When considering transload services is important?

 

Currently, due to the growth of e-commerce, transloading has become an efficient method for shipping goods. Transload your cargo is one way to gain advantage, and save time and money when complicated logistics are involved. In this post we are going to take a look at when transloading is important:

 

  1. If you ship multiple heavy containers through a state with a low truck weight limit.

The more weight you put in each container, the fewer containers you need to ship, and this represents a cost cut in ocean shipping. The only limit on the weight you can put in an ocean container is the maximum gross cargo weight listed on the container door. And when that container travels overland, the maximum weight you can put in a container is set by the states through which you truck that load to or from the port/rail terminal.

 

For instance, DOT regulations in many states in the United States let you transport 55,000 pounds or more in a 40’ ocean container, as long as you use a specialized truck with an overweight permit. However in a few states, such as California, the maximum weight in a 40’ container is limited to 47,000 pounds, with most truckers not willing to move more than 45,000 pounds.

 

So, you can fulfil the legal limits in the land portion by spreading the pounds in different trucks and in the port area, you can have a service provider who will transload the product into fewer containers. You just cut the cost of your ocean crossing and depending on your ocean freight costs, this way could generate overall transportation savings.

 

transload servicesTravel photo created by kjpargeter – www.freepik.com

 

  1. If a facility can’t load or unload an ocean container.

For example if you’re shipping to a customer that doesn’t have a loading dock. A container would cause an issue. But if you transload the cargo to a flatbed trailer, then the customer can use a forklift to unload merchandise.

Or, let’s suppose you’re exporting and you don’t want to be responsible for loading your cargo into a container and securing it properly. You might rather send that shipment in a truck to a warehouse near the port/rail terminal, where a transload services provider will transfer the cargo to an ocean container.

Transloading is not the best option if all the states your cargo will cross let trucks haul containers loaded with 55,000 pounds or more. You can benefit from the savings that come from heavy freight shipping on the ocean, and leave that cargo in containers for the landside trip as well.

Who’s the best partner for transload services?

Your partner should demonstrate:

Expertise: They should know how to unload a container, or load it and secure the cargo correctly. Experienced companies have done this kind of work for many years and will keep your load damage-free.

Commodity knowledge: They should have experience transloading many different products—from palletized cartons to heavy machinery, or they should know how to transload merchandise like the ones you ship.

Should you transload your cargo?

The answer is … it depends. An experienced team will understand your necessities and will help you do the math. If the numbers show that the answer is yes, CARGO CARE SERVICES can assist you to ensure a smooth, safe, economical move for your transloading needs, we have specialized facilities close to the main ports in the US. Contact us for a quote!

 

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Some tips to improve your transloading operation

In a previous blog, we talk about how transloading is a useful method to optimize the transportation of your merchandise from point A to point B, but, every process can be improved in order to obtain better results and save more money and time. In this opportunity, we want to give you some tips to improve your transloading operation.

Always be prepared

Do not wait for the problems to occur, be a step ahead and analyze all the obstacles that your transloading, and supply chain, can face, to establish the adequate solutions that allow you to decrease potential damages and delays.

Estipulate a time for transloading

Most of the failures during transloading are because entrepreneurs do not take into account the time of this procedure within the final times of the supply chain, leading to delays that translate into losses for your business.


Generally, transloading operation takes 48 to 72 hours to fulfil all the steps: unloading, handling and reloading the different containers of the transports. If transloading is an essential part of your supply chain, include these times, and a little more, to avoid any delay during this step.

Monitor your shipments

During transit, it can be difficult to track and control the courses of your freight. However, with the technology’s advances, the usage of programs and devices that track your freight, makes it easy to monitor its state.


The implementation of these devices will be helpful to know the general state of your freight, but also it can help you to notice problems during the transit and establish alternative decisions or routes to solve them.

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It is very important to have a good logistic to accomplish a transloading. | Photo taken from Freepik

Deconsolidate your freight

Combine the transloading with deconsolidation to cut cost. If your cargo consists of multiple goods that need to be shipped to different destinations, you can deconsolidate them nto small trailers in warehouses close to the major Ports that we, Cargo Care Services, can provide and then send them to each final destination.

With these tips to improve transloading, your next shipment will be optimal for your entire supply chain and if you need someone that helps you, we are the best choice for you. In Cargo Care Service We coordinate everything related to your ocean or air shipment; from receiving the cargo or coordinating local pickups, assessing the type and quantity of containers needed, to the moment when the cargo is delivered to the Port or Airport.

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Transloading vs Cross Docking

Transloading and Cross Docking, both methods are used by Freight Forwarders or Importers/Exporters directly to reduce costs in the supply chain, but sometimes these methods can be confused because of their similarities; even though both methods accomplish the goal of forwarding freight, they are useful for specific scenarios and that’s what we want to talk about in this opportunity.

