Firstly, exactly what is transloading? Transloading is a required service that helps facilitate intermodal transportation for shipper and producers throughout the nation. Although rail is frequently the most cost effective and efficient method to transport products cross countries, there are a few limitations. A lot of seriously, railroads just reach a lot of places. Possibilities are, your distribution center or storage facility isn’t really situated next to a rail yard or industrial spur. For the most parts, you’ll have to move your load to a truck and hit the road. That’s where transloading comes in.
How Transloading Works
The product in question is packed onto a rail automobile, which then travels to the closest rail station to its next destination. When the freight automobile reaches the station, it’s moved (or spotted) to the transload location, where it can easily be accessed by the trucks that will take the product on the second leg of its journey. Next, a transload group is available in. Using forklifts, cranes or other lifting tools, the freight is thoroughly moved off of the rail automobile. Sometimes, consumers will engage short-term on-site storage if they can not accept the products at the time. Usually, however, the freight is moved straight onto a truck and sent to its last destination. Obviously, the transloading cycle also function in reverse, where truckloads are filled onto rail cars and trucks for long run transport.
Why Transloading Is Smart
Shipping via rail usually uses significant cost savings compared to shipping via truck. Although your product will most likely need to see a tractor trailer at some time, the time/distance took a trip on a highway will be significantly less. Additionally, if you transload from a rail-car straight to a truck, you can bypass the intermediary storage facility entirely. Not only does this increase efficiency and reduce expenses; it also decreases the threat of product damage.
Does your intermodal shipping require the aid of an experienced transload partner? By dealing with FTS Transloading, you benefit from direct rail access. If you wish to optimize your logistics spend, give FTS a call today.