If your business relies on the distribution of goods, you’ve probably heard the term haulage, transport, and freight. However, what do they all mean? This blog will answer the question: What is the difference between haulage and freight? Whilst discussing when you might need them.
What’s the Difference Between Freight & Haulage?
You’ve probably heard the terms used interchangeably as both freight and haulage are the transportation of goods, but here are the differences.
What is Haulage?
Haulage usually refers to the movement of goods predominantly by land and rail. This involves moving bulk materials, heavy loads, or commercial goods using lorries, trucks or trains. Haulage services are commonly used in industries like construction, manufacturing and logistics.
What is Freight?
Freight usually refers to the transportation of goods or cargo from one place to another, typically in bulk. Unlike haulage, freight predominantly uses means of travel such as ships or airplanes.
What is a Haulage Company?
Haulage companies are used by both the public and businesses to move their goods and get them where they need to go. Typically, businesses will employ a haulage company to transport their items to either a distributor or a consumer. This allows them to focus on their business growth whilst outsourcing their logistical needs of moving their products.
However, if you have a large item, such as a pallet, or an unusually shaped item that you need to be delivered, you may need a specialist haulage company like Cross Country Carriers who will be able to help with this.
The movement of goods is necessary across multiple sectors, so being able to outsource this is often a quick, efficient and cost-effective way of ensuring this happens.
Are There Different Types of Haulage?
Yes, whilst haulage is the general term, there are several types of haulage, such as (but not limited to) the following:
- Abnormal load
- Fragile load haulage
- General haulage
- Hazardous haulage
- Vehicle haulage
- Waste disposal haulage
- Parcel delivery haulage
- Plant haulage
The different types of haulage may need specialist vehicles which are designed to move certain objects and goods. Similarly, there are different types of lorries, for various types of materials. Some are designed to carry water or dangerous chemicals, others for specific weights.
What Are the Benefits Of Using a Haulage Company?
Whilst using a third-party haulage company comes with benefits, one of the main ones is customer satisfaction. It allows you to provide your customers with the ultimate efficient experience by being able to offer them up-to-date tracking to streamline their process.
Additionally, it allows businesses to invest their time in scaling up, rather than route plans and shipping costs. It unloads the stress to the haulage company, freeing up time.
No matter if you need a one-off pallet delivery, or you’re a business owner looking for a logistic partner, Cross Country Carriers can help.
Get in touch with the team today who will be happy to answer your questions.
