Freight exchanges: Where businesses and service providers find each other

Freight exchanges are platforms that enable companies and transport service providers to publish both their demand and their free capacities. This provides effective collaboration and a faster and easier way to link supply and demand in the freight sector.

In concrete terms, this means: Company 1 would like to transport goods from A to B. Company 2 still has free capacity in its own supply chain and could transport additional goods. Through the freight exchange, company 1 and 2 find each other – a win-win situation for all parties involved, saving resources and costs.

Find the right transporters for your deliveries by choosing Cargoboard.

Advantages of transports via exchanges

A freight exchange offers shippers and forwarding companies many advantages. Here is an overview:

Reduction of transport costs

If you are an entrepreneur who is in need of transport solutions, you can take advantage of free capacity of other freight forwarders. This is advantageous for all parties involved: You reduce your expenses, because on the one hand you can compare different forwarders within the freight exchange and thus benefit from the most favorable price. On the other hand, the forwarder prevents empty freight and increases its capacity utilization.

Increase efficiency

Transport orders also play a major role in this field. Freight forwarders can reduce their own costs by accepting additional bookings and making offers. This allows them to use their resources more efficiently.

Time saving

It is a huge time waster to obtain offers from several providers. Freight forwarding exchanges reduce the effort. You only have to make an inquiry for your freight and you will receive corresponding offers from various shippers.

Use of existing resources

Freight exchanges are a great way for small and medium-sized businesses to meet their transportation needs. Often, especially smaller companies neither have a large transport volume nor do they have suitable means of transport. Through freight exchanges, however, they can access the supply of transport companies and cover their needs at a favorable price – without having to increase their own logistics costs.

Protection of the environment

Better utilization of transport capacities reduces CO₂ emissions and thus contributes to environmental protection.

Expansion of the customer base

It’s not just companies that benefit from freight exchanges. Freight forwarders can gain new customers through exchanges. When companies search for transportation services on a relevant platform, they have access to a wide range of carriers offering their services. Transport services thus increase their reach and acquire potential customers in various areas.

More transparency

In addition, a freight exchange also offers transparent and fair pricing. The platform allows comparing prices as well as conditions of different forwarders and to choose the best offer. This results in a competitive price that is fair to all parties.

No matter whether you want to ship within Germany or Europe: Cargoboard takes care of both the national shipping of your goods and the international shipping.

Freight exchanges, digital freight forwarders and shipping portals - what's the difference?

Freight exchanges, digital freight forwarders, shipping portals and central registers are all platforms that serve the transport of goods and commodities. However, there are some differences:

Platform	Features
Freight exchanges	Freight exchanges are platforms where transport companies and shippers can publish their needs and capacities. Both sides contact each other and carry out transport orders. Freight exchanges are usually independent platforms that are operated by third-party providers. This creates a transparent marketplace.
Online freight forwarders	Unlike traditional freight forwarders, online freight forwarders offer their transport services exclusively online. Their offer often includes other additional services such as customs clearance or shipping insurance.
Shipping portals	Shipping portals are intermediary platforms that allow companies and individuals to send packages and shipments. They often offer a simple and quick way to do this. However, usually the choice of shipping companies on shipping portals is severely limited.
Central register	Information on various forwarders and their capacities are stored here. It is therefore more of a database operated by authorities or industry associations. Companies can access these databases to obtain information about potential transport partners.

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How do freight exchanges work?

Freight exchanges are usually easy to understand, so that you can easily find a freight forwarder and get your goods on their way within a very short time.

Step 1 – Registration: In order to use the freight exchange, you must register on the platform first. To do this, you need to provide your personal and business information.

Step 2 – Publishing transport needs or capacities: Once you are registered, you can publish your offer or request. For example, if you need to transport a shipment, then we need the following details from you:

Pickup location
Delivery location
Shipping method
Weight
Freight dimensions

If you want to you offer transport capacities, provide the following information:

Available capacities
Number of vehicles
Number of containers
Possible destinations

Step 3 – Search for suitable offers or inquiries: You are looking for a freight forwarder with sufficient truck capacities within the freight exchange? Then you will find suitable providers with the entered data.
If you provide services yourself, you can also actively search for corresponding transport requests.

Step 4 – Submitting an offer or responding to an inquiry: Once you have found the right offer or inquiry for you, you can clarify the final details. For example, quote a price for transportation or ask questions about the details of the request.

Step 5 – Agreement and execution of the transport: Once both parties have agreed on the conditions, the transport is carried out. The details, such as pick-up and delivery locations, times, shipping method and freight information, are usually recorded in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

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Frequently asked questions

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