What Are Freight Transportation Services? A Complete Guide for Shippers

Freight trucks on the highway

If you’re new to the world of transportation, then this article is for you. We will explain what freight transport is and the different types you can use. After that, all you’ll need to do is find a transportation company that fits your needs. 

At EDC Transportation, our freight transportation services in El Paso include 24/7 dispatch, expedited shipping, and cross-border handling. If you’re new to the business of transportation, then we can help you figure out what you need. To hear more about what we offer, call us today at (915) 208-6455

In a Nutshell

Freight (cargo) transportation is when a carrier transports manufactured goods, whether they be raw or perishable, to their next or final destination. There are various types of freight transportation services available, depending on your target location. There is air, rail, sea, and land freight. Read below for a breakdown of each. 

Air

Air freight is the fastest freight transportation there is. If your goods are time sensitive, then air is the way to go; however, this is only beneficial for small loads. Air freight is one of the more expensive options, but you can cut that cost the earlier you schedule. It’s recommended to schedule a minimum of two weeks out. 

Rail

Rail freight isn’t as common anymore, unlike other freight transportation services; however, it still has its uses. If you need to transport goods across long distances, but only have a limited budget, trains are the best option. If you need large/bulky products or hazardous materials transported, freight is the safest, most convenient option due to its fewer restrictions. 

Sea

Unfortunately, trains can’t cross oceans, so if you need something shipped overseas, sea freight is your most cost-effective option. Unlike air freight, there are few restrictions on what can be transported, so long as your product isn’t time sensitive. There are two different types of sea freight depending on your shipping needs.

  • LCL (Less than Container Load)- This is for smaller cargo loads or multiple orders that have different destinations. 
    • Faster, but less cost-effective
  • FCL (Full Container Load)- This is for cargo that requires a 20-40 foot long container. 
    • Slower, but more cost-effective

It should be noted that transportation by sea is only a viable solution for special shipments. If you have regular shipments that have any kind of time constraint, consider air freight. 

Land

For domestic shipping, land (truck) freight is the most common method. This is a simple, hassle-free, and cost-friendly method of transportation, regardless of whether you have time-sensitive goods or not. One of the pros of land freight is that trucks can drive through multiple areas without an issue and are always operated by experienced drivers. Similar to sea freight, there is FTL (full truck load) and LTL (less than truck load)

Freight Transportation Services From El Paso

At EDC Transportation, our freight transportation services in El Paso, TX, are reliable, consistent, and rooted in quality customer service. If you have any questions, call us today at (915) 208-6455!