Shippers in relentless pursuit of reducing cost, gaining efficiencies, and reducing their environmental impact now have a new resource at their fingertips. Schneider Logistics has created a free web-based calculator that demonstrates the potential benefits of using transloading services for commonly used shipping routes versus sending an ocean container directly to the final destination. The calculator is available at www.schneider.com/TransloadingCalculator.
To perform a calculation, shippers input an origin port, a destination port, and a final destination city, along with the average number of containers traveling the route annually. With the click of a button, the calculator immediately generates an estimated annual cost savings, cost savings per container, annual miles reduction, and the carbon footprint savings when compared with moving ocean containers to inland points. The calculator also provides an estimated number of days to deliver, representing the time from when Schneider receives freight at the port to the minute it reaches its final destination.
Another advantage of transloading is the flexibility it offers. Traditional methods require shippers to make last-mile distribution decisions 30 to 45 days in advance of delivery; with transloading, it’s possible to make last-minute adjustments regarding routing, ensuring delivery from any port to any final destination.
Schneider will do an analysis of any interested shipper’s supply chain to provide more exact information for their specific shipping situation.