Freight shipping is a transportation service involving goods or products in transportation by trucks, trailers or other vehicles. This type of shipment is undertaken through carriers that provide the means to transport by truck or other vehicle across international borders or waterways. There are many types of goods or products for which a trucking service is vital and there are several reasons as to why such services are important. It is not just the safety of the cargo or vehicle but also the speed with which the goods are moved that is important.
Safety of cargo is one of the main issues involved in freight shipping services. When the shipment undergoes any movement, the cargo or vehicle is subjected to various risks. For instance, the weather, harsh terrain or road conditions may damage the cargo during transportation. Depending on the type of cargo transported, the trucking services include emergency services and warehousing. In case of emergency, help can be obtained immediately from the nearest medical facilities. Warehousing services help in keeping the equipment and material intact and ready for use when needed.
Another major concern is the timely arrival of the cargo at the final destination. The trucking services are responsible for arranging for customs clearance at the international or maritime port of departure. They also ensure that all documentation, records and paperwork are in place and are in a condition to facilitate the inspection of the cargo. Once the cargo is cleared by the customs, it is shipped to its ultimate destination.
One of the key factors contributing to the trucking industry’s future growth and profitability is the trucking driver shortage. The trucking industry has a very high demand for skilled drivers and many trucking companies are based in states with high unemployment rates. To ensure that truck drivers have steady employment, there are a variety of trucking job placement agencies that provide on-the-job training and on-the-job placement services to qualified truck drivers. The training provided by these agencies ensures that the truck driver does not experience the trucking driver shortage problem, which causes temporary lay-offs and the inability to increase productivity until the temporary crisis is resolved. These agencies arrange for short-term contracts with trucking companies to prevent the trucking company from experiencing a shortage of drivers.
Shippers expect to receive freight costs competitively. Trucking companies compete for shipping contracts with shippers, and they offer several forms of incentives to win such business. Many trucking companies provide generous volume discounts to attract clients, and they may even provide special pricing for shippers that agree to use their trucks to transport goods internationally. Other forms of trucking incentives offered to shippers include: lower cost carriers; use of company vehicles for personal purposes; use of company-owned trucks to haul freight; and use of company trucks for inter-line transfer of shipments. Each incentive program offered is designed to promote shippers to expand their use of the trucking services.
A potential threat to the U.S. trucking industry could be a global trucking driver shortage caused by a trade war. Trucks are one of the key components of the American economy. Without them, the country would not be able to compete in global markets. The trucking industry is an integral part of American commerce, and if it were to be shut down for any reason, the effects would ripple across the American economy, putting thousands out of work. Truck drivers are an essential part of the trucking trade. If a trucking company closes its doors because of a strike or other problem, the ripple effect could send many other companies, as well as the millions of jobs associated with those companies, into decline.