LTL Shipping

LTL Shipping: Streamlining Freight

Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping is a popular choice for businesses that have smaller shipments that do not require an entire truck. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of LTL shipping, its benefits, and how it operates within the logistics industry.

LTL shipping refers to a transportation method that combines multiple smaller shipments from different companies into a single truckload. Instead of utilizing an entire truck for a single shipment, LTL carriers consolidate freight from multiple shippers into a shared trailer. This consolidation allows companies to share the cost of transportation, making it an economical choice for small to medium-sized businesses.

LTL Shipping Benefits:

1. Cost-Effective: LTL shipping offers significant cost savings by allowing multiple companies to share the cost of transportation. Each shipper pays only for the space their shipment occupies in the trailer, making it a more affordable option compared to full truckload shipping.
2. Flexibility: LTL shipping provides businesses with flexibility in shipping smaller quantities. It allows shippers to send partial shipments while paying only for the space they use. This flexibility enables companies to optimize their supply chain and maintain efficient inventory management.
3. Reduced Risk: Since LTL shipments are consolidated, the risk of damage or loss is reduced. LTL carriers typically have advanced handling procedures and specialized equipment to handle multiple shipments carefully. Additionally, many LTL carriers provide shipment tracking, allowing shippers to monitor their freight throughout the transportation process.
4. Environmental Sustainability: LTL shipping contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the number of trucks on the road. By consolidating shipments, LTL carriers maximize the use of available trailer space, reducing fuel consumption and minimizing carbon emissions. Choosing LTL shipping can be an eco-friendly choice for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

How does LTL shipping work?

1. Freight Pickup: The LTL carrier collects shipments from different shippers at their respective locations. Shippers may either deliver the freight to the carrier's terminal or schedule a pickup.
2. Freight Consolidation: Once the carrier collects the shipments, they are taken to a hub or terminal, where they are sorted and consolidated based on their destination. The carrier maximizes trailer space by arranging shipments strategically to optimize efficiency.
3. Linehaul Transportation: After consolidation, the carrier transports the consolidated freight to the destination area. This involves long-haul transit, where the trailer may make several stops at different terminals along the way.
4. Freight Delivery: Upon reaching the destination area, the carrier's local terminal takes over the delivery process. Shipments are sorted again based on their final destinations and loaded onto local delivery trucks. These trucks complete the last-mile delivery, dropping off each shipment at its respective destination.

How do I book an LTL shipment?

Translogistics (TLI) offers a powerful TMS (Transportation Management System) portal called ViewPoint TMS, which incorporates an LTL rating engine. Together, we will explore the process of rating LTL shipments using ViewPoint TMS, highlighting the benefits it provides to shippers.

Accessing ViewPoint TMS:  To begin rating LTL shipments, shippers need to access the ViewPoint TMS portal provided by Translogistics (TLI). This web-based platform allows shippers to manage their transportation operations efficiently, including rating, routing, tracking, and reporting for LTL shipments.

Entering Shipment Details:  Once logged in, shippers can navigate to the LTL rating section within ViewPoint TMS. Here, they can enter the relevant shipment details, such as origin and destination addresses, weight, dimensions, and any additional requirements or special instructions.

LTL Rating Engine:  Within the TMS system, shippers can choose the LTL contract provided by Translogistics (TLI). This engine utilizes comprehensive data and algorithms to calculate accurate rates for LTL shipments based on industry standards, carrier contracts, and other relevant factors.

Carrier Selection:  After entering the shipment details, the LTL rating engine generates a list of available carriers along with their corresponding rates. Shippers can evaluate the options based on cost, service level, transit time, and other relevant factors to select the most suitable carrier for their shipment.

Comparing Rates and Services:  ViewPoint TMS presents the rated LTL shipment options in a user-friendly format, allowing shippers to compare rates, service levels, and any additional value-added services provided by the carriers. This enables shippers to make informed decisions based on their specific requirements.

Additional Features and Benefits:  The Transportation Management System offers additional features that enhance the rating process and overall logistics management:

a. Transit Time Calculation: The TMS portal provides estimated transit times for each LTL carrier, allowing shippers to consider the time sensitivity of their shipments.

b. Rate History: Shippers can access their rate history within ViewPoint TMS, enabling them to analyze trends, track expenses, and identify opportunities for cost optimization.

c. Reporting and Analytics: The TMS portal offers robust reporting capabilities, providing shippers with valuable insights into their LTL shipping activities, carrier performance, and cost analysis.

LTL Shipping Summary:

Translogistics (TLI)'s ViewPoint TMS, equipped with an LTL rating engine, empowers shippers to streamline their LTL shipment rating process. By utilizing this comprehensive TMS portal, shippers gain access to accurate and competitive LTL rates, density calculators, NMFC retrieval, carrier selection tools, and additional features like transit time calculation and reporting capabilities. Leveraging ViewPoint TMS enables shippers to make informed decisions, optimize costs, and enhance overall logistics efficiency in their LTL shipping operations.