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Protrade Logistics is dedicated to offering freight solutions that benefit our customers and have a greater impact on our world and society. As an expansion of our commitment to good deeds, we are proud to introduce our sustainable initiative. Our sustainability initiative was inspired by the EDPA ACCESS 2024 conference, in which we learned that sustainability is an important issue for over half of the attendees. To develop our initiative, our Protrade team considered two main things: (1) keeping our customers’ needs a priority and (2) reducing climate-impacting factors. The cornerstone of our sustainability initiative is the Green Power of Shared-Truck Loads (STLs).
When it comes to freight shipping, shippers have different truckload options. Apart from shipping an entire Full-Truck-Load (FTL), shippers can opt for Less-than-truckload (LTL) option. LTL shipping seems like a good option for when shippers have a shipment that is larger than a parcel but enough to fill a truck. LTL shipments often go through a spoke and hub system in which freight is taken from their originating location to centralized hubs to be re-distributed and shipped to their destination. Though LTL seems like a good solution for shippers, it poses several problems that should be considered before selecting this option.
A 2024 study by FLOCK Freight and Drive Research (FLOCK) found that 43% of truckloads were shipped in the U.S. with partially empty space via LTL shipping. These truckloads had an average of 29 feet of unused space, with the costs of shipping an entire cost sometimes burdening the shipper through unexpected fees. The unused space inside the truck also means that an entire truck's worth of carbon emissions was used to move less material than optimal per fuel usage. FLOCK (2020) found that LTL shipping accounts for 1.25% of national carbon emissions annually — that’s 342 million tons of CO2 every year! Thus, these truckloads put more partially filled trucks on the road adding avoidable carbon emissions into our atmosphere while costing more than shippers perceived.
The spoke and hub system also poses a risk to the shipper’s freight. FLOCK (2024) found that nearly 2% of LTL shipments were damaged in the multiple handling of materials across various sites. On average, these damages cost $3,777 in claims. Though customers sought LTLs due to perceived lower costs, surprise fees and handling risks proved to make this shipping method more expensive for them. Nonetheless, shippers who booked LTLs did so because they were unsure if other options would guarantee on-time delivery. Given the costs, risks, and the environmental impact of LTL shipping, it’s important to keep in mind alternatives that may mitigate these problems.
As and alternative to LTL, Protrade Logistics offers Shared-Truckload (STL) shipping which can be a more cost effective option for shippers while also being a more sustainable option. STL is a freight transportation solution that combines shipments from multiple shippers into a single truckload, optimizing space and reducing costs for all. Unlike Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping, where freight is often transferred between terminals, STL ensures that shipments remain on the same truck from pickup to delivery. This minimizes handling, reducing the risk of damage or theft and ensuring faster transit times. For shippers, STL is a cost-effective option as they only pay for the space their freight occupies, avoiding the inefficiencies and higher costs associated with LTL.
STL also has hidden green power. By consolidating shipments into a single truckload, STL reduces the number of partially filled trucks on the road, leading to fewer trips, lower fuel consumption, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. At Protrade, we specialize in consolidating freight from multiple shippers, creating optimized routes that maximize efficiency. By ensuring that freight is not repeatedly handled or transferred between locations, we enhance security and minimize the risk of damage. Using STL, shippers benefit from streamlined logistics, lower costs, and peace of mind, while contributing to a greener, more sustainable supply chain.
The Green Power of STL represents a win-win solution for cost savings, freight safety, and the planet!
Get in touch today to see how we can help!
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