The concept of complete loads: We explain what counts
It is not for nothing that logistics is such a complex field, with countless terminologies that are often further coupled with practical fields of application. Thus, many things have a justification here and often it is the small but subtle differences that count. This is also the case in freight traffic. Full truck loads are an important concept in this respect, which is excellently suited for many cargoes and offers many advantages.
Definition of full load: Avoid intermixing and ship goods efficiently
The term complete load describes in a generic way what this is all about. Thus, we are talking about complete loads, where it is quite crucial that they are not altered on the way to the intended destination. In concrete terms, this means that there is no mixing with other transported goods, for example at transshipment points, nor is there any splitting of the transported goods.
In practice, the complete loads can then also occur in different order forms. On the one hand, there are the individual orders, which quite classically mean the complete load from A to B in a single order. However, automated processes in which further partial orders are triggered after the initial order are also conceivable. Here, for example, it may happen that the load automatically triggers the next process after arrival.
The complete load in contrast to the partial load
In logistics, the full load is often considered in contrast to the opposite partial load, and for good reason. The definition of a partial load is roughly that different goods can be mixed and thus joined together. In the case of standardized transport sizes, for example, this can lead to available space being used even more optimally.
The decisive factor here is that in terms of transport logistics, other steps are necessary for part loads and, for example, the complexity increases somewhat, which in turn speaks in favor of full loads.
Note: Partial loads as opposed to full loads can also be referred to as groupage.
Different means of transport offer differences in complete loads
Due to the wide range of transport standardization, it is also necessary to take a look at the means of transport, as there are certain differences in this respect for full loads. The main distinctions are shown below:
- Full Truck Loads (FTL) are called complete loads on trucks, which are used in traditional truck transport. Partial loads are not uncommon here in particular, while full loads can mean logistical advantages on a direct route, especially if the right capacities are selected and later filled.
- Full Container Loads (FCL) are the complete loads in container traffic. Here, too, it is crucial that the capacities are filled appropriately. Especially in the planning stage, it is therefore important to match the complete load well to the available quantities.
Furthermore, there is also a term for full loads for train transport with wagon loads, as the goods often transported on trains allow exactly that. For example, these include bulk materials that would be rather unsuitable to mix. Particularly on transport routes where the suppliers and also the recipients have appropriate logistical possibilities for loading and unloading, optimized full loads are also worthwhile by rail.
