Optimized load planning is fundamental to improving your service and revenue.

Could your company be wasting money on a logistics strategy that doesn’t work? Efficient load planning is more critical than ever and a key performance area for any supply chain. Ideally, you want to be able to move your product to your customers while maintaining desired service levels in the most efficient way. Logistics optimization strategies such as improving your load planning processes can be an effective way to reduce freight costs by as much as 10 to 40 percent.

While this sounds great, load planning can be a very manual and time-consuming process. A transportation management system (TMS), specifically one that includes a freight optimization tool, is one way to analyze and take your load planning process from hours of manual work to minutes through automation and technology.

Start saving time and get your free supply chain analysis with Trinity Logistics.

COMMON LOAD PLANNING TMS MISCONCEPTIONS

Before we dive into how a TMS can help you with your load planning, perhaps you’ve thought of one of these common misconceptions.

A TMS Optimizes on Its Own

First off, not all TMS platforms are the same. Some may not even offer load planning tools. It’s also important to see what kind of support is offered, as having an expert available can help provide you with more insight than the software alone.

The Optimized Load Plan Will Be Perfect Every Time

Technology is a great tool to make your logistics processes more efficient. The word to remember here is “tool”. Even a TMS with a freight optimization tool can overlook certain opportunities for freight consolidation, so it’s important to always treat your transportation technology as an aid to your load planning process and not as a full replacement for it.  

BENEFITS OF OPTIMIZED LOAD PLANNING

HOW A TMS HELPS OPTIMIZE YOUR LOAD PLANNING

A TMS is a powerful tool for optimizing your load planning. A TMS provides you visibility into your entire logistics process. This allows you to monitor performance and create efficient plans. It helps you with your forecasting and planning so you can find cost-saving options. A TMS can help give you a clearer picture of your entire freight network by housing all your transportation information in one system.

Now, there is a lot of transportation management software out there. To gain the most benefit for your load planning process, you’ll want to make sure you select one with a freight optimization tool.

New to transportation management software? Download our FREE Guide to Transportation Management Software.

WHY WOULD I NEED A FREIGHT OPTIMIZATION TOOL?

Anyone who has gone through the process of figuring out how to reduce shipping costs for each of their loads knows how much of a pain it can truly be. The process starts with tracking down all your open shipments, deciding what loads should be moved together, and then building, rating, and tendering those loads manually. For those who have not implemented a TMS, this is usually done with paper and pencil or an Excel spreadsheet.

Many factors go into optimizing shipments, including the number of pallets and weight of each shipment (taking trailer size into consideration), delivery availability for locations, and special services needed.

Perhaps one of the most important dynamics of building a shipment is delivery deadlines. It’s imperative to take note of whether a truck can deliver to single or multiple locations and arrive on time, factoring in the drivers’ hours of service (HOS) and loading and unloading times.

In sum, it’s a like a complex jigsaw puzzle made up of your freight, and trying to figure it out alone can be difficult.

Learn how Trinity's TMS helped Pompeian increase efficiency and reduce costs.

HOW CAN A FREIGHT OPTIMIZATION TOOL HELP ME?

The freight optimization tool in a TMS will take your list of open shipments and consolidate them into loads based on the criteria specified by you. The software’s criteria encompass ship and delivery date flexibility, maximum weight per shipment, the maximum number of pieces, the number of picks and drops, driver hours, and more.

You’re also able to choose which carriers you want to include for consideration. Once these parameters are set and the optimizer has been run, you also have the capability to auto-create loads in the TMS based on the optimizer’s results.

The optimizer tool accomplishes in minutes what usually takes a person hours to calculate and configure, with the likelihood of saving money in the meantime. The top benefits here translate to both time and money saved. Gone are the days of sitting at your desk for hours with a calculator and a headache.

In summary, our TMS (and other similar products) allow you to enter all your shipments, whether it’s 20 or 1000, and will automatically calculate the most efficient way to route your shipments by combining smaller shipments into multi-drop truckloads, keeping other shipments separate, and configuring the way it all gets routed across the country. The results of the freight optimization tool include the reported cost savings and a detailed report of the loads proposed.

START OPTIMIZING YOUR LOAD PLANNING WITH TRINITY’S TMS

Logistics optimization never ends. It is a continuous process only limited by your time, technology, and commitment to improvement. And ensuring your company has access to a best-in-class TMS is the key to starting that process and finding efficiencies.

Discover how Trinity’s TMS, including its freight optimization tool, can improve your logistics processes, like load planning, helping you offer better customer service and reduce costs while increasing revenue.

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Stone materials are very versatile and often used in industries like construction, interior decorating, and landscaping. However, transporting stone can be a difficult task for many reasons. Stone materials can be heavy and bulky and yet surprisingly fragile at times and easy to chip or crack. Just as there are various uses of stone, there are just as many challenges to shipping it. If you’re a shipper handling stone material, bookmark this guide for all you need to know about stone transport. 

WHAT’S INCLUDED

TYPES OF STONE MATERIALS

When arranging stone transport, you need to consider the type and shape of the stone material you are shipping. Stone materials can be in the shape of slabs, blocks, bricks, tiles, or crushed stone. Each shape and type of stone material requires different handling to be shipped safely and securely.

USES FOR STONE MATERIALS

Stone materials are used across many industries. Stone is commonly used as:

With such a wide variety of use, it’s no surprise that stone transport often occurs across long distances.

PACKING FOR STONE TRANSPORT

Proper packing and packaging materials are very important for stone transport. Packaging stone materials the wrong way can lead to damaged product upon arrival.

Smaller stone materials, like tile, can be packed in crates with foam material for cushioning to prevent any scraping or breaking. The crate shouldn’t be too large, with minimal extra space to limit the movement of your stone product. Make sure not to stack the stone material too high or load them vertically. Using short stacks or horizontal loading will help with structural integrity.

For larger stone materials, like granite slabs, palletizing is another option, and the stone product should be wrapped around and between with cushioning to prevent scraping or chipping.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR STONE TRANSPORT

Certain pieces of stone materials will need more equipment than others.

For smaller stone material shipments, a 53’ dry van can work for most, especially those shipping less-than-truckload (LTL) and packaged in crates. Stone shipments can be loaded using a loading dock and forklift. If a loading dock isn’t available, a lift gate can be used, but this additional service costs extra and makes it more difficult to find an available truck. Generally, palletized stone shipments are not recommended for LTL unless there are plenty of packing materials wrapping the product.

If you’re shipping large pieces of stone, like granite slabs, you’re going to need to find a flatbed with an A-frame to securely hold it. An A-frame is a piece of wood or metal shaped into the letter “A” and is needed to transport stone slabs to prevent damage. Stone slabs are prone to breaking or cracking when moved horizontally, so the A-frame helps prevent any damage.

Example of an A-frame for transporting granite stone material

Before the granite slab or other stone material can be loaded onto the truck, the A-frame must be placed on the flatbed with a forklift or crane. When it’s ready to move, make sure that the material is secure and strapped in. Moving straps help prevent the stone material from shifting during transportation, preventing damage, and reducing any risk.

