The world of logistics presents many opportunities and as many traps: making the right choice is never easy, especially in freight transport. Let's find out why ...
The theme of transport in terms of logistics is undoubtedly one of the hottest topics at national and international level: this is because it is a question that conveys various factors of great importance, from affordability atpollution passing through those who will be the future developments of the world of logistics.
Going to analyze more closely the various opportunities available in the choice of the means with which to transport the goods of a particular company, let's immediately see how the variables involved are numerous and all in their own way very important.
The world of logistics comes out of twenty years of great growth
Let's start with an assumption: in the last twenty years the distribution logistics sector has registered an increase in movements equal to 170%: a dizzying growing percentage that helps us understand how the globalized world has radically transformed our lives.
Starting from this analysis it becomes at least obvious to state how all types of freight transport, from the one by sea to the rubberized one, passing through the air and rail transport, either and often related.
However, it must be understood when, how and why it is better to choose one means rather than another.
Why the sea?
Let's start, for obvious reasons, from naval transport: we are talking about the oldest type of transport for large quantities of goods over long distances, with the Phoenicians considered to be the true pioneers of water transport (we had talked about it , promising).
Well, the transport of goods by sea is undoubtedly the cheapest of the choices that we have listed, but in fact also the slowest. A very important advantage, in addition to the economic one, is that linked to possibility of handling many tons of goods choosing the route by sea, much more than the "competitors".
Another point in favor is undoubtedly given by the pollution and therefore by it emissions: 15 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer they represent on average the emissions of a merchant ship; we will go to see how for other types of medium the discourse is very different.
A negative point, at least in certain areas of our country, is instead represented by lack of infrastructure that they can guarantee a certain intermodality and above all smarter berths in all areas for large ships; a plague that will hopefully be resolved in the near future.
Air transport, many pros and just as many cons
Il airway transport instead represents the most "avant-garde" of the choices: the great advantage in this case is undoubtedly represented by the speed, with products that can travel from one part of the world to another in a matter of days.
The disadvantages, not insignificant, are represented by very high costs and environmental impact, with a release of approx 500 grams of carbon dioxide for each kilometer.
It also does not appear simple hub for reaching the destination: With the heavier growth of routes, it becomes difficult to organize large quantities of goods for a linear journey.
Rubber yes, rubber no?
Il road transport, by far more used for "short" distances and for certain types of products, it has the great advantage of capillary distribution of goods on the territory, a “door to door” distribution that cannot be clearly guaranteed by any other type of logistics sector.
On the long mileage, speaking in the order of thousands of kilometers, wheeled transport becomes difficult to manage, both for reasons of effort and expense, especially in certain sections, and in terms of pollution.
Le restrictive rules established worldwide, lead to a conspicuous reduction over the years of road transport, favoring, precisely, the way ofintermodality with the participation of several vehicles in the freight transport chain, with the aim of guaranteeing one reduction of greenhouse gases.
Rail, the other alternative
Il rail transport, also carried out by means of containers with freight trains, represents a valid solution for long routes, from 600 kilometers upwards: i connections between stations and companies are not always easy, or the poor capacity in terms of goods reception always in the stations, due to the absence of warehouses, due to architecture or position, they often yield this much more complex channel than you might think.
Basically, the choice of the type of transport to be used for the goods depends most of the time on the goods themselves, on the routes to be taken and the destinations to be reached.
For non-perishable goods, bulk and machinery, raw materials such as coal, minerals and much more, sea freight remains by far the preferable choice, especially if married to a capacity of storage and intermodality once the goods have landed.
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