Shipping is a confusing and frustrating process that is full of unknowns. There are so many different options with so much information to digest. Knowing where to start when planning your shipping operation can be tricky with so many confusing and complicated terminologies.
This article will steer you through the common jargon used by the trucking industry.
1) Trucker
Truckers are the people who drive trucks for delivery. They are the ones who bring your packages to you.
2) Load Board
Load boards are websites where truckers, brokers, and freight forwarders post available shipping work. Trucking firms with available freight advertise their empty trucks on the load board, such as one offered by Shiply, while shippers and receivers use the load board to find trucks that meet their requirements. In addition, haulage companies can bid on any loads they are interested in delivering.
3) Hot Shot Trucker
Hot Shot truckers usually carry urgent shipments with time-sensitive deliveries. As a result, hot shot truckers are generally paid more than other truckers in the industry because they have a greater delivery responsibility.
4) Broker
A broker’s job is to coordinate all shipping details. They arrange freight shipments, negotiate contracts, and oversee driver services. The brokers also ensure smooth integration between companies’ trucking, distribution, and accounting departments. Brokers usually do not directly contact customers. They leave this job to companies’ transportation managers and sales departments.
5) Terminal
A trucking terminal is a facility for loading and unloading cargo at the end of a truck’s route. A terminal is often located near a large city to make it easier for truckers to drive from the North or West to deliver their cargo. Unfortunately, terminals also tend to be located near ports, making them more vulnerable to natural disasters. Terminals are typically separated into two categories: private terminals and public terminals.
6) Freight Rate
Freight rate refers to the rate of a commodity by volume or weight and is quoted in USD/ft/month. Any shipping company would use this rate when calculating costs for shipments.
6) Rate Calculator
Rate calculators are computer programs that can give you a quote for shipping your cargo by truck.
7) Dispatch System
A dispatch system is software companies use to collect data about the shipping process. It gathers information from the customer, sales records, load boards, and trucking schedules to efficiently coordinate all orders, deliveries, and pick-ups. The system then updates the status of orders in real-time to allow customers to know where their shipments are.
Monitoring your shipment through an online tracking system is now available.
8) Flatbed Truck
A flatbed truck carries large items that cannot be enclosed in containers or trailers. The most common cargo loaded onto flatbed trucks are vehicles.
9) Reefer
A reefer is a refrigerated vehicle that can hold perishable products while transported by truck. Like a flatbed truck, a reefer has an open bed and is equipped with wheels to make it easy to roll into the terminal. Therefore, a trailer with a reefer attached will also be referred to as a reefer truck.
Trucking is a big business, so it only makes sense that there’s a lot of information to digest before you take the step and start your carrier’s operations. This guide is a great place to start.