Don’t make the straps too tight because doing so could cause damage upon delivery. Everything should be checked thoroughly before transport to make sure a costly incident doesn’t happen when moving over the road.

Intermodal containers can also be an option for stone transport. Not only do these containers reduce the need for any excessive handling and thus, the chance for damage, but many popular bulk stone products used in the U.S. are mined from locations far away from the country, making this an ideal mode for global stone supply chains. When the stone material is ready to head to its destination, drayage carriers can transport the container or freight can be loaded onto a flatbed for its final stretch of travel.

OVERSIZED STONE TRANSPORT

One of the other main challenges with stone transport is it can be heavy, and sometimes oversized, like those granite slabs we mentioned earlier. Often with stone shipments, you’ll find that you need to get an oversize or overweight permit to travel on state highways.

Most often, the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) issues these permits, but sometimes they can be handled by another department, depending on the state. These permits are only good for a short window and are the only time your shipment can be on the road. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you have all your ducks in a row, so your shipment stays on schedule, and you don’t end up with a costly violation fee.

What Qualifies as Oversize?

Each state has different regulations on its specifics, but most shipments will be considered oversized if it exceeds 80,000 pounds gross weight or if dimensions exceed:

Overweight and oversized shipments can be more comprehensive as, besides the permits, you may need oversized banners, flashing lights, civilian escorts, police escorts, route surveys, bucket trucks, or even a road closure. It’s important that you always take the time to double-check that you’re in compliance with DOT rules and regulations for your stone transport.

Looking for one place to find all you need to know about oversized shipment regulations?

Download our free over-dimensional shipping guide!

HOW TO SHIP COMMON STONE MATERIALS

Shipping Crushed Stone

Crushed stone can easily be transported using a container. A freight truck pulling an empty container can be used and loaded on site, or the crushed stone can be packed into a shipping container and then loaded onto the truck with the help of a crane.

It’s important to note that unless covered, the top of the container will still be exposed during transportation. If uncovered and depending on the kind of crushed stone, sometimes some stone material can fly out of the container during transportation, resulting in damages, injuries, or loss of product. For this reason, it’s often best to have your motor carrier cover and secure the top of the container with a tarp.

Shipping Stone Bricks and Tiles 

Unlike crushed stone, shipping bricks or tiles need more careful handling. Palletizing or banding into cubes is the best way to transport these stone materials. However, you can’t pack them the same as other products due to their ease of chipping or cracking during transit.

When packing stone bricks or tiles, it’s best to stack them with layers of cardboard or foam between the layers of the product, cushioning them and preventing any scraping, scratching, or other damage. When banding into cubes, usually the last two cubed loads are placed on rubber mats to further prevent them from shifting. 

Additionally, it’s recommended to avoid shipping these products via less-than-truckload (LTL). These stone materials are brittle and susceptible to damage from other products, but also hazardous to other items should they come loose during shipping. To keep your stone products safe, it’s always best to ship full truckload whenever possible.

Shipping Stone Slabs, Like Granite

While nearly indestructible once installed, slabs of granite and similar stone material are quite fragile during transit. Any incorrect handling can result in damage. Like glass, these stone materials will likely crack if laid vertically. Transporting heavy slabs of stone, like granite transportation, requires specialized equipment to keep them vertical during transit.

You’ll need an A-frame to hold up the heavy slabs of stone and make sure they are secured with durable straps. When properly supported, slabs of stone can be sturdy and resistant to cracking.

Shipping Irregularly Shaped Stone Products 

Let’s say you need to transport an irregularly shaped stone product, like statues or headstones. Certain products might have sharp corners that can easily chip or have smooth surfaces you don’t want to be scratched, like memorials. It can be tough to figure out how to ship these unusual stone materials.

The best option to transport these stone products safely is to order custom packaging for them, like a sturdy box with Styrofoam pieces sculpted to fit around it so your product is secured from any movement during transit.

As with shipping tile, it’s best to ship full truckload instead of LTL, so your product isn’t handled more than it should be and isn’t at risk from other products.

SHIPPING STONE COSTS

Stone transport can be more expensive to ship due to its heaviness and fragility. Any time you have a shipment that requires more attention to detail or more specialized equipment, it’s going to be more costly.

If you typically ship large volumes of stone materials often, a Request For Proposal (RFP) or contract with a carrier or logistics company can be one way to find savings versus working with the spot market.

FINDING THE RIGHT CARRIER FOR YOUR STONE TRANSPORT

Because of how delicate transporting your stone materials can be, you want to make sure the motor carrier you select is experienced. This is where cutting costs here isn’t always worth it. You also want to make sure your provider has enough insurance and that your commodity is covered should something happen.

TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF YOUR STONE TRANSPORT

Stone transport can be one of the most challenging types of freight to arrange. However, you can choose to simplify your shipments by working with an experienced third-party logistics (3PL) company like Trinity Logistics.

Working with Trinity saves you time from finding and vetting carriers, figuring out what equipment is needed, and gives you full visibility of your product’s transit, from pick up to delivery. Experience our best-in-class customer service and sit back, knowing that we’ll get your product safely delivered.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TRINITY'S SHIPPING SOLUTIONS

Trinity Logistics is proud to announce its recognition as a Top Freight Broker by Transport Topics for the 21st consecutive year, ranked 17. This honor serves as a testament to the company’s continued commitment to delivering outstanding People-Centric service in the logistics industry.

Transport Topics is a leading publication in the transportation business and is well-known for its annual comprehensive rankings of freight brokerage firms. Companies are ranked based on gross revenue and services offered. 

Trinity Logistics is thrilled to have made spot #17 on the Top Freight Brokers List for 2023 as this accolade reflects Trinity’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to customers and helping them meet their unique logistics needs. With a core focus on exceeding expectations, the company has built a reputation for its integrity, reliability, and customer service.

“This recognition continues to showcase our ability to serve our shippers and carriers with People-Centric Freight Solutions®,” says Sarah Ruffcorn, President of Trinity Logistics. “Team Trinity works hard to continually strengthen our shipper and carrier relationships, providing value to them in simplifying their processes and providing an excellent Trinity experience. Earning this recognition continues to show we are rising to the ongoing supply chain challenges and are serving our customers well. Thank you, Transport Topics, for the recognition. We’re honored to have made it another year in the top 20’s – #17!”  

Trinity’s parent company, Burris Logistics, has ranked number 35 on Transport Topics’ Top 100 Logistics Companies List and number 4 on their Top Refrigerated Warehousing List. 

To see the complete list, visit Transport Topics.  

About Trinity Logistics

Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering People-Centric Freight Solutions®. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve.   

For the past 40 years, we’ve been arranging freight for businesses of all sizes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), warehousing, intermodal, drayage, expedited, international, and technology solutions.  

We are currently recognized as a Top 3PL and Cold Storage Provider by Food Logistics, a Top Freight Brokerage Firm by Transport Topics, and as an Inbound Logistics Top 100 3PL.  

Work with a Top 3PL – Get a Freight Quote

Refrigerated trucking can be a complex, but rewarding job.

You might be transporting anything from fresh produce, frozen food, or important medicines like biologics. But, no matter what it is, the items you’re hauling are vital to many and there’s great pride that comes with that.

