ROAD FREIGHT
Trucking is a vital part of road transport, referring to the movement of goods using trucks as the primary vehicles on highways. It’s known for its high flexibility, maneuverability, and reasonable costs, making it suitable for various scenarios like short-distance deliveries, medium-to-long-haul transport, and cross-border logistics.
Main Types of Trucking
Full Truckload (FTL)
Ideal for large shipments where one customer uses the entire truck. Loaded to capacity, it goes directly to the destination, offering speed and efficiency.
Less Than Truckload (LTL)
Suited for smaller shipments. Multiple shippers share space on one truck, sharing costs. However, this often involves more stops and transfers, leading to longer transit times.
Refrigerated Freight (Reefer)
Uses refrigerated trucks or trailers to move temperature-sensitive goods like perishable foods or pharmaceuticals.
Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Freight
Specialized transport for dangerous goods like chemicals or flammable materials requires strict adherence to safety regulations.
Container Freight
Utilizes standardized shipping containers carried by trucks. Common in international logistics or multimodal transport (e.g., connecting sea or rail with road).
Advantages of Trucking
Maneuverability & Flexibility
Trucks can go door-to-door, reaching destinations directly without transfers. This is especially valuable for inter-city and urban-to-rural logistics.
Route Flexibility & Adaptability
Not restricted to fixed routes like rail or sea, trucks can adjust paths based on need, handling diverse terrains and unexpected situations.
Wide Range of Cargo
Capable of transporting bulk goods, smaller shipments, refrigerated items, hazardous materials, and oversized equipment, meeting various shipper needs.
Shorter Transit Times
Compared to rail or sea freight, road transport is generally faster, particularly for short and medium distances.
Strong Multimodal Link
As a crucial link in the supply chain, trucking seamlessly connects with rail, sea, and air transport, boosting overall logistics efficiency.
Disadvantages of Trucking
Relatively Higher Costs
While cost-effective for short and medium distances, the per-unit cost for long-haul transport is often higher than rail or sea freight.
Weather & Road Condition Vulnerability
Adverse weather (heavy rain, snow), traffic jams, or roadworks can easily cause delays.
Limited Capacity
Restricted by vehicle size and road weight limits, trucks can’t move massive quantities of ultra-heavy cargo like rail or sea vessels can.
Higher Safety Risks
Due to higher accident rates on roads, risks like cargo damage, traffic accidents, and theft are greater compared to rail or air.
Environmental Impact
Traditional diesel trucks emit carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM), contributing significantly to pollution.
Regulatory Restrictions
Many cities impose truck access restrictions (like time bans or zones), and strict overloading regulations can impact efficiency.
FTL (Full Truckload) vs. LTL (Less Than Truckload)
|
Comparison Item
|
FTL (Full Truckload)
|
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
|
|---|---|---|
|
Definition |
A single shipper charters an entire truck to transport the goods |
The cargoes of multiple shippers are combined and transported on one truck |
|
Applicable cargo capacity |
Suitable for large quantities of goods, can fill a truck |
Suitable for small batches of goods, where the quantity of goods from a single shipper is not enough to fill a whole vehicle |
|
Cost |
Higher total costs, but lower unit shipping costs |
The total cost is lower, but the unit price may be higher due to the need for sorting and assembly |
|
Shipping time |
Direct transportation, no need for transfer, fast speed |
Need to collect goods, transfer and distribute, and the transportation time is long |
|
Cargo security |
The goods are exclusively owned by a single owner on the vehicle, so the risk of damage or loss is low |
The goods need to share space with other customers' goods, so the risk of damage or loss is relatively high. |
|
Applicable Scenarios |
Suitable for large-scale cargo transportation, long-distance transportation, and large-scale enterprise supply chains |
Suitable for small batches of goods, short-distance transportation, and logistics for small and medium-sized enterprises |
Truck Shipping from China
China-Europe Truck Freight
In recent years, road freight (trucking) between China and Europe has become an efficient cross-border logistics solution, particularly suited for high-value manufactured goods, e-commerce products, pharmaceuticals, and auto parts that require timely delivery
Fast transit: Faster than sea freight (10–18 days), slightly slower than China-Europe rail but more flexible.
Moderate cost: Cheaper than air freight (about 30–50% lower), but more expensive than rail or sea.
Door-to-door service: No reloading required; goods can be delivered directly across Europe, reducing handling time and risk of damage.
Suitable for high-value/sensitive goods: Such as electronics, luxury items, and cold-chain pharmaceuticals.
Main China-Europe Truck Routes
1. China–Kazakhstan–Russia–Europe (Northern Route)
Via: Horgos / Alashankou Port (Xinjiang) → Kazakhstan → Russia → Poland / Germany
Advantages: Well-established route, fast clearance, suitable for large volumes
Transit time: 13–21 days
2. China–Central Asia–Caspian Sea–Europe (Southern Route)
Via: Kashgar / Horgos (Xinjiang) → Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc.) → Caspian Sea ferry → Azerbaijan → Georgia → Turkey → Europe
Advantages: Bypasses Russia, suitable for shipments affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Transit time: 15–23 days
3. China–Mongolia–Russia–Europe (Mongolia-Russia Route)
Via: Erenhot Port (Inner Mongolia) → Mongolia → Russia → Europe
Advantages: Avoids Kazakhstan, but is highly dependent on Mongolian road conditions
Transit time: 15–20 days
Future Trends
New energy trucks (electric/hydrogen): Reduce carbon emissions, comply with European environmental standards
AI-powered logistics scheduling: Optimize routes and improve efficiency
Growth of multimodal transport: Combine road with rail/sea for greater flexibility
High-Quality International Trucking Services Provided by MLS
International truck transport combines the advantages of efficiency, direct delivery, smooth customs clearance, flexibility, and moderate cost. MLS offers key support, including route planning, customs clearance, risk management, and end-to-end tracking.