The international shipping industry works in a chain process where inland and maritime transportation are dependent on one another. The usual process includes collecting the cargo from the factory to the port of shipment through inland haulage from the exporters’ side and then receiving the same from the delivery port to the defined destination to the importers’ end. Even after being well aware of this equation, more often than not, traders tend to take the inland logistics services lightly. 

The importance of inland haulage services should never be underestimated by the traders who wish to experience sustainable growth in the shipping industry. For a seamless integration of the entire process, selecting the right mode of haulage services is also crucial. Try to find a reliable freight forwarder of logistics services to ensure that the shipments are handled by safe and steady hands. You can click on this link – https://www.cogoport.com/inland-logistics to avail inland haulage services.

Modes of Inland Haulage Services 

The inland transportation system is divided into two broad categories:

Rail Transportation 

The major seaports of every country are situated in the coastal cities to enable smooth seaborne shipments. The imported goods need to be collected from these ports to supply the goods in other parts of the country. Similarly, products manufactured in rural areas are taken to the ports of shipment through inland logistics. Such long-distance shipments are conducted through rail haulage services offered by freight forwarders or leading logistics companies. The weight of the cargo also matters in this case as extremely heavy goods cannot be loaded on trucks or barges. 

Road Transportation 

The immobility of heavy cargo needs road transportation services to reach the seaport. Although the traders have a slight chance to deliver LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments to the port on their own, FCL shipments or heavyweight cargos are safely transported through trucks. 6 types of trucks that are used for this purpose. 

• Curtain-Sided – These are the most commonly used trucks in the inland haulages as it is extremely safe and secured even on bumpy roads. Since the top and sides of these vehicles are covered with PVC curtains, loading and unloading cargo is very convenient. 
• Flatbeds – Flatbeds are long trucks with no side or upper cover. These trucks are used for transporting machinery equipment, long iron and steel rods, etc. The weight capability of flatbeds is much higher than other types of vehicles. 
• Temperature Controlled Trucks – These trucks are ideal for transporting edible items like vegetables, milk, fruits, etc. that require a certain degree of cold compression. The trucks have an in-built refrigerating system that keeps the quality of goods intact. 
• Box Trucks – Useful for transporting cartooned or palette cargos, box trucks are very commonly seen on roads as there are plenty of them in the inland haulage department. 
• Car-Carriages – The trucks that can easily bear the load of small cars and motorbikes are called car-carriages. The nerve-racking job of transporting these heavy items is easily carried out using these trucks. 
• Tankers – More popularly known as oil tankers among the people, these trucks carry petroleum and liquid chemicals. 

River Transportation 

In India, many rural towns are not connected with the national highways. Barges are used in this case for transporting the goods to the highway authorities or directly to the port. Barges are like small ships capable of bearing a certain amount of weight. River transportation is still under-development in some parts of the country so one must consult with the inland haulage department before choosing it. 

Possessing a detailed understanding of the inland haulage mechanisms and how it works can help one in reaping the benefits of hassle-free shipments. One should be able to make a practical choice keeping the nature of the goods and cost of shipping in mind.