GLOSSARY

Freight & Cargo Transportation Glossary (A–Z)

3PL (Third-Party Logistics)
A company that provides outsourced logistics services including transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, and supply chain management. (Includes variations such as 3PL providers, 3PL companies, 3PL service providers, etc.)

3PL Fulfillment Services
Outsourced services including storage, inventory management, picking, packing, and shipping handled by a third-party logistics provider.

3PL Management
The oversight and coordination of third-party logistics providers to ensure efficient supply chain operations.

3PL Shipping
Shipping services managed by a third-party logistics provider, including transportation, tracking, and delivery coordination.

3PL Storage
Inventory storage services provided within third-party logistics warehouse facilities.

3PL Transport
Transportation services coordinated or managed by a third-party logistics provider.

3PL Warehouse

A warehouse operated by a third-party logistics provider for inventory storage and fulfillment.

3PL Warehousing and Distribution
Third-party services focused on storing goods and distributing them to customers or retail locations.

4PL (Fourth-Party Logistics)
A provider that oversees the entire supply chain, often managing multiple 3PL providers.

Air Waybill (AWB)
A contract and receipt issued by an airline for air cargo shipments.

Backhaul
A return trip where a truck carries cargo after completing a delivery.

Bill of Lading (BOL)
A legal document detailing shipment contents, origin, and destination.

Break Bulk Cargo
Goods shipped individually rather than in containers.

Broker / Freight Brokerage
An intermediary that connects shippers with carriers but does not transport goods.

Cargo Delivery Company
A business specializing in transporting and delivering goods locally, nationally, or internationally.

Cargo Logistics
The management, handling, and transportation of goods across the supply chain.

Carrier
A company responsible for physically transporting freight.

Consignee
The party receiving the shipment.

Consignor (Shipper)
The party sending the shipment.

Cross-Docking
Direct transfer of goods from inbound to outbound transportation with minimal storage.

Customer Service in Logistics
Support services including communication, tracking updates, and issue resolution.

Deadhead
Truck movement without cargo.

Demurrage
Fees charged when cargo remains at a port beyond allowed free time.

Detention
Charges for holding containers or trailers longer than agreed outside a terminal.

Drayage
Short-distance transport between ports, rail yards, and warehouses.

Dry Van
Standard enclosed trailer used for general freight.

Expedited Logistics / Expedited Shipping / Expedited Freight
Time-sensitive logistics services focused on faster delivery.

Express Logistics Services
Fast delivery logistics services designed for quick turnaround.

Final Mile Delivery (Last Mile Delivery)
The final stage of delivery from a hub to the end customer.

Flatbed & Specialized Freight
Transportation for oversized or heavy cargo requiring special equipment.

Freight Class
A classification system used to determine shipping rates.

Freight Forwarder
A company that organizes shipments and manages documentation and customs.

Freight Logistics
The planning and coordination of transporting goods efficiently.

Freight Management Services
Services focused on optimizing freight movement, cost control, and carrier selection.

Freight Transportation Companies
Businesses that move goods via truck, rail, air, or ocean.

Full Truckload (FTL)
A shipment that uses the full capacity of a truck.

Inbound and Outbound Logistics

• Inbound: Movement of goods into a business
• Outbound: Movement of goods to customers

Intermodal
Transportation using multiple modes without handling the cargo itself.

Less Than Truckload (LTL)
A shipment that shares space with others in one truck.

Local Freight Delivery
Short-distance freight transportation within a region.

Local Logistics
Logistics services within a defined geographic area.

Local Pickup and Delivery Service
Short-distance services for picking up and delivering goods locally.

Local Trucking Companies
Regional carriers providing short- to mid-distance transportation.

Logistics Agent
A representative coordinating shipments, documentation, and communication.

Logistics as a Service (LaaS)
On-demand or subscription-based logistics services using digital platforms.

Logistics Brokerage
Another term for freight brokerage.

Logistics Company
A business that manages the movement, storage, and flow of goods.

Logistics Consulting
Advisory services to optimize logistics and supply chain operations.

Logistics Delivery Company
A business that manages and executes delivery operations.

Logistics Group
A company or collective offering logistics services across regions.

Logistics Management
Planning and execution of transportation and storage operations.

Logistics Management Company
A company specializing in optimizing logistics operations.

Logistics Network Optimization
Improving efficiency by optimizing routes, warehouses, and transport methods.

Logistics Partners
Third-party providers collaborating across the supply chain.

Logistics Provider
A company offering transportation, warehousing, and supply chain services.

Logistics Services
Activities involved in transporting, storing, and distributing goods.

Logistics Solutions
Customized logistics services tailored to business needs.

Logistics Transportation Services
Services focused on planning and executing goods movement efficiently.

Logistics Trucking Services
Trucking combined with logistics coordination and management.

Logistics Warehouse
Facilities used for storage and fulfillment operations.

Managed Transportation
A service where a provider manages all transportation activities.

Nationwide Freight / Nationwide Warehousing
Services available across an entire country.

Network Logistics
A logistics approach using interconnected carriers and warehouses.

Pallet
A flat platform used to stack and transport goods.

Proof of Delivery (POD)
Documentation confirming successful delivery.

Reefer (Refrigerated Truck)
A temperature-controlled trailer for perishable goods.

Refrigerated Logistics
Temperature-controlled transport and storage.

Reverse Logistics
The movement of goods backward through the supply chain.

Reverse Logistics Companies
Businesses specializing in returns, recycling, and repairs.

Shipment Consolidation
Combining smaller shipments into one to reduce costs.

Shipping and Logistics
Coordination of transportation and supply chain management.

Shipping Logistics
Coordination of shipping goods from origin to destination.

Supply Chain Logistics
Management of the entire flow of goods, information, and resources.

Supply Chain Transportation
Movement of goods across the entire supply chain.

Tariff
A published list of shipping rates and fees.

TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit)
A standard unit for measuring container capacity.

Third Party Fulfillment (3PL Fulfillment)
Outsourced order fulfillment services.

Trucking Logistics
Logistics operations focused on truck-based freight.

Transport & Logistics
A broad term covering movement and management of goods.

Transport Logistics
Planning and execution of goods movement.

Transportation and Warehousing
Core logistics components involving movement and storage.

Transportation Management in Logistics
Planning and optimizing transportation within logistics.

Transit Time
Total time required for a shipment to reach its destination.

Transloading Services
Transferring goods between transportation modes.

Warehouse Logistics
Management of storage, inventory, and operations.

Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Software used to manage warehouse operations.

Warehousing & Distribution
Storage of goods and delivery to end destinations.



Warehousing and Storage
Holding goods in a facility before distribution.