3PL refers to the transportation, warehousing and other logistics related services provided by companies employed to assume tasks that were previously performed in-house by the client. Also referred to as Third Party Logistics.
A terminal, used by large common carriers, designed to act as an intermediate sorting point for interregional freight. Freight from various end-of-line terminals is sent to a regional break bulk terminal to be combined into full trailers that the carrier then routes to a subsequent end-of-line terminals. Example: freight destined for Texas from a Binghamton, NY terminal might go to Pittsburgh, PA to be combined with other freight destined for Texas from other Eastern cities.
A terminal used by large common carriers, designed to act as an intermediate sorting point for interregional freight.
A trucking company that provides local (within a town, city, or municipality) pick-up and delivery.
A freight transportation company that serves the general public, either with regular route service or irregular route service.
A carrier that interchanges trailers with another for the completion of shipments.
A company that transports freight under contract with one or a limited number of shippers.
The scheduling and control of truck pickup and delivery, involving communication with the driver via phone, pager, radio, satellite communication, or cellular phone.
Trucking operations that carry freight in their local areas and commercial zones.
Motor carriers that provide local pickup and delivery of trailers and containers (on chassis).
A terminal used for the pick-up and delivery of freight, where collected freight is sorted and routed to other terminals.
A process where goods from multiple locations are brought into a central point, re-sorted by delivery destination and shipped in the same day. Typically involving a combination of TL and LTL carrier resources, this practice eliminates warehousing, reduces inventory levels and speeds order turnaround time.
A transportation company that provides shipping of cargo belonging to others and is paid for doing so. There are two types of for-hire carriers: common carriers and contract carriers. A for-hire carrier may be both a common and a contract carrier, but must file separate registrations to obtain both licenses.
A company or an employee of a freight carrier who directs the receipt and delivery of goods.
Freight brokers help shippers source out reliable carriers to move their freight. In doing so, freight brokers also help trucking companies fill their trucks. A freight broker uses their expertise to negotiate cost effective rates, for shippers and then manages their shipments from pickup through to delivery. Most companies find the services provided by a freight broker to be an integral part of their transportation programs.
A trucking company that hauls freight, also known as a "for-hire" carrier.
An independent business which handles export shipments for compensation. At the request of the shipper, the freight forwarder makes the actual arrangements and provides the necessary services for expediting the shipment to its overseas destination. The freight forwarder takes care of all documentation needed to move the shipment from origin to destination, making up and assembling the necessary documentation for submission to the bank in the exporter’s name. Freight forwarders arrange for cargo insurance, make the necessary overseas communications, and advise the shipper on overseas requirements of marking and labeling. The freight forwarder operates on a fee basis paid by the exporter.
A trucking company that handles a wide variety of commodities in standard trailers and can be an LTL carrier or provide truckload services.
Freight that moves from origin to destination over the lines of two or more trucking companies.
Transportation involving more than one mode, e.g., rail-motor, motor-air, or rail-water.
Also known as a freight broker, a person or company that arranges for the transportation of goods.
Trucking companies that consolidate less-than-truckload (LTL) cargo for multiple destinations on one vehicle, specializing in shipments under 10,000 pounds.
An individual, partnership, or corporation engaged in the transportation of goods by truck.
The transportation of highway trailers or removable trailer bodies on rail cars specifically equipped for the service.
A trucking company that maintains its own trucks to transport its own freight.
A trucking company that specializes in moving temperature-sensitive freight using vans with controlled temperature reefer units.
A company that coordinates all aspects of an intermodal move, hiring drayage at both ends, and providing shippers with a single invoice.
A charge above the usual or customary charge.
A team of two drivers who alternate driving and resting.
A building for the handling and temporary storage of freight pending transfer between locations.
A company that coordinates all aspects of an intermodal move, hiring drayage at both ends, and providing shippers with a single invoice.
Delivery guaranteed on a specific day or at a certain time of the day.
Monitoring and recording shipment movements from origin to destination.
The total time that elapses between a shipment’s pickup and delivery.
A transportation broker refers to a non-asset based company which sells & manages freight services on behalf of their clients. Transportation brokers play an important role in the trucking industry managing very large volumes of truckload & LTL shipments. Transportation brokers typically arrange and manage, on behalf of their clients, the entire transportation process of a freight shipment. Their service includes finding a qualified carrier (with the proper insurance and operating authorities) who can move the freight in a timely manner, negotiating a good rate and then managing the entire process from pickup through to delivery. Also referred to as freight agent, freight broker, trucking broker and load broker.
See transportation broker.
Trucking company which dedicates trailers to a single shipper’s cargo, as opposed to an LTL (Less Than Truckload) carrier which transports the consolidated cargo of several shippers and makes multiple deliveries.
See transportation broker.