The freight market may finally be rebounding from its multi-year slump. Mark Montague, an industry rate analyst for DAT Solutions, states that “The robust supply of van and refrigerated truckload freight in May and June, combined with higher spot market rates and load-to-truck ratios, are signs that the freight recession is over.” The July 4th […]
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How Shipping Lead Time Impacts Freight Rates and Service
You may have heard your logistics partner, truck broker say that providing more notice days or shipping lead time could help lower costs. But how? To put it simply, the more time a third-party logistics provider (3PL) has to book a shipment, the more leverage they have to: Negotiate freight rates Find savings or efficiency […]
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Transportation Solutions for Refrigerated Freight
Would you ever ship dry, non-perishable goods on a temperature controlled trailer? Most often, the answer would be no. Temperature-controlled trucks can present higher costs and lower capacity than traditional vehicles. Reefers are 10-20% more expensive and cold chain as a whole can be as much as 50% more expensive. Note: Temperature controlled vehicles, including […]
Read MoreTransportation Solutions for Refrigerated Freight
Would you ever ship dry, non-perishable goods via refrigerated freight solutions on a temperature controlled trailer? Most often, the answer would be no. Temperature-controlled trucks can present higher costs and lower capacity than traditional vehicles. Reefers are 10-20% more expensive and cold chain as a whole can be as much as 50% more expensive. Note: […]
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Freight Misclassification and Avoiding Accessorial Charges
The most avoidable reason for accessorial charges on less-than-truckload (LTL) freight is the inaccuracy of information included with a shipment and the subsequent need for freight reclassification. Too often, freight brokers ask too few questions and send carriers incomplete order details. And when a carrier suspects that the weight or classification of your freight is […]
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Control of Your Inbound Transportation Charges
Inbound transportation charges – fees related to the delivery of goods into a business – are often overlooked. Why? Unfortunately, when product is shipped, the freight cost can be buried in a supplier invoice, combined with the cost of goods purchased. Combining costs in this way may be simpler to manage from an administrative perspective, […]
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7 Must-Listen Supply Chain Podcasts
Navigating the deluge of e-newsletters and online articles about transportation and logistics can be tough. Listening to podcasts is a comparable alternative. Accessible almost anywhere – just listen on your phone or Bluetooth radio – podcasts are popular among transportation professionals who are constantly on the move. Leading logistics magazines, supply chain research groups, and independent […]
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Latest Technologies in the Shipping Industry: Autonomous Trucks, API, Uber, and Drones
It’s an exciting time for technology in transportation. The problem is that sometimes many of the most interesting ideas aren’t necessarily the ones that drive immediate change. This is not to argue that new logistics technology in any form is not a great thing – it is. The point is to have more realistic expectations […]
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Trucking Rates 2017: Q2 Update
Everyone predicted a rise in freight rates for 2017 (including Zipline). But the spike has yet to hit. So, where do market pressures and transportation pricing currently stand? Transportation Impacts from 2017 Produce Season Produce season impacts all shippers, regardless of whether they are in the market for fresh fruits and vegetables. When crops are […]
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How Shippers Can Make Freight More Appealing
Some freight lanes are more difficult than others when booking carriers. For example, an individual in charge of transportation might find it difficult to find a willing driver. Multiple phone calls and vetting could still result in no pickup or delivery. Even if a driver is secured, it could be at a very high cost […]
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LTL Freight Consolidation and Its Benefits to Shippers
There is a core principle behind shipping costs; as volume goes up, per unit shipping costs go down. In practical terms, this means it is often to shippers’ advantage to combine shipments (consolidate) whenever possible to get a higher total volume, which will, in turn, lower overall transportation expenditures. Benefits of Freight Consolidation While saving […]
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Transportation Delays: How to Keep Freight Moving in Bad Weather
Mother Nature can undoubtedly have dramatic impacts on freight transportation. Inclement weather can force shutdowns or transportation delays, and when unheeded, cause severe accidents. In 2017, transportation has already been impacted by various weather-related challenges. February brought soaking storms. Western rail segments and roadways experienced delays and outages from washed-out tracks, landslides, floods, and the […]
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