Get to know the vital terms of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
FCL, short for Full Container Load, is the shipping method in logistics wherein one shipper books an entire container entirely for his/her cargo. It’s like renting an entire vehicle, which literally means nothing else will be on board to share space with the shipment. FCL can be used for large shipments that can fill up the container or when a company wants the security and simplicity of having its cargo handled separately from others.
The shipper books an entire container for his cargo in FCL, that is, cargo is not shared with other shipments. In this manner, control of loading, handling, and unloading products is much better.
FCL is cost-effective if a consignment is enough to fill the box or closely get to filling the box. Although it’s quite pricey to book the whole box, it becomes cheaper per unit when shipping large quantities of goods.
Since there is no other shipment placed in the container, the risks of damage from other goods are minimal. Therefore, FCL can be considered safer for items that are sensitive, fragile, or highly valued.
FCL freight has the advantage of having shorter transit times compared to the shared containers since it is not exposed to multiple stops for loading and unloading as it happens with shared containers. Cargo is only loaded once then straight to its destination.
FCL is the best shipping solution for companies moving bulky or expensive freight that needs the full capacity of the container. It is far safer due to the lesser handling and therefore fewer chances of damage, and can be greatly cheaper for high-volume shipments, which makes it extremely popular for international shipping.