What Are the Common Types of Freight Transport?

Sometimes you need to ship cargo. Sometimes you don’t want to drive your cargo thousands of miles. Sometimes you need to get it there fast.

Every once in a while, there’s a perfect storm of ‘sometimes’ when it comes to shipping. You want fast, reliable deliveries at prices that won’t cause you to have palpitations.

What are the common types of freight transport? Find out everything about freight shipping below.

Road Transport

Road transport is one of the most common types of freight transport. This makes the movement of goods from one location to another reliable and cost-effective. Both heavy cargo and lightweight goods can be transported by road.

The flexibility, speed, and security of freight transportation makes it suitable for a variety of cargo-carrying needs. Like perishable goods, dangerous goods, and the transportation of animals. Road transport allows for even distribution of the load’s weight.

Some goods need to use a large truck when transported to another location. If you’re on the hunt for one, be sure to consider flatbed trucking services as they can provide excellent transportation for large and bulk goods.

Rail Transport

This method of transporting goods involves using a railway system, or railway network. It moves goods and freight from one location to the next. Rail transport includes cost-effectiveness, especially over long distances.

Also, the decreased environmental impacts due to its fuel efficiency. It also offers quicker transit times than other forms of freight transport. This makes it essential to move shipments promptly.

Maritime Transport

Maritime transport is a type of freight transport that involves ships traveling over water to move goods from one place to another. It is the most common type of freight transport that corporations and governments use to transport goods between countries. Maritime transport is the preferred choice for transporting large quantities of goods long distances.

Since ships can carry large quantities of goods, whether containerized or bulk cargoes. Common types of maritime freight include chemicals, oil, gas, food, minerals, consumer goods, cars, and cruise ships. Also, maritime transport helps to facilitate global trade and to provide the movement of goods for export and import.

Air Transport

This type of freight transport is generally more costly than road or rail, but it is also much faster and more efficient. This allows to move items quickly across the globe. Commonly shipped items via air transport include perishable goods, costly items, hazardous supplies, and certain commodities.

Intermodal Transport

Intermodal transport is the use of multiple modes of transport to move freight from one place to another. Common types of freight transport are often used in intermodal transport, including rail, air, sea, and truck.

This type of transportation is especially efficient in reducing transit times and decreasing the amount of handling needed. Intermodal transportation also reduces costs, as it can often be less expensive than using only one shipment method.

Learn More About the Types of Freight

Freight transport is essential to global commercial operations, and various types of freight transport are available. Common types include rail, truck, barge, ocean, and air, and each has its advantages when transporting goods.

So it’s important to consider the specific needs of your business when selecting an appropriate freight type. To learn more, contact an expert freight transport consultant today.

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