Choosing the best transport for each type of goods is not an easy task. You need to know what modes are available, costs, dates, characteristics and other factors to make the right choice.
Nowadays, the transport of goods is articulated through a large number of modes that can be combined to make up the route of goods from one point to another. The choice of one alternative or another is subject to certain factors related to the nature of the cargo, its origin, destination, delivery priority, and so on.
However, choosing the best transport for our goods depends, first, on knowing and listing the modes of transport and their main characteristics.
What modes of transport are available?
There are four basic modes of transport. However, the delivery of goods sometimes requires the participation of several modes of transport, which would be included within a intermodal solution.
Overland by road
This is the most common mode for short and medium distance journeys. This mode is generally present during the initial and final leg of the charge. Its cost is quite low.
Overland rail
Also at a reasonable cost, its main difference from road transport is that there is less flexibility in organising loading and unloading points. In its favour, it is ideal for covering longer distances.
Aerial
If you want to transport goods urgently, this is the recommended mode of transport. It is the most expensive mode of transport, but due to its security and speed, it is widely used for the transport of luxury goods or pharmaceutical products.
Maritime
It is the most popular mode for long-distance transport. In fact, more than 90 % of the volume of freight transport operations that take place internationally use the maritime mode. Despite being the slowest, it is the cheapest.
At In Side Logistics, for example, our services include the transport and assembly of bulky goods, full load transport and container transport. Based on the requirements and needs of our customers, we provide advice on the perfect means of transport.
Factors to take into account in choosing the best transport
The following is a review of the most decisive factors in the choice of one of the above modes of transport or a combination of them.
Characteristics of the goods
Issues such as the volume of the cargo to be transported, its weight or fragility, have a considerable influence on logistics approaches in general. Even more so when medium and long distance movements are involved. The fragility of the goods must also be assessed.
Distance between origin and destination
This factor has been alluded to on numerous occasions throughout this text. Although it is true that some circuits allow several different modes as a solution to transport needs, points such as the proximity of the delivery date, the company's cost optimisation policy and the number of product units to be moved must be included in the analysis.
Cost
Every organisation tries to reduce logistics costs, and this is a basic area of improvement that should govern the planning and selection of the mode of transport. However, this decision must be aligned with the company's strategy. For example, if we seek to prioritise safety or improve delivery lead times, we could choose a different mode that would directly affect an increase in costs.
Delivery date.
The time requirements for delivery also motivate a decision in one direction or the other. For example, goods that have to cross the Atlantic can be transported on a container ship or by air: the delivery date will determine whether the company organising the transport chooses a cheaper alternative or not.
In short, the choice of the best transport, whether of goods or otherwise, depends on a large number of factors, the lack of foresight of which can mean higher costs for shipments or, worse still, an undermining of the organisation's reputation in the eyes of its customers. It is therefore advisable to enlist the services of a logistics consultancy before making a hasty decision. However, there are 3 keys to avoid making the wrong choice when outsourcing your logistics management.
At In Side Logistics we have been advising our clients for 15 years on how to improve their supply chain and logistics strategy to enhance their business development. If you want to know how we can help you, contact specialists to add value to your business.
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