One of the most common decisions when organizing freight transport is determining whether to hire a full load (FTL) or opt for a groupage (LTL) service.
There is no single answer. The choice will mainly depend on the volume of goods, destination, deadlines, and specific needs of each shipment.
Understanding the difference allows choosing a more suitable solution for each shipment.
What is a full load or FTL?
FTL stands for Full Truck Load. In this type of service, the vehicle is dedicated to a single shipment or customer.
It is an especially suitable option when there is enough volume to justify using a full vehicle or when the characteristics of the goods or service make it convenient to have dedicated transport.
Factors that may lead a company to choose a full load include:
- a high volume of goods;
- the need for a more direct operation between origin and destination;
- specific loading or unloading requirements;
- shipments that require particular planning.
What is groupage or LTL?
LTL means Less Than Truck Load. In this case, different shipments share capacity within the same transport.
Groupage is especially interesting when a company needs to send a quantity of goods that does not require a full vehicle.
This modality allows better adapting transport to the actual volume of the shipment and is a common solution for both national and international shipments.
Eurostat places consolidated goods, that is, different types of goods transported together, among the main categories of European road transport.
FTL or LTL: what to consider
Volume is important, but it is not the only criterion.
The amount of goods. A high volume may justify a full load, while for smaller shipments groupage may be more appropriate.
Deadlines. If the shipment has very specific needs, it is necessary to study which service better meets the schedule.
Origin and destination. The frequency of routes and available connections can determine which alternative is more efficient.
Characteristics of the load. Weight, dimensions, or nature of the goods also influence the solution.
For this reason, rather than always applying the same model, it is advisable to study each shipment.
A solution for every transport need
Agencia Nord offers full load (FTL) and groupage (LTL) services in national and international transport. It also provides parcel services and other transport options adapted to each customer’s needs.
The goal is not simply to find a vehicle, but to determine the most suitable way to get each shipment to its destination.
Source
Eurostat: Drop in tonnes of freight carried on EU roads by 0.7% in 2024.