Refrigerated trucking is not only more specialized than dry freight hauling but offers more earning potential, and there are certain times of the year during which you can count on higher freight volumes to keep your company profitable.

Whether you’re new to refrigerated trucking or a veteran, it’s important your company knows how to properly transport temperature-controlled products, from pick-up through delivery. At Trinity Logistics, we sometimes see claims on temperature-controlled shipments, and we want to help you avoid any costly mistakes with a few tips specific to refrigerated trucking. So, we’ve crafted this guide to help you prepare for your hauling your next temperature-controlled shipment.‍

MOTOR CARRIER REFRIGERATED TRUCKING RESPONSIBILITIES

The purpose of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is to prevent foodborne diseases, and FSMA rules contain essential requirements for shippers, loaders, receivers, and carriers like you to follow with refrigerated trucking. FSMA requires those transporting food to follow best practices for sanitary transportation, such as proper personnel training, maintaining shipment records, and following shipper instructions to keep food properly temperature-controlled during transit.

FSMA Responsibilities for Motor Carriers

Keeping Your Equipment Clean and Operable

You must keep your refrigerated trailer clean between loads and make sure it is running efficiently to maintain any required temperatures to keep food safe while transporting.

Your Equipment Must Meet the Shipper’s Needs

Shippers are responsible for communicating any food safety requirements to providers they work with, such as specifying temperature and pre-cooling requirements in writing. It is your responsibility to adhere to those requirements specified by the shipper.

Keeping Records

When it comes to FSMA, verbal confirmations don’t stand. Shippers and providers you work with require records of previous cargo hauled, equipment cleaning, inspection, and temperature records. This includes recording if your reefer fails or containers are compromised, allowing contaminants in, and showing via documentation that you took action to correct the issue. Keeping thorough documentation will help you, in the long run, should you face any potential claims. It’s recommended to keep all records for 12 months, minimum.

Training Employees

Under FSMA, motor carriers must train all drivers and transportation personnel on their role, FSMA rules, the awareness of potential food safety problems like cross-contamination that can occur during transportation, and sanitary transportation practices. It’s also important to keep records of this training and hold refresher training from time to time.

PREPARING FOR REFRIGERATED TRUCKING AND TEMP-CONTROLLED TRANSIT

*This blog content provides suggestions only and is not meant to take the place of your own company procedures.*

Cleaning Your Refrigerated Trailer

1. If the previous receiver cleaned your trailer, request documentation from them to share with the shipper for your upcoming temperature-controlled shipment. It’s important to keep any trailer washout records and receipts to provide to shippers upon request.

2. Open your refrigerated trailer and remove any items that shouldn’t get wet.

3. Sweep out any debris.

4. Prepare a bucket of food-grade detergent and water.

5. Scrub all interior surfaces with a clean cloth and the detergent mix.

6. Use a hose to spray down the inside, including the ceiling and walls. Pay special attention to any cracks and crevices.

7. Keep doors to the trailer open, allowing the inside of the trailer to air dry.

8. If the outside of the truck and your trailer is dirty, wash down the exterior as well.

Pre-trip

1. Review shipping instructions and confirm the cargo is at the required temperature before it is loaded. Refrigerated trailers are meant to maintain temperature, not change it. For fresh produce, verifying temperature usually involves pulping product with a thermometer or probe dial. 

2. Run your refrigerated trailer for at least 20 minutes in “high speed cool” mode to remove any residual heat. Pre-cooling may take more than one hour depending on factors such as equipment and ambient temperatures. Therefore, be aware of the temperature requirements in advance to ensure equipment is at the proper temperature before you arrive at the shipper and the loading process starts.

3. Perform an automatic pre-trip test to confirm that your refrigerated trailer is running properly and confirm that it passes the test. Keep a record of this. If your auto pre-trip test fails, refer to your company’s prescribed procedures or contact your maintenance provider for repair.

4. It’s time to set your refrigerated trailer to the required temperature specified by the shipper. Verify the set temperature after adjusting it to its requirement to confirm it is set correctly. Next, confirm that the unit is set to the correct date and time. If this is not done and the shipper requests a reefer download after delivery, the data will be inaccurate. Some drivers will take a picture of the reefer unit dashboard to document settings before they leave the shipper.

5. Confirm that you have the correct mode of operation selected on the reefer unit prior to loading. Again, refer to your shipment instructions for this. Often, the shipper will require perishables to be hauled in continuous mode as opposed to cycle sentry or stop-start cycle.

6. Allow your refrigerated unit adequate time to pre-cool before loading.

7. Document all pre-trip cleaning, inspecting, and pre-cooling to share with the shipper upon request.

Loading

1. Ensure you witness the loading process, visually confirming product temperature, count, and quality match your shipment tender. If a carrier cannot verify loading conditions or discrepancies exist, the carrier notates the issue on the bill of lading and request the shipper to sign this. 


2. Carriers are responsible for the final blocking and bracing of product, so make sure items are not over-stacked or loaded in a way that impedes airflow or circulation. As a carrier, if you are not comfortable with the load condition, you have the right to refuse the shipment. 

3. Once loaded and final blocking and bracing are completed, immediately close the doors to maintain temperature. Once again, verify that the correct cycle and temperature are set. If a trailer seal is required, its presence should be documented on the bill of lading by the shipper. 


During Transit

1. Make use of the strip curtains as this helps keep temperature-controlled air in and any outside air out.

2. Limit the number of door openings throughout transit to keep temperature-controlled air in and outside air out. Only allow doors to be opened by verified shippers or receivers. 

3. Keeping proper airflow is critical. Even with adequate running equipment, poor air distribution can cause spoilage. Verify all sides of the cargo have proper airflow before your trip and any time you make a stop.

PULPING FOR REFRIGERATED PRODUCE SHIPMENTS

Pulping is an essential task when hauling produce with your refrigerated trucking. Pulping is the act of taking the product’s temperature before and upon delivering the shipment.

How to Pulp Produce

For produce that is unbagged, one must insert a pulp thermometer into a piece of produce, inserting for three to four minutes to get the most accurate reading.

If the produce is bagged, like salad mixes, fold the bag in half and place the probe between the two sides, with the produce as close to the thermometer as possible.


Why Pulping is Important

Before loading, it is the shipper’s responsibility to pulp the product, and should be done in the presence of the driver. However, it is the carrier’s responsibility to confirm the proper temperature of the product before allowing it to be loaded on the truck, so there may be the case you need to pulp the product.

Pulping temperatures should be recorded on the shipment’s bill of lading and signed by both the shipper and driver. This can help protect both the shipper and motor carrier from claims if the product arrives at its destination off temperature.

Throughout transit, it is the carrier’s responsibility to monitor the refrigerated trailer temperature, usually with some sort of sensor technology providing real-time information, or with older refrigerated trailers, a temperature download that is available upon delivery.

Upon delivery, it is the receiver’s responsibility to pulp the product for a temperature read and to determine if the shipment will be accepted. 

Under FSMA, be prepared to provide a record of temperatures in transit via reefer download. Failure of a carrier to provide a record of unit temperatures in transit will prevent a carrier from disputing temperature deviations should there be a claim. 

