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Freight

Freight Networks is your one stop shop when you need to learn about the freight industry and obtain quotes from various freight companies around the world.

Speak to several freight companies to ensure that you have been given a competitive rate. Make sure you find a reliable, efficient company to transport your items. Begin your search here by entering a few details on our convenient form and you'll soon receive up to 5 free quotes from our esteemed freight partners.

Freight is also called cargo and it means any goods that are transported via road, rail, air or water. This term does not apply to personal shipments that one individual sends to another individual. It must be commercial in nature (company-to-company shipments or company-to-individual shipments). The transportation method you choose will depend upon what items you will ship, but most likely, you will be using an ocean freight company. The international shipping industry accounts for 90% of world trade, so nearly everything you come into contact with in your average day has been on a freight vessel. Ocean vessels can move full container loads (FCL), less than a container load (LCL) and dry or liquid bulk cargo. One container or several containers can be picked up from your warehouse, factory or port. Some companies can do the packing for you; others require you to prepare everything in advance. When more than one transportation method is used, this is known as intermodalism. The idea to load containers from one transport mode to another without disturbing the cargo inside dates back to the 18th century.

 

This revolutionary idea has now made it possible to smoothly transfer containers between rail, road, sea, ocean and air. Not only has this simplified the whole process, it has also made it faster and more efficient. This also means that all containers must be uniform in size, thus the TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) and FEUs (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit) were born. Since the early 1960s, containers have been constructed according to strict guidelines and vessels, trucks, trains, planes and related equipment such as gantry cranes must also adhere to the International Organisation for Standardisation's requirements. Perhaps you will enlist the help of a freight forwarder to move your goods. This is someone who acts as an agent to ensure safe and timely deliveries. This person will manage the whole process for you, including documentation and insurance. The most important document is the bill of lading (known as the air waybill in the air freight industry). This formal contract specifies who the consignor and consignee is, as well as all the charges involved. Note that it is not a document of title to the goods.

Cargo shipping companies and freight forwarders should be bonded, insured, and licensed by their home country's maritime authority. Be cautious when selecting your consignor because some companies might boast that they have a license and include this claim on their websites, even if this is not the case. It's wise for you to do a thorough check on a business or individual before signing any documents authorising the transport of your goods. Be sure that you have all the details of your shipment ready so that when speaking with freight companies, they can provide you with an accurate quote. Speak to several to ensure that you have been given a competitive rate.

Compare Free Quotes
In The Freight Industry
from up to 5 professional companies
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