Any business delivering cargo through a haulage company will want the process to be as efficient as possible. Shipping goods from one location to another can be expensive, so it’s important to minimise costs and maximise profits by choosing the best haulage option.
At John K. Philips, we always strive to provide a streamlined service for our clients, promoting transparency and reliability. We hear stories of businesses receiving unfair deals all too often, with less reputable companies charging them for more space than they need.
To prevent this from happening to you, this blog can offer some insight into the differences between full load haulage and part load haulage, helping you to make a more informed decision. Let’s take a look at what exactly these options are and how to choose between them.
What is a full load?
Also known as a full truckload or full container load, this is a consignment that takes up all the available storage space in the vehicle or container. Rather than being based on the weight of the larger amount of goods, the cost will be fixed according to the vehicle and storage size.
Of course, hiring an entire truck will cost more than only using part of it, but the benefit of full load haulage is that your shipment gets a dedicated vehicle. This means that it can go from A to B without having to stop off for other deliveries, transporting your goods much faster.
This is obviously the best choice for large consignments, but it’s also the most practical option for moving delicate items, goods that require a fixed temperature, or hazardous materials that can’t mix with other substances for safety reasons.
What is a part load?
Also known as a partial load or less than truckload, this type of consignment only takes up a limited amount of the storage space available in the vehicle or container. Not every load will be large enough to fill up a goods vehicle by itself, so hauliers need to optimise the leftover empty space.
Both haulage companies and the businesses who use them can save money if multiple loads are consolidated into one vehicle. Rather than paying for the use of the entire vehicle, you only pay for the volume of your part load, which is usually measured in cubic metres.
For example, at John K. Philips, we charge for the total pallet space used rather than charging by pallet. This saves you money, but the process is likely to take a little longer, as the haulage vehicle will have to make several stops along the way to collect/drop off other loads.
Is part load haulage safe?
Yes, part load haulage is just as safe as full load haulage, especially when you hire a dependable company like John K. Philips. Many people prefer a full load service because they don’t have to worry about their loads getting mixed up if the truck contains their goods exclusively.
However, modern technology means that it’s very unlikely for partial loads to be misplaced, as consignments can be tracked with pinpoint accuracy. The John K. Philips team utilises this tracking technology to provide updates down to the second, so you always know exactly where things are.
We also use cutting-edge logistics programmes to organise shipments and delivery schedules in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible, ensuring that your products get to where they need to be in prime condition. Whether goods need to be kept dry and enclosed, or chilled or frozen, we can provide the appropriate haulage service to suit your requirements.
Is part load haulage cheaper?
Some hauliers consider organising part loads to be too much fuss, and charge the standard rate for a full vehicle even if it’s half empty. When haulage companies like John K. Philips offer to group part loads together, it’s much easier to get a fair price for the transportation of your goods.
You can then spend the money that you’ve saved on empty deliveries elsewhere in your business to help it grow. Part load haulage will always be the cheapest option if your consignments aren’t big enough to take up a full truckload. However, if your shipments are large enough, the full load service will be more affordable, even though it’s more expensive than a part load.
As mentioned, part loads can take longer to transport than full loads because they can’t take a direct route. You’ll still be able to receive deliveries within 72 hours (2-3 days) between the UK and Europe for international shipments, and access same day or next day delivery within the UK.
Contact John K. Philips for full or part load transport
The bulk of the operations are the same for full load transport and part load transport, and John K. Philips can offer both. When you contact us to discuss cargo transportation, you can let us know how much you need to transport, and we’ll explain whether this qualifies as a part load or full load.
Whichever option you choose, you can be sure that your goods will arrive at their destination safely and on time with John K. Philips transportation. To find out more about our haulage services, give us a call on 01744 751 000 and our friendly team of transport experts will answer your enquiries.