TEMP VARIANCES – HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

One thing you may be asking with your refrigerated trucking is, how much is too much when it comes to temperature variances? Well, that can depend on several factors.

One factor is the type of product. For example, there are some perishable products that are very sensitive to temperature variances, where even a two-degree difference could reduce the shelf life by 50 percent.

Another cause could be the location where the temperature was taken in the trailer or the recording device’s accuracy. Or if a shipment has multiple stops versus one that goes right to the destination.

Temperature variances are usually expected, so it’s important to determine when a variation is tolerable versus when it places the product at risk for spoilage.

It’s also important to note the amount of time the product has been off temperature. For example, frozen goods might be subjected to some temperature variance without much effect on the shipment, whereas refrigerated goods often spoil at a quicker rate.

When it comes to claims due to temperature variances, there simply is no one-size-fits-all for processing these. Shipment claims due to temperature variances are treated on a case-by-case basis depending on the above-mentioned factors. Verifying temperature prior to loading, maintaining proper temperature in transit, and the ability to provide a reefer download documenting transit conditions are ways for carriers to prevent temperature damage.

WHAT IF THERE’S AN ISSUE AT DELIVERY?

First and foremost, be sure to communicate your transportation status and any issues to your point of contact in real time. If there are any overage, shortage, or damage issues at delivery, the receiver should document it on your bill of lading (BOL). If there is a reported issue and you are unclear about the next steps, contact your insurance agent to report the issue and request direction. 

If the product is produce, a USDA inspection may be requested to document the condition of the product. 

Whenever a temperature problem is reported, get a reefer download for the trailer used for the shipment to document the temperature conditions for the time the cargo was on your truck. 

Your cargo policy will not pay for temperature damage if it is caused by an incorrect reefer setpoint or driver negligence. However, if your refrigerated trailer experiences issues during transit, your cargo insurance may step in to pay a cargo claim related to any temperature damage. However, be prepared to provide supporting documentation. To be proactive in the prevention of any issues caused by your equipment, it’s important to perform regular maintenance according to your cargo insurance requirements and company guidelines. 

REFRIGERATED TRUCKING – SHIPPER RED FLAGS TO LOOK FOR

There are a few shipper red flags to look out for before accepting a refrigerated trucking shipment or having your trailer loaded.

Mixed temperature shipments can be a red flag. Sometimes shippers will want to try to ship products together that need vastly different temperature requirements to reduce costs, like fresh and frozen products. These types of shipments are “high risk” and not recommended. Whether a shipper is using a bulkhead or not, to keep your company safe, it’s recommended to avoid shipments that combine frozen, fresh, or dry loads on the same truck.

Now, let’s say you’ve accepted a refrigerated trucking shipment but when you arrive at the shipper you notice one of these things:

If you notice any of these things, do not get loaded and immediately contact the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).

EASILY FIND THE TEMP-CONTROLLED SHIPMENTS YOU’RE LOOKING FOR

Now that you’re prepared to handle the complexities of refrigerated trucking, it’s time to find available shipments. Here’s where Trinity’s Carrier Portal is beneficial.

Our online load board allows you to search for available shipments, filtering by equipment, lanes, and more. Many of our available shipments even allow digital freight matching, providing you the opportunity to Quote Now or Book Now, saving you time from calling or emailing in. Additionally, new shipments get directed to our Carrier Portal first, meaning you’ll have access to exclusive Trinity loads before they get posted to the public load boards!

Find my next refrigerated trucking shipment

*This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.*

Stay up to date on the latest information on conditions impacting the freight market, curated by Trinity Logistics through our Freightwaves Sonar subscription.

SIMPLE SUPPLY AND DEMAND

We probably all remember at some point in either our high school or college career hearing about supply and demand. A pretty simple concept that applies to goods, commodities, services, and yes, transportation. A great indicator of that is shown in Figure 1.1 which shows the growth in for-hire carriers (blue line) and the outbound tender volume index (green) since mid-2018. While this is not a 1:1 comparison, it clearly shows, especially in the past three years, how supply and demand have been the driver of transportation costs. 

From roughly mid-2020 until the early part of 2022, demand was high compared to prior years, and the supply side (carriers) was trying to catch up. As a result, carriers were able to dictate rates in the market. As the supply side began to accelerate, the over-heated freight market began to normalize in late 2021/early 2022, retreating to levels seen prior to the pandemic. The rate pendulum once again swings to the shipper’s side. Some have argued based on this over-capacity situation that it could take years before there is once again equilibrium. Agree, it will take, unfortunately, attrition on the carrier side, combined with a rebound on the freight activity side to find that balance. However, taking years to do so is a bit aggressive. Most likely, mid-2024 will see supply and demand as it relates to transportation reaching a better balance.

Figure 1.1

THE GAP

We looked at this last month, but the lag between spot and contract rates remains at historic levels. Typically, you will see a gap of maybe 10 cents or 15 cents per mile, but for the last five months, that gap has remained above the $0.50 per mile mark, currently trending at $0.86 per mile higher on the contract versus the spot side. 

As you can see in Figure 1.2, that increase in the contract-to-spot gap has been in lockstep with the decreasing outbound tender rejection rate. As carriers with contract pricing are finding fewer freight opportunities versus 2021 and 2022, they are taking almost every shipment tendered their way. On average, for every 100 contracted shipments tendered to carriers, they accept 97 of those shipments. For shippers, it will be a balance between finding cost savings with spot capacity and fulfilling the requirements they have with higher-priced contracted carriers.

Figure 1.2

BLAH IMPORT CONDITIONS

On the international side, particularly imports, we continue to see declining volumes and blank sailings. While the ports were inundated in late 2020 through the first half of 2022, that volume has stalled. Stalled to the point where the largest U.S. port of LA/LB encountered almost 100 ships at one point waiting to offload to now having “plenty of good parking spots available.”  

Figure 1.3 clearly demonstrates the decline in consumer demand, along with near-shoring efforts, and the year-over-year impact. Expect, for lack of a better word, blah import conditions throughout 2023 with a rebound on the horizon for ’24 and ’25.

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WHEN WILL FREIGHT VOLUMES START TO IMPROVE?

That is the $64,000 question. Since the start of the year, freight volumes have been stable but certainly suppressed as compared to the last few years (Figure 1.1). In addition, the rate at which carriers reject shipment tenders is almost nil, with almost 97 percent of the freight tenders being nabbed by carriers with contract pricing.  

We will certainly see the seasonal freight patterns in 2023, with produce and outdoor products providing a boost in the coming weeks. And the end-of-year push for back-to-school and Christmas should also lend a boost, although that end-of-year buying seems to be more spread throughout the year. Many in the industry got accustomed to an over-heated, reactionary market over the past few years. With that as the backdrop, the one word I can think of to describe how the market will feel is “blah” in 2023.

Figure 1.1

Contract rates continue to outpace the spot market. While carriers with submitted contract rates are right-sizing rates in response to the market, expenses that have been exaggerated over the past few years, such as driver pay and benefits, maintenance costs, and insurance premiums, are keeping contract rates well above spot.  

