Consolidated cargo, or rather its dispatch, is a special form in the forwarding business. Because it is a rather complicated operation and process. We explain how it works, what tasks the forwarder/courier service and recipient face, and for whom it is particularly suitable. What is it – let’s try to figure it out.
Groupage cargo delivery: definition of the term
Groupage cargo transportation is different types of piece goods combined in one delivery. They can be together in a transport unit, or next to each other on a loading bay. Very often, the term “assembly” means the optimization of transportation by combining into one whole different deliveries from different senders and different recipients. Many forwarders offer this as a service. It is on a par with services such as express delivery, handling and storage of dangerous goods. Considered by many to be at the heart of modern transportation and complex logistics.
Delivery of consolidated cargoes in Ukraine – these do not have to be the same type. The word “assembly” refers to a packaging unit with different shipping options. However, in essence, this term defines a different logistical process. Because the goods are heterogeneous and usually do not come from the same sender and do not go to the same buyer. This often involves repackaging, merging or splitting by a logistics company.
Transportation of groupage cargo: the process of transportation
Many people are familiar with the system of parcel centers of service providers. Numerous parcels are combined in these networks, partially temporarily stored and combined to form new deliveries. The goal is to optimize the use of transport and deliver the goods quickly. This is achieved, among other things, due to the full filling of loading capacities by loading various types and, thus, increasing the profitability of one transport route.
Groupage transport: the process can be illustrated with a general example. Various clients in the region hire the firm to supply their clients with what they need. It collects them, groups them and transports them to the next central processing point, the first node network. Alternatively, senders deliver there themselves. As soon as they arrive at their destination, they are officially handed over to the receiving transport company. The general loading and groupage shipments, which were previously combined, are now allowed, i.e. the aggregate loading is broken down into separate shipments. In forwarding logistics, this process is also called transshipment. Because now it is happening in the forwarding warehouse of the forwarding agent-consignee. Only now the parcels are sent on their way to their actual recipients. Because now the receiving forwarder sends individual small shipments to the right people.
The advantage of this system: on the one hand, routes and costs can be kept to a minimum. On the other hand, the flow usually goes in both directions, so that each truck is at least partially loaded on the way back, thus delivering groupage cargo from China. One organization does not necessarily deal with transportation. In other, although rare cases, there may be no movement or only one movement, or, for example, in the case of air transport, there may be more than two intermediate hub networks.
International delivery of groupage cargo: setting the right priorities
Brokerage and logistics company Hals Market, based on many years of experience and professionalism of employees, as well as skillfully using its own and third-party networks and optimizing routes, will help save significant funds and minimize the transport route. This requires professional and error-free planning that ensures all components are delivered at the right time. Accordingly, the destination, the quantity/volume and weight of the goods, and the date must be agreed in such a way as to bring them quickly and efficiently.
Important to know: from a legal point of view, the freight forwarder transports only one batch on the main site, and not several. The main one describes the transportation to the destination. Advantages of LSL cargo: efficient transport routes, optimized use of resources, low, reliable cost, flexible separation, targeted receipt, even of small batches. Groupage logistics also has some drawbacks: a large national network is required, a partial delay in the merger due to insufficient volume of goods, and a propensity for planning errors. Regardless, the pros outweigh the pros. Therefore, they are indispensable in modern transport.
