics to home décor can ship securely via intermodal, and if you have consistent shipments traveling 750 miles or more, it can offer a number of benefits along
In the last two updates, we focused on how changing consumer behavior has altered the truckload market. Escalating retail sales, driven by a shift to online retail, has provided a catalyst for the robust demand we have experienced over the last several months. Increased demand against the backdrop of fixed truckload capacity has led to skyrocketing spot market rates. To get a clear sense of what’s happening, we need to closely monitor key indicators related to both demand and capacity.
Because many shipments need more than standard pick-up and delivery options, transportation providers often offer additional solutions to customize the service. But since not everyone needs the same add-ons, they’re charged as accessorial fees.
Like with any logistics solution, the decision to use full-truckload shipping really depends on whether your shipment can benefit from the way the service works. When you break full truckload down to its basic components, it’s differentiated from other transportation options in two ways: the fact that you get exclusive use of the equipment (which is untrue for modes like LTL) and how the market works.
The full-truckload market is valued at more than $193 billion in the U.S., and more than 928,000 for-hire carriers are available to shippers. With a market that size, it’s no surprise there are a lot of questions about how to navigate it — especially for people new to the industry. If that’s you, check
“How long does freight shipping take?” — it’s the question every shipper wants to know the answer to so they can plan appropriately and set the right expectations for delivery. And it depends on several things. Let’s look at how transit times are calculated, the things that could impact delivery, and what to expect for each mode and service option.
Contract rates and spot rates are two of the most common pricing options when shipping truckload freight. Understanding how they work can help you determine which type of rate to use for each load — enabling you to manage your freight budget more efficiently and save on shipping costs. Let’s look at the definitions of both, and then go over when it makes most sense to use one or the other.
Moving freight across the U.S.-Canada border is essentially as easy as moving freight domestically: there are just a few extra steps involved. The biggest differences are working with a licensed customs broker and filling out customs documents. Working with a licensed and bonded carrier that is well-experienced moving freight across the border makes the process easy!
With less than six weeks left until Black Friday, the race is on to get products ready for the holiday shopping season. And while many may be eager to put 2020 in the rear-view mirror, others are relying on the fourth quarter to boost sales and revenue. Having a plan in place is essential for success — especially since holiday sales will likely look different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.