As one can see in Figure 1.2, as rejection rates have declined, meaning less freight being pushed to the spot market, it has a mirror effect on the spread between contract and spot rates, currently sitting at $0.84 less per mile on the spot side. Shippers will continue to fulfill their contractual obligations with regards to tendered volume, but being able to utilize the spot market does bring cost savings to shippers.

Figure 1.2

Finally, activity at the ports continues to decline, especially on the import side. As seen in Figure 1.3, just a year ago, ports were handling 10-20 percent more inbound volume, that change today is a decrease from a year ago. Inventories have been replenished over the past year and a half, and consumer demand for goods is less. This trend is most likely to continue through the year, driving the spot container cost down and subduing activity around U.S. ports.

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These common mistakes when shipping hazardous materials can end up costing your business a lot of money.

Shipping hazardous materials have very little room for mistakes but very large consequences if done incorrectly. Mistakes when shipping hazmat materials can cause injury, damage to property, or endanger lives, so hazmat shipping should always be handled with tremendous caution.

Safe hazmat shipping is possible but requires diligence, communication, and attention to detail.

These are the most common mistakes companies make when shipping hazardous materials.

DEFINITION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/DANGEROUS GOODS

First, let’s clarify what hazardous materials or dangerous goods are.

Many think of hazardous materials as things like explosives, gasoline, or acids. Yet, many common goods are hazardous when shipped, such as aerosol sprays, nail polish, alcohol, paint, dry ice, or cosmetics. Any substance or material that can pose a risk to health, safety, or property is a hazardous material or dangerous good.

SHIPPING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS VIOLATIONS

Hazmat safety regulations exist to keep people, property, and the environment safe. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) handle these regulations.

One reason you don’t want to make any hazardous shipping mistakes? Violations. Currently, hazmat regulation penalties are:

HAZARDOUS SHIPPING MISTAKE EXAMPLES

Many companies have made hazardous shipping mistakes. Here are some true scenarios. 

Example 1: Online Retailer

Fined $91,000

An online retailer shipped a package by air containing flammable liquid adhesive. The motor carrier discovered the product leaking from its container. The online retailer offered the shipment, not including the required shipping papers or emergency response information. The freight’s packaging was incorrect and not marked or labeled as required. Nor were the company’s employees trained in handling hazmat packages for shipment by air.

Example 2: Chemical Company

Fined $325,000

On two separate occasions, a chemical company shipped undeclared hazardous material that is illegal to transport by air. The chemical company allegedly shipped pints of acrolein, which can become explosive when combined with air. Neither shipment had the required shipping papers or emergency response information. Additionally, one of the shipments was not marked, labeled, or packaged as required. Employee training was also found to be non-compliant.

Example 3: Flooring Company

Fined $63,000

A flooring company shipped a package of hazardous freight. The motor carrier found a package leaking. The flooring company did not provide the required shipping papers or emergency response information, nor did they mark, label, or package the shipment as required. Additionally, employees were not trained to handle hazardous materials.

COMMON HAZMAT SHIPPING MISTAKES

Failing to Label and Declare Goods Properly

Failing to label and declare hazardous goods is one of the most common shipping mistakes. Transparency is critical at every level to ship hazardous materials without mistakes.

All hazardous freight must have the proper UN hazmat labels or hazmat placards to identify their contents. Shippers must also disclose the information on the shipper’s declaration form.

Failing to properly mark, label, and declare your hazardous materials keeps employees from knowing what kind of materials they are handling, which hazard class they belong to, and what kind of precautionary measures they need to take. In the end, improper labeling and declaration can be an endangerment.

Not Accounting for Differences in Modes of Transportation

Regulations on certain hazardous goods and packaging methods can vary based on which mode they’re shipped with.

Take dry ice as an example. It has different regulations when shipped by ground than when by air. Another example is magnetized material. It’s only subjected to regulation restrictions when transported by air due to the interference it can cause to aircraft instruments.

That’s why it’s important to confirm the mode of transportation when shipping hazardous materials before packing, marking, labeling, and documenting everything. This way, you and your logistics provider know the exact shipping requirements needed.

Lack of Familiarity with Specific Regulations for Each Substance

The USDOT provides detailed tables of hazardous materials and their specific regulations for each classification. This includes specific information such as what packaging to use or transportation modes to ship. It’s your company’s responsibility to be knowledgeable and familiar with those regulations. Even still, ignorance of these regulations is a common mistake when shipping hazardous materials.

Assuming Goods Aren’t Hazardous

There are many materials that the average person wouldn’t think of as hazardous. Assuming goods aren’t hazardous materials when they are is a common mistake that happens when employees aren’t properly trained on hazmat and dangerous goods. As a result, they lack the required knowledge to differentiate what is and isn’t hazardous. This risks transporting hazardous material without being packaged, labeled, and communicated in the correct manner.

This mistake has the potential to cause catastrophic consequences depending on the product, the transportation mode, and several other factors. Ensure your employees are trained and when in doubt, don’t assume. Take the extra time to research the material if needed and follow hazardous protocol when applicable.

Some common items that are assumed to be non-hazardous are:

Letting Untrained Employees Handle Hazardous Materials

What’s the easiest and most important way to avoid hazardous material shipping mistakes? Make sure your employees are trained in hazmat shipping.

Many of these mistakes happen due to untrained employees handling hazmat shipments. Therefore, employees need to undergo formal training and show competence under supervision before handling hazardous goods on their own. Additionally, employees should frequently be reeducated to stay keen on hazmat shipping requirements.

Not Following Exact Instructions for Packaging by the Manufacturer

Hazardous material packaging is designed to meet regulatory requirements. Many hazmat packaging manufacturers will include detailed instructions on how to use their packaging for safe and compliant shipping. It’s important that employees have access to these instructions and understand them completely.

Thinking Any Mistakes Will be Overlooked

It can be easy to think your business won’t get caught with a hazmat shipping violation. Yet, as noted by the examples above, it can and does happen. As the U.S. government remains vigilant in cracking down on hazmat shipping violations, fines continue to increase, making it even more financially smart to stay compliant. Not to mention that those violations can cause harm to the environment or people. No matter what, risking a hazmat shipping violation is never worth it.

AVOID HAZARDOUS SHIPPING MISTAKES WITH AN EXPERT

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, but when it comes to shipping hazardous materials, it’s crucial to do all you can to reduce them. Now that you know the most common mistakes when shipping hazmat, you can be more aware of avoiding them.

An easy way to help stay compliant when shipping hazardous materials is partnering with an expert knowledgeable in its regulations, like Trinity Logistics. We’ve been in the business of arranging hazardous shipments in several modes for over 40 years. We’ve also been Responsible Care certified since 2009.

If you’re looking for a reliable partner to help you with shipping your hazardous materials, consider Trinity Logistics. We can help take the guesswork out of keeping your hazmat shipments compliant.

Get help with my hazmat shipments

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SOMEWHAT HO-HUM

The current landscape for over-the-road freight looks like what it was a month ago. Freight volumes are lower year-over-year (YoY) but seem to have found a floor.  

