Modes of Logistics

By: Syed Huzaifa Khalid

 Air
 Sea
 Rail
 Road
 Pipeline
Air

 Commonly used for businesses for the delivery

of goods from distant suppliers
 Useful to deliver products with short lead times,
fragile goods and products that are not bulky.
 Products in high demand and short in supply
may also be air freighted in order to meet
customer demands.
 Bulk/Value ratio will be the determining factor.
Advantages

 Fast delivery usually between 24 and 48

hours.
 Customer is not kept waiting for order
fulfillment.
 Reduced lead time on suppliers.
 Improved service levels
Disadvantages

 Flight delays or cancellations.

 Customs and Excise restrictions.
 Cost.
Sea

 Delivery of goods from distant suppliers.

 Most sea transportation is conducted in
containers which vary in sizes.
 Goods can be grouped into one container.
LCL or FCL.
 Sea tankers are used for bulk shipments of
loose goods such as oil, grain and coal.
Advantages

 Ideal for transporting heavy and bulky goods.

 Suitable for products with long lead times
Disadvantages

 Longer lead/ delivery times.

 Bad weather.
 Difficult to monitor exact location of goods in
transit.
 Customs and Excise Restrictions.
Rail

 Used for transportation for the delivery of a

wide range of goods including coal, steel and
other heavy goods.
Advantages

 Fast delivery
 Capacity
 Cost effective
 Safe mode of transport
 Reliable
Disadvantage

 Subject to unforeseen delays

 Reliance on rail freight operators timetable.
 Suppliers/ Customers are not located near the
rail freight deposit
 Delivery to/from the deposit can be costly
and time consuming
Road

 Most popular mode of transport used by

suppliers and business to deliver orders.
 Many transport companies provide scheduled
delivery days and next day delivery services.
 Depending upon the clients needs.
 Goods can be packed/grouped in box ,vans or
in containers which are also used for sea
transportation.
Advantages

 Cost effective.
 Fast delivery.
 Ideal for short distances, National or
mainland Europe.
 Ideal for transporting perishables (e.g. Fruit
and Vegetables).
 Easy to monitor location.
 Easy to communicate with the driver.
Disadvantages

 Transport subject to traffic delays.

 Transport subject to breakdown.
 Careless driving.
 Bad weather.
 Diving regulations can cause delays.
Pipe line

 Used for transportation of liquids and gasses

mostly.
 Water (in case of Singapore and Malaysia).
Advantages

 No weather delays.
 Low delivery cost.
 Speedy delivery.
Disadvantages

 High fixed cost.

 Limited carriers.
 Restricted use.
 Limited accessibility.
Intermodal Transportation
 The movement of freight from one mode of
transport to another
 Commonly taking place at a terminal
specifically designed for such a purpose. (IDEAL
COUNTRIES) !!
 Intermodal freight transport involves the
transportation of freight in an intermodal
container or vehicle, using multiple modes of
transportation (rail, ship, and truck), without
any handling of the freight itself when changing
modes.
Types Of Containers
Uses of shipping containers
 Press boxes.
 Emergency shelters.
 Military training facility.
 Urban homes.
 Offices.
 Stores.
 Studios.
 Medical clinics.
 Sleeping rooms.
 Intermodal sealed storage on ships, Trucks,
and Trains. 