History and possible forms of transportation
Transportation is considered a branch of logistics. Its aim is to organize the transport of goods in such a way that it is optimal in terms of time, costs and the safety of the transport. Today, transportation remains an essential aspect of modern society, connecting people and goods across the world and driving economic growth and development. As technology continues to advance, transportation will continue to evolve and improve, providing new opportunities and challenges for the future. In this article, we will look at the history and possible forms of transportation.
The history and development of transportation
In the early 20th century, the invention of the automobile and the aeroplane changed the way people travelled and transported goods. The widespread adoption of the automobile in the 1920s and 1930s transformed society and led to the growth of suburbanization and the development of highway systems. The aeroplane made long-distance travel and transportation of goods much faster and more efficient, connecting countries and regions across the world.
In recent decades, technological advancements have continued to shape transportation. The development of the internet and digital technologies has led to the growth of e-commerce and online marketplaces, which has led to changes in the way goods are transported and delivered. The use of renewable energy sources, such as electric and hybrid vehicles, has also gained traction, as concerns over environmental sustainability have grown.
Development of transportation
The development of transportation can be traced back to ancient times. At that time, the attitude developed in the merchant circles, according to which the merchants tried to sell their goods in other settlements as well. They sent consignments on their own responsibility and at their own expense, which were sold in the markets by merchant assistants entrusted to them. During the exercise of this activity, the logistical background of sending consignments, i.e. freight forwarding, was developed. Over time, as moving goods became an increasingly complex task for traders, this task was outsourced. Shippers and carriers have appeared.
With the invention of the railroad and the steam engine, the possibilities became virtually endless. Finished products or raw materials offered for sale could reach any part of the world, faster than ever before. This is how the globalized world in which we still live today would practically cease to function without today’s forms of shipping and transportation.
Possible forms of transportation
In terms of its nature, transportation can be divided into three main categories. Each solution has its advantages and disadvantages. Which or a mixture of which the freight forwarder chooses is determined by the geographical features and their challenges.
Shipping by sea
Our country can access this form of transport by using the ports of intermediate transit countries.
Sea freight is a suitable solution for the transport of particularly heavy cargo, bulky cargo or large quantities of cheap goods.
Goods are typically transported in containers. This is necessary so that cranes or mobile loading devices lined up in ports can move them quickly and safely. Thanks to their corner elements, they can be stacked and properly attached to different means of transport. Shipping by sea is slow but typically a more cost-effective solution compared to air shipping.
Air transport
Air freight has contributed greatly to today’s globalized world. Even modern land transport seems extremely slow compared to the speed of air transport. The planes travel on pre-planned routes, according to the schedule and on time. This is the safest form of transport. The danger from external influences and transhipment is minimal. The downside is the higher price and the fact that not all goods can be transported by plane.
Forwarding the cargo according to the contract is the responsibility of the airline. In the case of long-distance transhipment transport, the airlines share the responsibility. After landing, the documents and other smaller packages are delivered by the contracted courier service providers. In the case of air transport, it is expected that the given product will be delivered within 24-72 hours from the date of dispatch.
Road transport
A solution known to most people. During our daily commute, we can observe different types of vehicles up close, which may include:
- Refrigerated trucks
- Saddle assemblies
- Trailer assemblies
- Trailers
- Tank trucks
- Cabinet transport vehicles
- last mile delivery van
When planning a route, the freight forwarder must take into account the cross-section of the given road section, its load-bearing capacity (axle pressure), bridges, high-voltage lines and structures around the road. Ignoring them can result in personal injury, and damage to the cargo or to the structures around the road.
Considering these dangers, road transport is considered an acceptable risk solution and, thanks to the extensive road networks, it is the most common solution for both domestic and international transport tasks. Among the listed transport options, it is the only one where the delivery takes place from house to house or from company to company.
Combined transport
We speak of combined transport when, under a transport contract, goods are transported over a long distance using several transport methods. In such cases, the transferred product remains in the same closed unit, such as a container, from the sender to the receiver. It provides a solution for transport between geographical locations where the lack of underdeveloped transport infrastructure makes no other solution possible.
Possible forms:
- Road-rail
- Road-river
- Rail-sea
- River-sea
What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a carrier?
Many companies operate in such a way that they carry out the tasks of freight forwarders and carriers at the same time. Therefore, from the outside, it is no wonder that the two activities are blurred despite their clear differences. The biggest difference between the two activities lies in the movement of goods. Because the company or company that deals with transportation does not physically move goods.
The freight forwarder organizes the transport with his language, logistics, freight law, geographical and organizational skills and represents the interests of the customer. It does all this so that the given transport is as efficient as possible in terms of time and costs.
The carrier, on the other hand, deals with the physical movement of the goods. This is the process during which the product goes from A to B, that is, from the customer to the recipient. The carrier task can be performed by the principal or the consignee, however, due to its considerable cost, risk and logistical challenges, this task is most often outsourced.
Terms arising during transport
Here are some terms that commonly arise during the transportation of goods:
Bill of Lading (BOL): A legal document that provides details of the shipment, including the type of goods, quantity, and destination. It serves as a contract between the shipper and the carrier.
Freight: The goods being transported by a carrier.
Carrier: The company or individual responsible for transporting the freight.
Freight forwarder: An individual or company that arranges the transportation of goods on behalf of the shipper.
Consignor: The person or company that ships the goods.
Consignee: The person or company that receives the goods.
Delivery order: A document issued by the carrier that authorizes the release of the goods to the consignee.
Customs clearance: The process of obtaining permission from customs authorities to import or export goods.
Container: A standardized shipping unit used to transport goods, often made of steel and designed to fit on ships, trucks, or trains.
Incoterms: A set of standardized international trade terms that define the responsibilities of the buyer and seller during transportation, such as who is responsible for the cost of shipping and insurance.
Demurrage: A fee charged by the carrier for the delay in loading or unloading goods beyond the allotted time.
Freight charges: The cost of shipping the goods from one point to another.
Freight insurance: Insurance purchased by the shipper or carrier to protect against loss or damage to the goods during transportation.
Tracking number: A unique identifier assigned to a shipment that allows the shipper and carrier to track the movement of the goods.
In summary, we can say that shipping and transportation have come a long way from the first attempts of ancient traders to the present day. Freight forwarders must ensure the customer’s user experience by taking many aspects into account and by considering several possible modes of transport, in addition to the optimal delivery of the consignments from A to B.