Did you know that shipping cost makes or breaks a sale? When starting or growing your business, it’s important to understand the logistics.
Starting an online store, for example, is easy. But without knowing how to ship products, most online stores won’t succeed.
There are many shipping services available, and knowing them all might help you grow your business. We’ll walk you through the common types of shipping.
Different Types of Shipping Methods
Do you have a product that you need to ship? Whether international shipments or domestic, there are a few different shipping methods to choose from. Here’s a quick overview of the most common shipping methods.
Air Shipping
Air shipping is the fastest option, but it’s also the most expensive. If you need your goods to arrive quickly, it’s worth the extra cost
The most common type of air shipping is referred to as general aviation, which includes cargo and passenger flights. General aviation is the largest category of air shipping and includes everything from small package delivery to large freight transport.
There are three main types of general aviation: private, commercial, and military. Private aviation is used for personal or business purposes and includes corporate jets and general aviation aircraft.
Commercial aviation is used for scheduled airline service and includes both passenger and cargo flights. Military aviation is used by the government for national defense and includes both combat and non-combat roles.
Ground Shipping
Ground shipping is slower, but it’s typically cheaper than air shipping. If you’re not in a hurry, it’s a good option.
There are four common types of ground shipping:
- parcel
- intermodal
- less-than-truckload (LTL)
- full truckload (FTL)
Parcel shipping is the most common and typically the most economical method for small shipments. Intermodal shipping is used for larger shipments and involves the use of multiple modes of transportation, such as rail and truck. LTL shipping is used for larger shipments that do not fill an entire truck, while FTL shipping is used for shipments that require an entire truck.
Sea Shipping
Sea shipping is the slowest option, but it’s also the most affordable. If you don’t need your goods to arrive quickly, it’s a great choice.
There are three main types of shipping methods:
- break bulk
- containerization
- roll-on/roll-off
Break bulk shipping involves loading loose, unpackaged items onto a vessel for transport. This method is typically used for large, heavy, or irregularly shaped items.
Containerization involves loading cargo into intermodal containers, which can be stacked and efficiently loaded onto ships, trains, and trucks. Companies like ITG Transport offer this shipping option.
Roll-on/roll-off shipping involves loading vehicles onto a vessel for transport. This method is typically used for large vehicles.
Multi-Modal Shipping
There are four common types of multimodal shipping:
- maritime shipping
- railways
- roadways
- pipelines
Maritime shipping is the most common, as it is responsible for transporting the majority of the world’s goods. Rail shipping is somewhere in between sea and land shipping in terms of speed and cost. Roadways are used to connect different modes of transportation and ship smaller loads.
Choosing the Right Shipping Method Around the World
After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of the different types of shipping methods available. If you need to send a package around the world, be sure to research the best option for your needs to ensure that your package arrives safely and on time.
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