Choose the right mode of transportation for your cargo!

Different types of goods call for different types of transportation. Selecting a suitable mode of transportation is crucial for any business. Network design is being used in supply chains for effective use of transportation equipment that reduces shipping and logistics costs for the organization. The primary methods of transport are Railways, Roadways, Airways, Waterways, and Pipelines. These should be used in a way where they can help in reducing lead time and costs of transportation.

Choosing the right transportation mode depends on many factors such as the type of consignment, the budget, and the speed at which the delivery needs to be made. Each of these methods comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Key factors to be considered in selecting a mode of transportation are:-

1. Cost/Budget

The budget should always be one of the most important factors to consider while shipping goods. Costs vary based on the type and volume of goods that need to be transported. It is important to keep in mind that the cost of transport can in turn influence the cost of goods.

Businesses need to consider the cost of transportation, keeping other costs such as insurance premiums and finance charges in consideration.

2. Characteristics of goods

The size and weight of the cargo play a crucial role. Land and air transport primarily cater to fragile and smaller shipments. Rail and sea transport are more suitable options for high-volume shipments. For fragile, high-value products, air, and land transport are the best options.

3. Reliability 

The reliability parameters of different modes differ from each other. The urgency by which the cargo needs to be delivered influences the decision. All modes of transport, land, ocean, and air, can be affected by natural hurdles like bad weather, which may cause delays.

3. Safety

Another crucial factor influencing the selection of a mode of transport to use is the security of goods that are in transit. Land transport mode is more preferred to railway transport as the losses are relatively less.

Shipping via sea mode is the riskiest, as it is often more exposed. Transportation through roads can be considered safer than railways in comparison. The safest method of shipping mode is considered to be air transport. Some goods also require special facilities such as refrigeration or special security measures that need to be considered.

4. Characteristics of goods

The size and weight of the cargo play a crucial role. Land and air transport primarily cater to fragile and smaller shipments. Rail and sea transport are more suitable options for high-volume shipments. For fragile, high-value products, air, and land transport are the best options.

5. Flexibility

Road transport is the most flexible mode, as it is not dependent on factors such as flight times, shipping routes, or pre-scheduled timetables. Motor transport can operate day and night, at one’s convenience, and has the added advantage of last-mile delivery.

Different modes of transportation play different roles when it comes to moving goods. Each of them offers benefits that the other might not be able to offer. It is up to the businesses to make a well-informed decision considering all the factors.

Contributed by :-  G V S K Vedant, Sales, Hyderabad, 20Cube Logistics.