Freight and goods transport solutions play an important role in international logistics. Last year, sales in Germany alone were 330 billion euros, a 16% increase from 2019. Trucks were the most important means of transport. In addition to road freight transport, there is also rail freight transport, air freight and sea freight.
Which freight transportation solution is best for your business depends on the volume of goods to be shipped, the speed of shipping, the freight costs, the distance and the flexibility of delivery required. Some freight routes prove to be more sustainable, but require more time. Other means of transport reduce freight transport costs, but use more CO₂.
In this article, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of the four logistics solutions, address shipping cost optimization, and show you how you can efficiently improve your supply chain.
Rail freight transport: Transporting freight by train
Anyone who wants to move freight by train not only uses the most sustainable, but also the less frequently used freight transport. There are various reasons for this. On the one hand, the rail network is often still unreliable and not sufficiently developed. On the other hand, rail freight transport is suitable for container transport, but not for smaller loads such as pallets.
Advantages of rail freight transport
Rail freight transport in Germany is currently used 19% of the time. Nevertheless, it only contributes to 1% of CO₂ emissions in the logistics sector. The biggest advantage is the sustainability of this means of transport.
Another advantage of rail freight is the ability to transport large loads (also called bulk loads) in containers. Freight shipping costs are more economical when transporting containers based on the large quantity.
Rail freight is also safer than road freight because trains use their own rail network. This results in 40% fewer accidents.
At a glance
- Sustainability, low CO2 emissions
- Cost-effective for large container loads
- Safety through fewer accidents
Disadvantages of rail freight transport
Since trains are tied to a strict schedule, this type of freight transport offers less flexibility. In addition, the entire schedule can be thrown out of whack if a train is cancelled or there are problems with the tracks. In other words, if you want to adhere to strict schedules, it would be better to use a different logistics solution.
In addition, trains can only run where the rail network is sufficiently developed. For transport to smaller towns, truck transport must always be used in addition to the train, which affects the time of transport and the freight shipping costs. For cross-border freight transport, the exchange of the locomotive and the registration of the train in each country are also reflected in the budget and schedule.
Road freight transport: transporting freight by truck transport
Road freight transport is the most frequently used means of transport in Germany. The share of freight moved by truck transport was 72.1% in 2023.
Advantages of road freight transport
The biggest advantage of trucks as a means of transport is flexibility. A truck can leave at any time, even on Sundays and public holidays, and deliver deliveries to the most remote places. Compared to trains, trucks can also deliver smaller loads, starting from a pallet. Logistics companies mostly have their own fleet of vehicles, so that additional trucks are available even in the event of a breakdown.
Road freight is also suitable for cross-border freight transport. One technologically supported route planning makes it possible to avoid traffic jams and choose new routes in real time should unforeseen events occur on the route. This means that time goals can often be met.
In addition, transport by truck is often more cost-effective domestically and within Europe.
At a glance:
- Flexibility, temporally and geographically
- Cost-effective, even for smaller pallet loads
- GPS tracking and monitoring of goods transport
- speed
Disadvantages of road freight transport
The disadvantages of transporting road freight: Traffic jams can occur, goods can get lost, or accidents can occur. Unforeseen events that interrupt the supply chain occur much more often on the road than on other transport routes.
That’s why freight forwarders and logistics service providers have to go through one Transport-Management-System, which tracks goods via GPS, plans routes efficiently, and effectively manages loading times, keeps an overview and acts quickly if problems arise.
In addition, there are toll fees on international routes, which increase the costs of transport. However, these are lower than for international rail routes.
Advantages and disadvantages of air freight
Air freight is the faster and cheaper means of transport overseas if the volume of the goods does not exceed 0.5 m3 / < 100 kg. The transport only takes a few days. The disadvantage, however, is that CO₂ emissions are higher.
Advantages and disadvantages of sea freight
Sea freight is the more sustainable means of transport for large loads of freight due to high capacity utilisation and low CO₂ emissions. A container ship only leaves the port when it is completely full. The duration of the transport is significantly longer and is between 38 and 45 days.
How you can work with Amazon Freight for your freight and goods transportation
Amazon Freight is a leading freight company in Europe. We offer the latest technology, such as GPS tracking of goods, optimal route planning and effective goods management, to get your freight from A to B safely and quickly. Get involved today by creating your free shipper account, or write us an email at: freight-eu-interest@amazon.com.
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FAQs
What is the most sustainable solution for freight transport?
Rail freight is considered the most sustainable form of freight transportation, as it only contributes to 0.5% of CO₂ emissions in logistics. In comparison, road freight contributes 35.5% of CO2 emissions, air freight 1.4% and shipping 1%. Around one fifth of freight is currently transported by train in Germany.
In long-distance transport, sea freight is the most sustainable logistics solution, although only large loads of freight can be transported here.
What is the most flexible solution for freight transportation?
Freight forwarding is the most flexible solution for freight transport. The forwarding company takes care of everything that is necessary for the efficient transport of goods from A to B. Intermodal transport is often used here, especially for the transport of goods from overseas. This means that the freight is delivered to its destination via various means of transport, such as planes and trucks.
A freight forwarding company has an extensive transportation network on land, sea and air, which offers greater flexibility in logistics strategy. In addition to transport planning, shipping processing, transport optimization, warehouse logistics, goods storage, freight handling, loading safety and cold chain, the forwarding company also regulates insurance fees, customs clearance, freight fees and matters relating to freight transport law.
What is the fastest solution for freight transportation?
The fastest solution for transporting freight over land is truck transport. Since trucks are not tied to fixed timetables, they can leave at any time and can also reach small towns where there is no rail network.
The fastest solution for long-distance freight transport is air freight, but only for smaller quantities of up to 0.5 m³ / 100 kg. If the goods arrive at an airport and need to be transported further, the truck is the best means of transport for onward transport.