Keep on reading and find out what is Transloading and Cross Docking and which one is better for your business.

What is Transloading?

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Transloding is a good option for your import or export needs. | Photo taken from Freepik

As we mention on a previous blog, Transloading is the operation to transfer freight from one mode of transportation to another that allows the merchandise to reach its final destination faster and in a cost effective way.

The transloading process starts when cargo arrives at a port, then is unloaded, sorted, palletized and finally loaded to another transport that delivers it to its final destination. During transloading, the goods can be stored in a warehouse until they need to be shipped. The total transloading operation takes between 48 to 72 hours.

Usually, Transloading services are used on international shipment, because the requirement of multiple transportation vehicles to accomplish the shipment from origin to the final destination, but this does not mean that inland shipment cannot use Transloading.

What is Cross Docking?

cross-docking
If you need a fast shipping Cross Docking is a good option for you. | Photo taken from Freepik

Cross Docking is similar to Transloading in the way of transferring the freight from one vehicle to another, the main difference is that in Cross Docking the goods are instantly handled and transferred from the inbound vehicle to the outbound vehicle, reducing, and almost eliminating, the time of storage of the goods. To achieve this, it is necessary rigorous planning and the usage of Advanced logistics management software to avoid delays or damages to the goods.

The freight usually arrives at a central docking station, where it is unloaded, then sorted and finally loaded in another truck to be dispatched to its final destination. Sometimes, the goods are stored when it is necessary to wait for another vehicle, or you are going to do consolidation or deconsolidation. The total Cross Docking operation takes less than 24.

Cross Docking is especially used for importers/exporters that work with raw material, finishing products, perishable goods or any item that needs fast delivery. Also this method is good to deliver the products to retailers, manufacturers or even the final customer.

With all of this, Which one is better?

Both methods aim to reduce cost for your entire supply chain, so the decision needs to be based on which one covers your needs the most.

As we mentioned before, Cross docking is useful if your merchandise needs faster forwarding in order to preserve its good state. Also, it can be good to transport multiple freights from different origins to one single final destination or vice versa.

Transloading is useful to international shipment, also, with the usage of different methods of transportation you can reach to more destinations and expand your business. Also, reduce the cost of transportation especially when you use full truckload. If you want to know more benefits of Transloading you can check our previous blog here.

Everything to reduce cost and maximize your chain supply process is beneficial for your business, and if you want an ally to help you with transloading or Cross Docking you can count on us.

In Cargo Care Services we have more than 12 years helping our clients to successfully ship their merchandise, We have experience in Cross Docking and transloading to help you with your logistics needs and advise you on the best option for you and your business.

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What is transloading?

With the increasing exporting and importing of goods, freight forwarders and cargo transportation parties constantly search for methods to reduce costs from all the supply chain processes, and transloading is one of the methods that can reduce both cost and time.


But, what exactly is transloading? Let’s find out. In this blog, we will explain everything about transloading and some benefits for your company by using this method.

Let’s start by defining transloading

Transloading, is the operation to transfer a freight from one mode of transportation to another that allows the merchandise to reach its final destination. For example, a business orders a freight of raw material from Europe to the U.S, this freight first is transported by ocean; the ship arrives at the U.S port and immediately the freight is transferred to a truck that finally transports the freight to the final destination.


This method is especially useful for imported merchandise, but also, it can be useful for inland shipping when the final destination requires a specific transport method to arrive.


Also, if your merchandise reaches multiple destinations, transloading can be helpful to optimize the supply chain process: When the freight arrives at port, it can be transload to a truck that transports it to a warehouse, here, the freight can be loaded in different trucks to ship it to the multiple destinations. Generally, a transload flee is applied, to cover the labor of discharging and charging the freight, but at the end of the day, the reduction of cost and time can cover this investment.

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Transloading, is a good transportation method to optimize your supply chain, | Photo taken from Freepik

Benefits of transloading

  1. Reduce cost of transportation: The combination of different methods of transportation allow you to reduce costs, for example, transport like rail or vessels more cost-effective for long distance.
  2. Flexibility during transit: As you use different methods of transportation, you can adapt your travel for the need of your cargo. For example, if you need to recourse your main route, you can also adopt other transport that fits well with this new route.
  3. Allows your business to reach more locations: Some locations you only can arrive by rail, others by truck, so the usage of transloading is perfect for businesses that want to expand its reach. This can be useful in both inland and international expansion.


No matter if you have a small or a big business, transloading can benefit you and optimize your entire shipping process. So if you need a transloading service for your next shipment you can count with us. In Cargo Care Services we can do this service all around U.S.A, we have the experience and knowledge so you can reduce costs in your logistic chain.

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