Truckload shipping
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Truckload shipping is the movement of large amounts of homogeneous cargo, generally the amount necessary to fill an entire semi-trailer or intermodal container. A truckload carrier is a trucking company that generally contracts an entire trailer-load to a single customer. This is as opposed to a less-than truckload (LTL) company that generally mixes freight from several customers in each trailer.One advantage Full Truckload carriers have over Less than Truckload carriers is that the freight is never handled en route, whereas an LTL shipment will typically be transported on several different trailers.
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[edit] Responsibilities
Full truckload carriers normally deliver a semi trailer to a shipper who will fill the trailer with freight for one destination. After the trailer is loaded, the driver returns to the shipper to collect the required paperwork (i.e. Bill of lading, Invoice, and Customs paperwork) and depart with the trailer containing freight. In most cases the driver then proceeds directly to the consignee and delivers the freight him or herself. Occasionally, a driver will transfer the trailer to another driver who will drive the freight the rest of the way. Full Truckload (FTL) transit times are normally constrained by the driver's availability according to Hours of Service regulations and distance. It is normally accepted that Full Truckload drivers will transport freight at an average rate of 47 miles per hour (including traffic jams or queues at intersections).
Due to the fact that truckload carriers are asked to ship such a variety of items, a truckload carrier will often specialize in moving a specific kind of freight. Some carriers will stick to transporting food and perishable items, whereas others may stick to moving poison and hazmat materials. Carriers will only transport specfic freight because different equipment and insurance is needed for the different kinds. There are also federal laws stating what types of freight can be shipped together in the same trailer.
[edit] History
When the American Interstate Highway System expanded in the 1950's, the trucking industry took over a large market share for the transportation of goods throughout the country. Before this time era, trains had been relied on to transport the bulk of the goods across the country. The Interstate Highway System allowed for merchandise to travel door to door much more easily. Since that time, truckload carriers have taken advantage of the interstate system to transport merchandise across the country. They typically wil bring the merchandise from the distribution center in one area of the country to a distribution center in a different part of the country. The increase in truckload freight transportation has reduced the amount of time it takes to transport the goods where the freight was manufactured or produced to the different areas around the nation.
[edit] Truckload Carriers/Services References
- Schneider National
- J.B. Hunt
- Swift Transportation
- Werner Enterprises
- Kool Pak LLC (Refrigerated Freight)
- Transportistas Unidos Mexicanos (TUM)
- Marketrans Transportation Services Inc. or Marketrans Transportation Services Inc.
[edit] Sources
http://www.thirdpartylogisticsinc.com truckload carrier http://fleetowner.com/fleetseek/truckload_carriers/index.html
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/truckload
Constantin, James A. and Hudson, William J.. Motor Transportation: Principles and Practices. The Ronal Press Company. New York, 1958. Pages 149-154.
Bardi, Joseph E., Coyle, John J., and Langley, John C. Jr..The Management of Business Logistics: A Supply Chain Perspective. Cengage Learning, 2000. Pages 45-58, 67-81.