If anything, the flat lining of volume (Figure 1.1) we are seeing is eerily like what we saw in the early part of 2020. And that is not just relative to freight volumes. 

Back in ’20, carriers were snatching up tenders as soon as they were offered, with rejection levels hovering in the five percent range. Right now, we are just below that five percent mark. It’s anticipated that freight flows will follow their seasonal patterns, albeit at reduced volumes compared to what we saw in 2021 and most of 2022. Spot rates continue to trend lower than contract rates, although that gap continues to shrink. It’s also anticipated that contract rates will continue to slide while spot rates should be pretty near their floor.  

graph of outbound tender volume index
Figure 1.1

DECLINING PORT ACTIVITY 

Imports will continue to weaken over the next several months. While some ports have seen slight increases in YoY volume, that increase is not indicative of an overall volume surge. It’s due to the shifting of where the freight is entering the U.S.  

So, while ports like Houston (up 5.2 percent) and Baltimore (up four percent) are robust with above-average activity, major entry points like Los Angeles (down 30 percent), Oakland (down 58 percent) and Seattle (down 41 percent) are feeling the lack of volume. An opportunity should be seen with export activity (Figure 1.2).  While the U.S. dollar losing value is not good for imports, it has the opposite effect on export activity.

ocean shipments index
Figure 2.1

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Whether owning or renting, heavy equipment is a big investment in your business – and you don’t want to take unnecessary risks that can lead to loss or damage during transportation. Heavy equipment shipping can be challenging, but it’s not as complicated as it appears when you have the right provider. To help you ship your heavy equipment safely, here’s some additional information you may need. 

What We Cover in This Article

What is Heavy Equipment Shipping?

Heavy equipment can be a broad term, but it usually consists of a piece of large machinery or equipment of at least 40,000 pounds or more. Due to its size and weight heavy equipment is often loaded and unloaded by a crane if it cannot be driven on/off the trailer. Often, these kinds of shipments can be oversized and/or overweight, requiring permits, escorts, route surveys, and an experienced motor carrier with specialized trailers to transport your equipment safely and effectively.

Common Types of Heavy Equipment

Heavy Equipment Shipping Rules and Regulations

When it comes to heavy equipment shipping, you should have knowledge of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, regulations, and restrictions. Overlooking DOT regulations and restrictions surrounding OD/OW transportation can be both costly and time-consuming.

Heavy equipment shipping is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the U.S. DOT, and state governments. Each state varies its rules, regulations, and restrictions for permitting OD/OW travel. Be sure to double-check state regulations before transporting your equipment. Or work with an expert in the field of over-dimensional shipping. 

Looking for one place to find all you need to know about oversized shipment regulations?

Download our free over-dimensional shipping guide!

Overweight and oversized shipments can be more comprehensive as, besides the permits, you may need oversized banners, flashing lights, civilian escorts, police escorts, route surveys, bucket trucks, or even a road closure. It’s important that you always take the time to double-check that you’re in compliance with DOT rules and regulations when transporting your heavy equipment.

Need help with your oversized shipping? We have experts ready to help you.

Request a Shipping Quote with Trinity logistics.

Trailers for Heavy Equipment Shipping

Heavy equipment shipping is made possible by the various types of flatbed and specialized trailers available.

Flatbed Trailers/Open-Deck Trailers

Flatbed trailers allow for easy loading and unloading and can carry up to 48,000 pounds. When choosing your flatbed carrier, make sure to confirm that the trailer will be able to haul the weight of your equipment. Trailer dimensions are approximate: 48’ L x 102’’ W x 58’’ H   

White truck with flatbed trailer pulling large steel pipe
Gray and green truck flatbed transporting a long steel beam

There are other open-deck trailers to consider, like step-decks or drop-deck trailers. They can accommodate around 46,500 pounds and can legally haul taller products, up to 10’6’’ tall, and can be fitted with permanent or removable ramps to drive equipment on and off the trailer. Trailer dimensions range approximate:  48’ or 53’ L x 102’’ W x 36’’ to 42’’ H.   

Black truck with drop deck trailer hauling heavy equipment shipping
White trailer with a step deck trailer transporting a huge piece of pipe

Specialized Trailers for Heavy Haul Trucking

Due to the size, some heavy equipment may need a specialized trailer to accommodate its transportation.

Double-drops and Removable gooseneck (RGN) trailers are ideal for heavier machinery and equipment that needs easy loading and unloading or drive-on drive-off capabilities, and they are great for freight exceeding the legal height and weight maximums.

White truck with a double drop hauling heavy equipment shipping
Blue trailer with a removable gooseneck hauling heavy equipment shipping
Yellow truck with a removable gooseneck hauling heavy equipment shipping
Black truck with a double drop trailer hauling heavy equipment shipping

What Should I Know About My Heavy Equipment Shipping?

You’re ready to get started with heavy equipment shipping. What should you be prepared to answer when looking for a provider?

Know the Dimensions of Your Heavy Equipment

Size matters. The equipment’s dimensions and weight will help determine what kind of trailer the carrier will need to transport your freight and if any permits, escorts, or other accessorial charges are required that will ultimately determine the total shipping costs. 

Breaking Down or Shipping in One Piece?

Does your equipment need to be taken apart to ship and then reconstructed upon delivery? Can your equipment be crated or boxed? Is it more effective to break down your equipment into smaller components for shipping? If shipping in one piece, what are the things that need to be done before shipping, such as having any fluids discharged or batteries removed? These are all important questions you should know so all parties involved know what is to be expected throughout the entire shipping process.

What Equipment is Needed to Load and Unload Your Freight?

This is very important information that is needed for your shipment. Do you need a ramp, forklift, or crane to load and unload your equipment? Do you have the required equipment ready to unload and load your freight?  Or can the equipment be driven on and off of the trailer?

Know What is Covered by Your Provider’s Insurance

It’s important you know what is covered by your provider’s insurance, so you know whether you will need to buy any supplementary insurance to make sure your heavy equipment is fully protected in case of any issues.

How Much Does Heavy Equipment Shipping Cost?

While we’d love to give you exact numbers, there can be quite a few factors involved that make each quote unique, such as:

Size of Your Heavy Equipment

The larger or more oddly shaped your piece of equipment means it may need specialized trailers, permits, or routing requirements, likely raising your shipping price.

Time of Delivery

If you need your equipment delivered at a specific time, this will likely raise the shipping price as well.

Pick-up and Delivery Location

The further distance your equipment must travel, the higher it will cost you. Additionally, more congestion (think cities) in or around your pick-up or delivery location can increase your shipping costs.

Time of the Year

Adverse weather conditions, such as during the snowy and icy winter months or hurricane season, can affect your pricing if certain routes are shut off, making your equipment’s journey longer. There’s also flatbed peak shipping season, which ranges from April to October, which increases flatbed demand – and rates.

Current Fuel Rates

The more fuel costs motor carriers, the higher your shipping cost will be.

Permit or Licenses Required 

When transporting heavy equipment, oversize or overweight permits may be required. Costs can vary by state and province, and some states may take longer to issue permits due to each state’s unique regulations and infrastructure. 

