Part load freight transportation, also known as less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation, refers to the transportation of smaller shipments that do not require a full truckload. In part load freight transportation, multiple shipments from different shippers are consolidated and transported together in a single truck or container.

Unlike full truckload (FTL) transportation, where a single shipment occupies the entire vehicle, part load freight transportation allows multiple shippers to share the transportation costs and space, making it a cost-effective option for smaller shipments. This consolidation process helps optimize the use of available transport capacity and reduces the overall transportation costs.

Part load freight transportation is commonly used by businesses and individuals who have smaller quantities of goods to transport. Freight forwarders or logistics companies play a crucial role in organizing and managing part load shipments, as they consolidate the shipments, coordinate the logistics, and arrange for the transportation.

Collection and consolidation: Freight forwarders collect shipments from multiple shippers and consolidate them at their facilities or distribution centers.

Sorting and routing: The shipments are sorted based on their destinations and grouped together for efficient routing.

Loading and transportation: The consolidated shipments are loaded onto trucks or containers and transported to their respective destinations. Depending on the distance, multiple transshipment points may be involved to transfer the shipments between different vehicles.

Delivery and distribution: Upon arrival at the destination, the shipments are unloaded and distributed to the respective consignees or recipients.