A few empty pallet spaces inside a truck may look insignificant. In logistics, however, unused capacity can represent a real economic opportunity.
When a truck is already travelling along a particular route, its remaining capacity can sometimes be used for additional or consolidated cargo.
For the carrier, this means making better use of an already scheduled vehicle and potentially generating additional revenue. For the customer, it can mean paying only for the space actually required instead of booking an entire truck.
🚛 Why does it matter?
Empty running is a major efficiency issue in road transport.
According to Eurostat, in 2023, empty vehicles accounted for 21.8% of all vehicle-kilometres performed by road freight vehicles in the EU. For international transport, the figure was lower at 13.1%.
This is why logistics operators continuously look for ways to use available capacity more efficiently - including return loads, compatible additional shipments and consolidated freight.
📦 How does it work?
Imagine a truck travelling from Poland to the United Kingdom with a main shipment, while several pallet spaces remain available.
If compatible cargo is available along the same or a suitable route, it may be added to the existing transport operation.
The result can be straightforward:
better vehicle utilisation → additional efficiency for the carrier → potentially lower transport costs for the customer.
However, consolidation is not suitable for every shipment. Weight, dimensions, cargo characteristics, temperature requirements, customs procedures and route planning all have to be considered.
That is why unused space is more than an empty area inside a trailer.
In professional logistics, available capacity is a resource - and good planning can turn that resource into savings.
At LOADSTAR, we analyse available transport capacity and routes to identify efficient solutions, from dedicated vehicles to groupage and consolidated shipments.
When a truck is already travelling along a particular route, its remaining capacity can sometimes be used for additional or consolidated cargo.
For the carrier, this means making better use of an already scheduled vehicle and potentially generating additional revenue. For the customer, it can mean paying only for the space actually required instead of booking an entire truck.
🚛 Why does it matter?
Empty running is a major efficiency issue in road transport.
According to Eurostat, in 2023, empty vehicles accounted for 21.8% of all vehicle-kilometres performed by road freight vehicles in the EU. For international transport, the figure was lower at 13.1%.
This is why logistics operators continuously look for ways to use available capacity more efficiently - including return loads, compatible additional shipments and consolidated freight.
📦 How does it work?
Imagine a truck travelling from Poland to the United Kingdom with a main shipment, while several pallet spaces remain available.
If compatible cargo is available along the same or a suitable route, it may be added to the existing transport operation.
The result can be straightforward:
better vehicle utilisation → additional efficiency for the carrier → potentially lower transport costs for the customer.
However, consolidation is not suitable for every shipment. Weight, dimensions, cargo characteristics, temperature requirements, customs procedures and route planning all have to be considered.
That is why unused space is more than an empty area inside a trailer.
In professional logistics, available capacity is a resource - and good planning can turn that resource into savings.
At LOADSTAR, we analyse available transport capacity and routes to identify efficient solutions, from dedicated vehicles to groupage and consolidated shipments.