Escorts Required

Escorts will increase your shipping costs as they need to be paid too! When freight is over 12ft wide or tall, it’s a good idea to check routing to see if escort cars are required. 

Preparing Heavy Equipment for Shipping 

You’ve got your quote and provider selected. What’s next? Here are the steps you should take to ensure your equipment remains safe and secure during shipping.

Have Documentation Ready

You’ll want to ensure all required documentation and permits are sorted and ready before pick up. Make sure to confirm with your shipping provider what permits are required and that they are in place to limit the chance of any shipping delays or fines.

Planning Transportation Routes, If Needed

Planning your route is necessary if your shipment is considered Oversized. Depending on the dimensions of your equipment, you may need to have your provider avoid bridges with low clearances, sharp turns, or even roads of a particular width.

Check the Condition of Your Heavy Equipment

Just as car rental services do before lending their vehicles, inspect your equipment, and take photos before shipping, so, should anything happen during the transportation process, you have it documented.

Make Sure Any Loose Parts or Tools are secured

You don’t want to lose anything important during the transportation of your equipment!

Cover Any Important Parts

Your equipment will likely be hauled through open air, facing the wind and other elements. Covering any vulnerable or important parts is a great way to ensure that your equipment stays safe and functional.

Check Your Equipment’s Manual

The manufacturer’s manual is a great resource for getting your equipment ready for shipping. It will help you determine exactly what steps you need to take before pick-up.

Ask Your Provider How You Can Help

If you’re unsure, ask your provider how you can help make your equipment’s transportation a smooth process. Based on their experience and expertise, they can give you tips and advice and will appreciate you taking this extra step to work together as a team so your equipment can be delivered safely.

Shipping Heavy Equipment Internationally

What if you need to ship your heavy equipment internationally? There can be many challenges to overcome, which you may find incredibly difficult to do alone. In this case, it makes the most sense to hire an expert to help you. While it can be costly, it’s the most stress-free way to safely transport your heavy equipment internationally.

Here are some tips to ensure your international heavy equipment shipping is successful.

  1. Make sure the provider you select to help you with your international shipping is experienced, has relevant credentials, and has a good reputation.
  2. Just like shipping inland, know the dimensions and weight of your heavy equipment to inform your provider.
  3. Determine the best shipping method for you. Your expert provider can help you figure this out. Your options are
    • Roll on/Roll off (RoRo) is popular and involves driving the machinery onto a flatbed style truck at the pick-up location and rolling it off after it arrives at its destination. RoRo is speedy, efficient, and often less costly than your other shipping methods.
    • Flat rack containers have walls or support posts on the ends, allowing loading from the top or sides. Flat racks mean your equipment is exposed to open air and so this method can be less costly, but then your equipment is exposed to the elements throughout its transport.
    • Lift on/lift off (LoLo) is a method of loading and unloading containerized cargo over the top of a shipping vessel using cranes or derricks. LoLo ships usually have onboard cranes and can often carry a larger container capacity.
  4. Be prepared for the costs. With international shipping, you have extra costs such as taxes, tariffs, and customs checks.

Choosing the Right Heavy Equipment Shipping Provider is Important

You have many options for selecting a provider to help you with your heavy equipment shipping needs. Though too many options can feel overwhelming. How do you know you’re making the best choice for your company and freight?

Here are some qualities you should consider when looking for a provider.

Extensive Experience in Heavy Equipment Shipping

You’ll want to look for a company that has been in business for a long time, has the experience transporting the heavy equipment you’re shipping, and has a good reputation. This is a great opportunity to ask for references and contact them for their feedback.

Offers Flexible Shipping Solutions for Your Unique Needs

Do you need help with prepping your equipment for shipping, obtaining any necessary permits, or any other specialized services? Make sure the provider you’re considering has all the solutions you may need.

Carries the Proper Insurance

You want to make sure your heavy equipment is protected should anything happen during the shipping process. Verify that the provider you’re considering has the appropriate insurance to cover your equipment and enough liability insurance should anything else occur. 

Trinity can help with Your Heavy Equipment Shipping 

It’s easy to see that heavy equipment shipping has the potential to be a complicated process. If you’re looking for a provider that can help simplify your shipping, saving you time and stress,  please consider working with Trinity Logistics.

Trinity Logistics is an industry-leading third-party logistics company with expert knowledge, ready to help you with your oversized, heavy haul, or any other flatbed shipments. We do this by providing our best-in-class People-Centric service and building strong relationships with skilled and experienced motor carriers.

We have the experience you’re looking for and the reliable carrier relationships you need to move your heavy equipment safely, securely, and on time.

Learn how Trinity can help you with your shipping

It’s no secret that capacity gets tighter and freight rates higher for all shippers during produce season. While the increased freight demand during produce season affects all markets, produce shippers and those with other temperature-controlled products are hit the hardest. Yet, produce shippers that make use of these suggested tips have a better chance of finding capacity and keeping their costs manageable. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide for temperature suggestions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

When is Produce Season?

Produce season is impactful because it puts pressure on freight shipping rates, which affects shippers both inside and outside the produce sector. To simplify, it’s the rise in crop volumes and heightened demand for trucks to transport these crops that impact capacity during this season. These factors lead to an increase in rates, not only for the shippers who need trucks with temperature control but for a majority of shippers across other modes and regions as well. 


It’s vital for produce shippers and all others impacted by produce season to know exactly when the spike in shipping begins. Generally, produce season begins sometime around February and runs through early fall. The main regional areas shipping increased produce are Florida and the East Coast, Texas and surrounding states, and California. 

Texas Produce Season

The most impactful time is from March through June however, produce can be found year-round coming from over the border out of Mexico. In Arizona and New Mexico, there is a push for produce that usually occurs in October or November.

Florida Produce Season

Starting as early as March, southeastern states like Florida begin to see an uptick in produce shipping. As temperatures warm up, produce season creeps its way up the East Coast with northeastern states’ produce shippers slowing down sometime in early fall.

California Produce Season

Like the East Coast, produce season starts in the southern part of the state around March and creeps its way up to the northern region, ending in early fall. 

Shipping refrigerated? Fighting tight capacity and high freight rates? We’re here to help you keep capacity and better manage your freight rate and logistics costs. Watch our video so you can find some tips and tricks to help with your cold chain shipping.

Tips for Produce Shippers During Produce Season

Produce shippers facing challenges with capacity during produce season isn’t new. But there are things produce shippers can do to make shipping during produce season easier. Here are some tips you should consider to make it through this tough season.

Make Your Produce Easy to Work With

When capacity is tight and rates are high, carriers get to pick and choose what load they want. Make your produce shipments more desirable by making the job easy to complete. 

One way to do this is through freight consolidation. Regional consolidation makes freight easier for carriers to work with. Simply put, instead of using a long-haul truck to make many pick-ups or deliveries in a regional area, hire a regional short-haul expert to do that part. They make all the pick-ups and deliver to one spot so that your long-haul carrier can make one easy pick-up and drive onward. Vice versa is that the long-haul carrier would drop off at one regional facility, and then you use the regional carrier to make the many deliveries. 

