Understanding the differences between LTL (Less Than Truckload) and FTL (Full Truckload) shipping modes is essential for any company that distributes products, as it has a direct impact on costs, delivery times and security of goods. Understanding the difference between LTL and FTL allows you to choose the most appropriate road transport solution for your needs, optimise operational efficiency and better respond to your customers’ needs.
In this article, we at Mesaroli will analyse in detail the characteristics, advantages and differences between FTL and LTL transport to help you identify the most suitable option for your shipments.
FTL transport involves the exclusive use of an entire vehicle for a single shipment. This method is ideal when the quantity of goods is sufficient to fill the truck completely, or when a direct delivery without intermediate stops is required.
A practical example can be found in the food industry, where FTL transport is often chosen to preserve the integrity and freshness of products. Consider a farm that needs to deliver several tonnes of fresh fruit to a national distributor. Given the perishable nature of the product and the need to maintain a constant temperature, the company opts for a temperature-controlled FTL service. In this way, the entire truck is dedicated to fruit, ensuring that thermal conditions remain constant and that the goods arrive at the distributor quickly and in optimum condition. This approach reduces the risk of contamination and ensures compliance with food safety regulations.
Conversely, the overall cost of FTL can be higher than other modes, particularly for smaller shipments where the exclusive use of a full truck may not be cost effective.
LTL transport is suitable for shipments that do not take up the entire space of a truck. In this case, goods from several customers are consolidated in one vehicle, optimising the available space.
A common example in the food sector is shipments of canned goods destined for several outlets in the same city. If the quantity of goods does not justify the use of a full truck, the company may opt for LTL transport. In this scenario, the products are loaded with other shipments from different customers to maximise space and share transport costs. This approach allows the manufacturer to save on logistics costs without sacrificing delivery efficiency.
On the other hand, LTL shipments can take longer than FTL shipments because the vehicle makes several stops to load and unload goods from different companies. This results in longer delivery times, which can vary significantly.
Groupage is another type of transport in which small consignments of goods from different shippers are combined into a single shipment. This solution is particularly advantageous for very small shipments, generally less than 2,500 kg. Unlike LTL, which consolidates partial but still significant loads, groupage focuses on smaller batches, further optimising costs for companies with limited shipping needs. However, delivery times can be longer than with LTL and FTL due to consolidation and possible stops to load or unload other customers’ goods.
The choice between FTL, LTL and groupage depends on your company’s specific needs, such as volume and value of goods, urgency of delivery and available budget. FTL is ideal for full loads or when a fast and direct delivery is required, while LTL is a beneficial solution for those with partial loads who want to reduce costs without sacrificing efficiency. Finally, groupage is ideal for very small consignments that can be grouped together to optimise transport costs.
Mesaroli, with its experience in the logistics sector and its fleet of modern and versatile industrial vehicles, can help you identify the most suitable mode of transport for your needs and recommend the solution that best optimises costs, delivery times and the safety of your goods.
Contact us today to find out how we can support your business with an efficient and tailored transport service!