Understanding Cross-Docking: FTL, LTL, and Small Parcel Shipments

Cross-Docking: FTL, LTL, and Small Parcel Mixtures

Cross-docking involves unloading goods from one truck and loading them onto another for continued transport to their final destination.

Product vs. Packaging Issues

Sometimes, the problem lies with the product itself, rather than the packaging.

Small Parcel Shipments

Small parcels are often shipped via airplanes.

Replicated Environments

Cross-docking can create replicated environments for shipments.

Truck Shipments

Truck shipments are a common mode of transport.

FTL vs. LTL

FTL (Full Truckload): You typically know the contents and how they fit together.

LTL (Less Than Truckload): You often don't know what else will be in the truck.

Bulk Shipments

Bulk shipments involve containers of large quantities of goods (e.g., sugar).

TEU and FEU

• TEU: 20-foot equivalent unit (most common)
• FEU: 40-foot equivalent unit = 2 TEUs

LTL Challenges

LTL involves mixed loads from multiple senders, potentially affecting neighboring products. Deadheading (truck is mostly empty) is common.

Truck Hazards

Trucks face hazards like vibration and side-impact compression (dynamic). Most corrugated materials resonate at 7-11 Hz.

Common Truck Sizes

The most common truck sizes are 48 and 53 feet.

Rail Shipments

Rail shipment is often the most efficient method of transportation.

Piggybacking

Piggybacking involves stacking containers on top of each other in a well car.

Rail Impact

Train coupling should ideally occur at 6 mph, but this isn't always the case, leading to hard side impacts.

IATA Regulations

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has the strictest regulations.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is common, but approximately 600 containers fall off ships each year.

Shipping Considerations

Common considerations include TEU, FEU, and ISO (standardized sizes to facilitate efficiency in the supply chain).

One Size Doesn't Fit All

It's crucial to understand how the package will be handled.

Packaging Postponement

Packaging postponement involves waiting to send packages until containers are fuller.

Developing Country Challenges

In developing countries, problems may arise from how packages are handled by the end user.

International Regulations

Different countries have different regulations, and climate needs to be considered.

Package Security

Make packages traceable and difficult to open.

Design Process

The design process includes research, design, testing, refinement, drawings, and artwork.

Underpacking vs. Overpacking

• Underpacking: Can lead to damage.
• Overpacking: Can lead to overspending.

Redesign and retest until the package passes all tests. You cannot change the distribution environment.

Standards Compliance

Determine which standard to use. As long as you comply with one standard, you meet the requirements.

CFR 49

CFR 49 requires appropriate labeling, handholds, markings, and instructions.

Uniform Freight Classification (UFC)

UFC aims to provide a level playing field for shipping goods by rail. It eliminated 400% of corrugated material.

Rule 40 and 41

• Rule 40: Applies to all shipping containers.
• Rule 41: Applies to corrugated materials.

This created the box certificate, Mullen burst test, etc.

National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC)

NMFC is similar to UFC but for trucks. Class depends on density and stability. NMFC rule 31 and item 222 are very similar.

Testing Agencies

ASTM standards arose because of train rails and the need to standardize everything.

Packing Prefixes

The majority of packing standards come from D and F prefixes.