14 December 2017

Freight transport

What do we mean by freight transport?

We call freight transport to all that transport of merchandise that forms part of a logistics chain and with a considerable volume of cargo, that needs to place one or several products in the place and time indicated.

Freight transport will move the products or freight from the point of departure to the final point, passing through places of embarkation, storage and disembarkation. Many know cargo transport as the logistics or distribution service.

It should be noted that cargo transport is not a unidirectional service, but sometimes, the delivery is in the opposite direction, from the consumer to the producer.

What means of transport does cargo transport require?
It is usual to relate cargo transport with land transport by truck LTL or TL. However, cargo transport can use different means of transport according to the needs that arise. There are, therefore, different modes of transport for cargo transport:

• The transport of land cargo: Through vehicles such as tankers and railways. The loading units can be in containers or in tank containers.
• The transport of maritime cargo: Like container ships, which transport standardized cargo containers by sea means.
• The air cargo transport: The shipment of cargo by plane is the fastest way to ensure delivery of the goods on time, although it is also the most expensive.

In Transportes F. Ramos we combine different modes of transport, either by land, sea and air, in a flexible way (multimodal transport). In this way, we adapt to the requirements of each delivery and use the most efficient formula, guaranteeing that the specific conditions and requirements of the product are respected and with strict compliance with the delivery time.

Palletized shipment vs. loaded in containers
There are different strategies to organize and transport the cargo: by palletizing and by containers. Each system has its pros and cons and according to the requirements of the merchandise we can choose the most appropriate method. Below we develop the characteristics of each one:

PALETIZATION
The transport by pallets or pallets is based on a platform of low height, usually made of wood, which facilitates the transport and storage of the goods as a unit.

There are different types of pallets. The most common measures are 800x1000 mm, 1200x1000 mm and 1200x1200 mm, and can support up to 1,000 kg. Good pallet logistics will facilitate handling and placement in shelves and vehicles.

Advantages of pallets:

• Improves the use of space.
• Implantation of inventory management and control.
• Damage reduction
• It facilitates the reception and control of deliveries of goods.
• The handling time is reduced in relation to the load without pallet.

Disadvantages of pallets

• Investment in pallets or pallets.
• Need to have a handling equipment to load, unload and handle pallets.
• Risk of fire
• Not friendly with the environment.

CONTAINERS
Transport system using containers designed for large volumes of cargo, facilitating the transfer in a fast and safe way. The container is a permanent structure to move the load. Among the different types of containers we highlight the dryvan (standard), Reefer, Insulated, Open Top, Flatrack, tank type and ventilated, among others.

It should be noted that for the container to be more profitable, it must be loaded in its entirety.

Advantages of the containers:

• The loading and unloading of merchandise is streamlined.
• More automated process with which less labor is required.
• Lower cost of packaging.
• Less deterioration of the merchandise.

• Initial investment of the equipment (recoverable).
• Not all goods are suitable.