Have you ever thought about how FTL can impact the success of your logistics operation, especially in the transportation of perishable products? Efficient cargo management has a direct impact on costs, delivery times and product quality.
For those responsible for the distribution of perishable foods, such as logistics or supply chain managers, it is essential to understand the transportation options available.
Among the main modalities, two stand out: FTL and LTL.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between them, their pros and cons, and help you understand which one might be the most suitable for your operation. Check it out!
What is FTL in logistics?
FTL means Full Truck Load.
As the name suggests, this involves transporting a load that takes up all the space on the truck, without sharing it with other goods. In other words, the client’s cargo is the only one to be transported during the route.
For companies that need to ship perishable food products (meat, vegetables, fruit and the like), exclusive truck transportation is advantageous, since it ensures that the food is delivered quickly and without risk of contamination from other items.
Advantages of FTL transportation
- direct, non-stop delivery — because the truck is exclusive, there are no interruptions involved in loading or unloading other goods. This reduces transportation time.
- greater cargo control — the logistics manager has greater control over the transportation, which is essential when dealing with sensitive products such as perishable food.
- lower risk of damage — the cargo is not mixed with other products, which reduces the risk of damage or contamination.
- lower risk of loss — less downtime and less third-party involvement result in a lower chance of problems such as theft or misplacement.
What is LTL?
LTL means Less than Truck Load. Unlike FTL, LTL is used to transport smaller loads that don’t take up all of the truck’s space.
LTL transportation can also be an interesting alternative for perishable foods (which don’t require very large volumes).
Advantages of LTL transportation
- lower cost — as the load is shared between different clients, the cost of transportation per unit is significantly reduced.
- ideal for smaller volumes — for companies that don’t have large volumes of goods, LTL is a cost-effective and efficient solution.
- greater flexibility — companies can adjust the transportation according to demand, without the need to guarantee a complete volume for a truck.
FTL and LTL: an overview of the main differences between the forms of cargo transportation
Cost
FTL tends to be more expensive as the truck is exclusive, while LTL offers a cheaper solution by splitting the costs between different clients.
Delivery time
FTL transportation is faster, since the truck makes no additional stops. LTL, on the other hand, can take longer due to space sharing and intermediate stops.
Flexibility
LTL provides greater flexibility for companies with smaller volumes, as it is not necessary to fill an entire truck, while FTL requires a minimum amount of cargo.
Which one is the best transportation model: FTL or LTL?
The answer depends on your operation’s specific needs.
If you are dealing with a large volume of cargo, FTL may be the better choice. On the other hand, if your company works with smaller volumes and needs to reduce costs, LTL may be more advantageous.
Remember: if the focus is on transporting perishable products efficiently, it is also essential to consider refrigeration needs and the swiftness of transportation.
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We offer innovative solutions that combine technology and expertise to ensure that your perishable products are delivered with the highest quality and on time (in both FTL and LTL mode).
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