Full Container Load (FCL) shipping is a hugely popular and often better solution for international shipping for goods with low tolerance. It has become easier because of the use of computers and telecommunications. FCL shipping is an alternative to Less Than Container Load (LCL), which has mostly been used with smaller shipments when there was a need for speediness and agility to avoid damage. The advantages of FCL include:
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1. Easy to Track
Dedola Global Logistics FCL makes it easy to track the status of an FCL shipment from door to door. With instant communication, command centers can determine the location of a shipment. They can also use satellite tracking services to determine their exact location anywhere in the world at any given time.
The tracking service updates are sent frequently, and any discrepancies can be handled immediately. A problem on board or along the route can be determined by a simple check of location tracking data, making it possible to initiate immediate action should a problem arise.
2. Reliability
Unlike LCL shipments, FCL shipments do not have to move from country to country, which means no high-risk connection points. There are also no intermediate storage costs because the shipment is consolidated and delivered direct to the final destination, eliminating delivery delays and damage.
3. Affordability
A major advantage of FCL shipping is its cost-effectiveness, as it can be more economical than other shipping methods. According to CBOX, when you ship by FCL, you pay a fixed rate for the whole container rather than paying by the square footage you use. The cost of shipping a container from one location to another depends on many factors. It can be affected by the size of the shipment and its value, the type of manufacturing industry involved, distance, time frame for delivery, port handling costs, and import or export duties.
However, because the weight of the shipment is lower, it is possible to use smaller containers and save on transport costs. If a shipment weighs a total of 5,000 kilograms (11,000 pounds), an LCL shipment will weigh around 15 tonnes (33,000 pounds). With an FCL shipment, it can weigh as little as half that, thus saving money.
Further savings are achieved by reducing weight through the reuse and recycling of containers (as long as they are in good condition) or by using fewer packaging materials. Finally, there should be fewer handling fees and storage costs for any problems that may occur along the way, thanks to reduced damage. Speaking of…
4. Reduced Damage
FCL shipments are less susceptible to damage than LCL shipments, which become more vulnerable due to the addition of more containers in each country.
The number of people handling an FCL shipment is also far lower than that of an LCL shipment if they go through direct ports. As fewer connections and fewer people handle the shipments, the risk of damage is substantially reduced because there is less chance for errors to occur during transportation. There will be even less chance of damage or loss if it is possible to use reusable containers.
5. Quicker Transit Time
The transit time for FCL shipments is significantly less than for LCL ones because fewer connections are used for shipments. The weight of the shipment will also greatly reduce the time it takes to move; as a result, FCL shipping can be completed in around 30 days.
This is particularly useful if a delivery date needs to be strictly followed or if there are delays due to other factors such as weather or political unrest. It can also ensure that the goods are delivered on the agreed-upon date and not just on the day they were purchased.
6. Flexibility
FCL shipping is more flexible than LCL shipping because it can be used for a wide range of goods, which covers a much wider range of merchandise volume and value, including packing materials and other packaging forms.
The good type also affects the container size and the weight limit. FCL shipments are also flexible because they can be used for small-scale or large-scale goods. It can also be used to ship highly sensitive goods that need to be shipped quickly, but that must not be damaged or altered during transit.
7. Safety
A FCL shipping does not have to handle as many containers as an LCL one, which can be a safety concern for workers. It also minimizes the chance of damage and loss by using reusable containers and reducing the amount of packaging.
Finally, because fewer people are handling the goods, they are less likely to make mistakes that might cause damage during transit.
8. Agility
FCL shipping is also possible with goods that require a high degree of agility, such as perishables and perishable goods with short shelf life. It can be especially useful if the shipment needs to arrive on a specific date.
The speediness and agility of the delivery will be vital for perishables since there is a limited amount of time in which they need to be delivered and used. If the shipment is delivered too late, all the products will likely be lost.
There are many advantages to FCL shipping, and it can be particularly useful for those goods with a limited shelf life and those needing to be delivered quickly and promptly. The shipping industry will benefit from the reduction in cost, quality control, and damage caused by LCL shipments.