“Business as usual” an expression that echoes when you pay more for your freight than you should… One example of freight that tends to be more expensive (and more regulated) is the cost of transporting oversized loads. However, there are certain strategies that can be used to circumvent these factors and reduce the costs associated with transporting heavy loads.
Read this publication for some suggestions that can help your business.
For the global transport of oversized loads such as:
- Machines
- Construction equipment
And heavy … such as:
- Stone
- Tiles
- Metal
- Forged parts
- Castings
- Bottled water
Freight cost management can be quite complex, so sometimes you have to be more creative.
- Adjusting Packaging
The type of pallet chosen, the way the goods have been loaded onto the pallet or even the packaging of the products can make all the difference. Sometimes a few centimeters are enough to pack goods differently. This saves space and reduces costs.
- Avoid Peak Season
You should know the market so that you can plan your production for the off-season and avoid shipping when freight costs are high. With the exception of perishable goods, shipping a few days before or after peak season can result in significant savings.
- Extend Delivery Times
Planning the supply chain and letting the logistics provider know in advance when your goods will arrive at their destination allows them to coordinate their resources and reduce the cost of collecting, preparing, loading and transporting the goods.
- Transforming Large Equipment into Containerized Cargo
In some cases, it can be much more expensive to use an unconventional shipping container than it is to dismantle and reassemble a piece of equipment. If you are shipping a backhoe loader, you can save up to 50% by shipping it disassembled in a standard container.
- Establishing a Relationship with the Logistics Operator
As opposed to sporadic, one-off shipments, you can create strategic advantages by establishing a long-term transport relationship. Better rates and prices may be available to the logistics operator.
- Provide Accurate Informations to the Logistics Operator
Imagine that you tell your logistics operator that the dimensions of your load are 3.05 m high and 2.80 m wide, and when the truck comes to load it, finds out that the cargo is actually 3.25 m high and 3.05 m wide… in these situations you have to fill in all the paperwork, causing delays and wastage. Did you know that this happens more often than you think?
Sources:
iContainers. (2022). 3 Critical Tips to reduce cost when transporting heavy loads. Consulted on October 4, 2023, at: https://www.icontainers.com/us/2022/03/07/tips-reduce-costs-transporting-heavy-loads/?utm_source=ln&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=trc
Ice Global Transport. (2020). 15 Ways to Reduce Costs for Oversized and Heavy Freight Shipping. Consulted on October 4, 2023, at: https://www.icetransport.com/blog/15-ways-reduce-costs-for-heavy-freight-shipping
IDLogistics. (n.d.). 13 Strategies to Reduce Freight Costs . Accessed on October 4, 2023, at: https://www.kanelogistics.com/13-strategies-to-reduce-freight-costs
Sea Rates Blog. (2022). How to Get Started with 3 Critical Tips to Reduce Cost When Transporting Heavy Loads in 2022. Consulted on October 4, 2023, at: https://www.searates.com/pt/blog/post/how-to-get-started-with-3-critical-tips-to-reduce-cost-when-transporting-heavy-loads-in-2022
