Freight exchange
Encyclopedia
A freight exchange is an online service for freight haulers/haulage companies, Logistics providers and freight forwarders. It allows transport companies/haulers to search advertisements for freight, and freight forwarders/logistics providers to offer freight to be transported.
These systems provide a platform that allows carriers to communicate freight traffic information to fellow operators such as transporters, forwarders and logistics companies. They allow forwarders to advertise their freight either privately or publicly to a large number of freight operators that are looking for loads. They also allow freight operators to offer vehicle space. Online systems are normally subscription-based with a small charge for advertising (posting) and searching (consulting).
The world's first electronic freight exchange was called Teleroute
and was launched in France on the Minitel
system in 1985. Before the internet, users were supplied with a terminal to advertise or search for freight.
Now, there are many examples around the world offering many services to haulers and freight forwarders, such as Timocom and Freightex. Freightex differs from other freight exchnages, in that it is the only full service freight exchange, rather than a simple message board advertising loads and vehicle capacity.
The classic freight exchange was a favorite tool in the centralized economies. For example there was a ban to drive with an empty truck in the socialistic Czechoslovakia
. Transport companies had to use the national system showing information about available loads.
For example, a trucker has an order to transport tulips from Keukenhof in the Netherlands to Como, Italy. Ideally, a freight order for the return trip would increase profitability, so the trucker would search for return freight or backload on a freight exchange. A vehicle returning home empty following a long-haul trip is not great for the environment either. By picking up a return load, you are helping to reduce the number of other vehicles needed on the road. This leads to a reduction in carbon emissions.
These systems provide a platform that allows carriers to communicate freight traffic information to fellow operators such as transporters, forwarders and logistics companies. They allow forwarders to advertise their freight either privately or publicly to a large number of freight operators that are looking for loads. They also allow freight operators to offer vehicle space. Online systems are normally subscription-based with a small charge for advertising (posting) and searching (consulting).
The world's first electronic freight exchange was called Teleroute
Teleroute
Teleroute.com S.A., a Wolters Kluwer business, is a leading pan-European provider of electronic services and innovative solutions for the transport and logistics industry. Founded in 1985 as an online freight exchange, Teleroute today delivers collaborative solutions for the transport and logistics...
and was launched in France on the Minitel
Minitel
The Minitel is a Videotex online service accessible through the telephone lines, and is considered one of the world's most successful pre-World Wide Web online services. It was launched in France in 1982 by the PTT...
system in 1985. Before the internet, users were supplied with a terminal to advertise or search for freight.
Now, there are many examples around the world offering many services to haulers and freight forwarders, such as Timocom and Freightex. Freightex differs from other freight exchnages, in that it is the only full service freight exchange, rather than a simple message board advertising loads and vehicle capacity.
The classic freight exchange was a favorite tool in the centralized economies. For example there was a ban to drive with an empty truck in the socialistic Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. Transport companies had to use the national system showing information about available loads.
For example, a trucker has an order to transport tulips from Keukenhof in the Netherlands to Como, Italy. Ideally, a freight order for the return trip would increase profitability, so the trucker would search for return freight or backload on a freight exchange. A vehicle returning home empty following a long-haul trip is not great for the environment either. By picking up a return load, you are helping to reduce the number of other vehicles needed on the road. This leads to a reduction in carbon emissions.