Modes Of Transportation In Logistics

 Introduction

                             Logistics is generally the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation. In a general business sense, logistics is the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. The resources managed in logistics may include tangible goods such as materials, equipment, and supplies, as well as food and other consumable items. Logistics management is the part of supply chain management, that plans, implements and controls the efficient, effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services and related information between the point of origin and point of consumption to meet customer's requirements.

                         In logistics process, the transportation is playing very important to move the materials from one place to another place. For transportation of materials or goods, we used types of modes, such as vehicles, ships, airplane, trains, etc. In generally, there are main four types of modes of transportation used in logistics activities as per materials type, location and special consideration.

1) Materials Or Cargo Type

                            First we need to analyze the which type of materials we are transported. Is a product hazardous, perishable, challenging to handle, liquid or gas form? What are the dimensions of the shipping container ? What is the loading or unloading process ?

2) Locations

                           In location category, there are we consider the main 2 locations i.e. materials loading point (point of origin) and materials unloading point (final destination). 

3) Special Consideration

                             In special consideration category, we need to analyze the materials moving time during the holiday season. Urgency of shipment, budget of transportation. 

                             The 4 type of modes of transportation in logistics we are used, they are as follows:-

1) Road Transportation

                             A road transportation is also known as surface transportation. A road transportation is the most common modes of transportation, shipping freight by road makes it easy to move goods across various locations and countries. While road freight offers several advantages over other modes of transportation affordability, scheduled deliveries, flexible service freight tracking, and local or over border deliveries - truck shipment can be limited by size and weight restrictions, as well as impacted by weather, road conditions, and traffic. 

                         Road transport means transportation of goods and personnel from one place to the other on roads. Road is a route between two destinations, which has been either paved or worked on to enable transportation by way of motorized and non - motorized carriages. There are many advantages of road transport. The investment required in road transport is very less compared to other modes of transport such as railways and air transport. The cost of construction, operating cost and maintaining roads is cheaper than that of the railways. The major advantages of road transport is that it can enable door to door delivery of goods and materials can be provide a very cost - effective means of cartage, loading and unloading. Toad transport is is the only way for carrying goods and people to and from rural areas which are not catered to by rail, water or air transport. Delivery of goods between cities, towns and small villages is made possible only through road transport. 

2) Sea Transportation

                     A sea transportation is also known as marine transportation. Marine transportation is the ideal shipping solution for companies looking to move high volume or heavy cargo, such as mineral's, metals, ores, steels, over dimensional cargo, etc. Shipping by ocean is also the most environmentally friendly and economical form of freight shipping and offers a higher carrying capacity than other modes of transportation. This mode of transportation provides extensive coverage around the world and allows shippers to have access to multiple carrier option.

 

                          A marine transportation, is the transport of people or goods via waterways or sea. Freight transport by sea has been widely used throughout recorded history. Transport by water is cheaper than transport by air, despite fluctuating exchange rates and a free placed on top of freighting charges for carrier companies known as the currency adjustment factor. Marine transport can be realized over any distance by boat, ship, sailboat or barge, over oceans and lakes, through canals or along rivers. Shipping may be for commerce, recreation or for militaries purposes. 

                                Different type of marine transport are best - suited for specific kinds of cargo. Transportation options by sea can range from general cargo ships to large vessels that are capable of carrying vehicles, heavy equipment, and numerous types of boats. There are also passenger ships and fishing vessels. The most common type of sea transport involves the use of a cargo ship. Cargo ships come in a range of sizes. General cargo ships only have a few holds, while cargo container ship can handle sizable loads. We can always recognize a large container ship by the towering stack of steel shipping containers on its decks and in its holds. 

3) Rail Transportation 

                                  Rail transportation is an environmentally friendly, fast, and cost -effective solution for shipping large volumes of freight long distances. however it is important to note that at the end of the rail transit, the cargo will often need to continue the rest of its journey via road transportations. Shipping by rail is also one of the most efficient forms of land transportations, as one train can haul the equivalent of over 500 trucks. 

                             Rail transport, also known as train transport - is a means of transferring passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are located on tracks. Tracks usually consists of steel rails, installed on sleepers (ties) set in ballast, on which the rolling stock, usually fitted with metal wheels, moves rolling stock in a rail transport system generally encounters lower frictional resistance than rubber tired road vehicles, so passenger and freight cars can be coupled into longer trains. The operation is carried out by a railway company, providing transport between train stations or freight customer facilities. Railways are a safe land transport system when when compared to other forms of transport. Railway transport is capable of high levels of passenger and cargo utilization and energy efficiency, but is often less flexible and more capital intensive than road transport, when lower traffic levels are considered. 

4) Air Transportation

                                 Air transportation is one of the most expensive modes of transportation due to the requirement of speed and cost of fuel. Shipping cargo by air is critical for markets and supply chains that rely on expedited delivery services. Compared to another modes of freight shipping air transportation requires less documentation and handling of the cargo and offers an enhanced level of security, as well as reliable arrival and departure times. Air transportation is an important enabler to achieving economic growth and development. Air transport facilitates integration into the global economy and provides vital connectivity on a national, regional and international scale. It helps to generate trade, promote tourism and create employment opportunities. 

                             Air fright logistics is the shipment of goods via a chartered or scheduled air carrier. Air freight is a popular choice for many companies as it ensures passage for their goods to anywhere in the world that an aircraft can fly to and land. Goods transported by air have the advantages of being taken to their final destination at high speed which could prove advantageous if the shipment is time sensitive. Shipments that are transported via air carrier go through a higher level of security than other methods which makes it one of the most secure ways to transport goods. 

There are a few choices when it comes to organizing an air freight delivery: -

a) Consolidated Freight - Where one flight contains many shipments.

b) Back To Back or Direct Services - Where a flight contains one single shipment. 

c) Charter Services - Where an entire freight plane is chartered for a single air freight delivery. 

                   Air freight, also known as air cargo. And it is in two types, they are as follows : -

1) General Cargo 

                             This type of cargo consists of high volume cargo like pharmaceuticals, jewelry, and electronics. Even though air shipping is more expensive than sea transport, it is still the best mode for transporting high margin and fragile goods. 

2) Special Cargo

                             Preferred type for transporting under special conditions such as temperature control, air conditions, and special casing, usually in case of hazardous goods or live stock. 

Conclusion

                                    Logistics management is the part of supply chain management, that plans, implements and controls the efficient, effective forward, and reverse flow and storage of goods, services and related information between the point of origin and point of consumption to meet customers requirements. In logistics process, the transportation is playing very important role to move the materials from one place to another place. For transportation of materials or goods, we used types of modes, such as vehicles, ships, airplane, trains, etc. 

                                   In generally,  there are major four types of modes are used for transportation in logistics, they are : (1) Road / Surface Transportation, (2) Marine / Sea Transportation, (3) Rail / Train Transportation, (4) Air Transportation.

                                   A road transportation is the most common modes of transportation, shipping freight by road makes it easy to move goods across various locations and countries. The investment is required in road transport is very less compared to other modes of transportation. The major advantages of road transport is that it can enable door-to-door delivery of goods and materials and can provide a very cost-effective means of cartage, loading and unloading. Road transport is the only way for carrying goods and people to and from rural areas, which are not catered to by rail, water and air transport.