We’ve found that consolidating the freight this way increases the percentage of on-time delivery, increasing your product’s shelf life and customer satisfaction. 

Make Sure Your Produce is Truck Ready

This goes hand in hand with making your produce easy to work with. Often, produce vendors will work with many packing house facilities. Make sure you confirm with the produce shipper where the truck needs to pick up. It’s never a great start to a shipment when a driver has to search location after location for their pick-up. Not only does the driver get frustrated, but with it being a time-sensitive shipment, you want to make sure there are no hang-ups, so it’s picked up on time, delivered on time, and your product’s shelf life is as long as possible.

Make Sure Your Carriers are Vetted

This may be your most important piece of advice. Make sure your selected carriers are properly vetted. 

What exactly do we mean by that? This means making sure they have reefer breakdown coverage. Or making sure they have the right amount of insurance coverage in case something goes wrong. 

For example, cherries are hard to come by and based on market conditions, their value can change. Does your carrier have that coverage should there be a problem? 

There’s also FSMA compliance to consider now. Does your carrier know how to work with produce shipments? Do they have that experience? Do they carry pulp thermometers in their trucks and understand that process to ensure they are not loading produce that is too hot or too cold, making sure it will be in good shape when it’s delivered? All these factors are something to keep in mind regardless of market conditions. 

When selecting and vetting your carriers, remember there is a big difference between the cheapest truck and the RIGHT truck. 

Find Providers that Run Temp-Controlled Year-Round

Finding and building a relationship with providers that execute year-round temperature-controlled freight across the country can give produce shippers a competitive advantage. By having that relationship, you’ll know and better trust your provider because they have the proven experience and understanding of working with your perishable freight. Additionally, having that reliable relationship can help you keep your costs down during peak produce season.

Make Use of Technology

Making use of transportation management (TMS) technology can help during this season. A TMS can help you with routing decisions by matching freight with the best carriers, lanes, rates, and transit service. In addition, it will allow you to optimize the in-house processes of your transportation network – which can help in both times of disruption and easier times. By selecting the best carriers and optimizing your routes, you’ll not only increase your service levels but reduce your risk. 

Having a best-in-class TMS also provides you with data-driven insight to better manage disruptions, reduce downtime, and effectively plan and budget your logistics spend. By using data analytics, you’ll be able to recognize which carriers are most likely to have the capacity, allowing you to reduce your harvesting to minimal levels. 

Having a TMS on hand gives you a full view of your network and transportation management. You’ll be able to see what’s happening across all markets, ensure proper rates for shipments, find freight consolidation options, and track everything from start to finish. You’ll be better prepared for now and any future disruptions. Not to mention, you’ll also gain an extra layer of security to your supply chain, which is something top of mind for everyone in this industry.

Be the Produce Shipper All the Carriers Want to Work With

There is never a time when you shouldn’t strive to be a shipper of choice. Carriers are in the position of choosing which shippers they want to work with. Produce shippers who provide better experiences for carriers can reap long-term benefits in the form of higher service levels, fewer claims, and better rates. 

To become a shipper that carriers want to work with, it’s important to run efficient and friendly dock operations, reduce driver wait times, provide comfortable breakroom and restroom accommodations, and pay carriers quickly. Let’s break these down further.

Have a Fair Accessorial Schedule

Make sure it is in line with industry standards. You can also leverage your relationships with other carriers, shippers, and 3pls to see how you compare.

Pay Quickly

In business, cash is king, especially for carriers. Favorable payment terms can make a world of a difference to a smaller carrier company or an owner-operator. Anything under 30 days is often ideal.

Tender with Ample Lead Time

This may not always be possible, but the sooner you get a load tender to your selected carrier, the better they can plan their own workload. Providing as much lead time as possible can help you get the best capacity available at the most cost-effective rates. It can also get you more committed freight and keep you out of the spot market. 48 hours or more is ideal. 

Simplify Your Appointment Scheduling Process

Put yourself in your provider’s shoes. What is it like to get an appointment set? Is it a huge effort or is it quick and easy? The easier and more user-friendly the process is, the more carriers will want to work with you.

Have Realistic Transit Times

Whenever possible, schedule pick-ups and deliveries that set carriers up for success. If transit is too tight and a late driver will have to wait hours for the facility to work them in, then the load is less attractive. Whereas if the pick-up and delivery are too far apart and a driver will have to sit around to get unloaded, then the load is also less attractive. Make sure your transit times are reasonable and make sense to keep carriers moving along. They will appreciate it. 

Turn Drivers as Quickly as Possible

The industry standard is two hours or less. Anything over that and your facility is at risk of having a negative reputation among drivers. Depending on your freight and operations, this may not be possible, but it is something important to keep in mind. 

Provide Basic Amenities for Drivers

Access to bathrooms, vending machines, waiting rooms, Wi-Fi, and most importantly, a friendly smile at the dock will go a LONG way.

Look Into Multimodal Solutions

When truckload capacity is tight, using a variety of modes can help mitigate capacity challenges while reducing your cost. Exploring multimodal options can be a great way to diversify risk, add capacity, and protect your freight budget. It can also give you the opportunity to reduce your company’s carbon footprint. 

Measure Carrier Performance

Whether you awarded hundreds of lanes in an RFP event or are a small shipper relying on the spot market, it’s important to have your supply chain driven by data, and tracking carrier performance is a part of that. If you can’t track it, how else can you make improvements?

Be sure to communicate your KPIs to every carrier you work with so they can be crystal clear on your expectations. Regularly evaluate your carrier base. Give them report cards and make sure their performance is not a mystery to you or them. You should also have a process in place for taking action for poor performance when needed. Again, clearly communicate that process to your providers, and be sure to stick with it. Inflationary markets will often show you which providers are serious about being your business partner. 

Consider Working With a 3PL

To gain quick access to capacity, produce shippers should work with a quality third-party logistics company (3PL). 3PLs work by having quality carrier relationships often in a network way larger than you can manage alone. Additionally, working with them gets you access to TMS technology and an expert to help you throughout times of disruption. It allows you easy access to multimodal solutions so you can easily compare rates across modes. Quality 3pls will include proper carrier vetting, so you know you’re working with a qualified carrier. Additionally, 3pls keep tabs on the industry and are well known for their skills in navigating disruptions with ease. 

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

If you found some tips that could better help you, it’s not too late to act. Any improvements that you make now will help you ship better. The faster you act, the more likely you will beat your competition to the punch. Now all this might seem like an overwhelming amount to do, which is why we’d like to offer you our help.

Trinity has over 40 years of experience working through produce season and years of supply chain disruptions. We can help you with capacity through our network of strong carrier relationships available. We can also help you in your journey of being a shipper of choice as we offer carriers Quick Pay options through TriumphPay, available within two days.

Interested in freight consolidation or multimodal options? Our Team of Experts are here to help. We also have best-in-class TMS technology available with customized solutions to fit your needs, not the other way around, and experts to support you in those applications. Most importantly, we offer you a People-Centric approach throughout every step of the process.  

No matter what you need to get through produce season, Trinity Logistics is capable and ready to support your business.

Discover how we help produce shippers succeed Get a Free Freight Quote