Freight 101

Freight serves as the essential movement of commercial cargo across global supply chains, utilizing ocean, air, ground, and rail transportation. Ocean freight remains the most common and cost-effective method for intercontinental shipping, despite current challenges like port congestion and limited container availability. Air freight provides unmatched speed for time-sensitive or urgent shipments, though it carries significantly higher costs. Ground transportation, including Less-than-Truckload (LTL) and Full-Truckload (FTL) services, acts as the backbone of domestic distribution, while rail offers an environmentally friendly alternative for heavy or long-haul cargo. Effective logistics management requires balancing transit time, budget, and service quality, often through intermodal strategies that coordinate multiple carriers to optimize efficiency. Paul Van Wijk, Manager of Freight and Warehousing at Buckland, highlights these fundamental operational models to help businesses navigate complex global trade requirements and mitigate current capacity constraints.