Do you know the difference between accompanied and unaccompanied shipping? In accompanied shipping, a driver stays with the cargo from the pick-up point to the drop-off location. In contrast, unaccompanied shipping involves detaching the loaded trailer from the truck at a RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping port. The trailer is then shipped to a port closest to the final destination, where another driver picks it up and brings it to its endpoint. The unaccompanied option offers several signification benefits.
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4 reasons why unaccompanied shipping is the better option
1. Fewer kilometres driven
Unaccompanied shipping drastically reduces the amount of kilometres driven. For instance, even if the distance between the pick-up location and the port of Zeebrugge (BE) is greater than the distance to the port of Calais (FR), the kilometers saved on the UK mainland compensate for this difference, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions from trucks.
Consider shipping three full truck loads (FTL) per day from Antwerp (BE) to Northampton (UK). With accompanied shipping, the goods are picked up in Antwerp, driven to the port of Calais, transported across the English Channel via LeShuttle, and then driven from Folkestone (UK) to Northampton. The driver then returns to Folkestone.
In unaccompanied shipping, the driver picks up the goods in Antwerp and drops off the loaded trailer at the RORO terminal in Zeebrugge. The trailer is then shipped to Purfleet (UK), the port closest to the final destination. A UK carrier drives the trailer to Northampton and returns it to Purfleet after unloading.
These journeys are measured in kilometres as follows:
This approach reduces the number of kilometres driven by 366 per FTL shipment. For 3 shipments a day, or roughly 720 shipments a year, the savings amount to 263,000 kilometres annually.
2. Reduced traffic congestion
Fewer kilometres driven also means less traffic congestion, which has several benefits:
- Environmental: Reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Societal: Lower congestion reduces stress levels, accident risks, and air pollution, enhancing public health.
- Economic: Less congestion decreases the need for road maintenance and improves overall productivity by reducing time lost in traffic.
3. Greater flexibility
Unaccompanied shipping offers a range of route customisation options. Loaded trailers can be shipped to the port closest to the final destination. In contrast, accompanied shipping typically involves ferry or LeShuttle transport from northern France to either Dover or Folkestone, followed by road transport to the final destination.
With unaccompanied shipping, the trailer remains at the terminal upon arrival at the port, such as Hull on Tuesday, and is stored securely. A UK haulier can then be scheduled to transport the trailer to its final destination as per the customer’s needs
4. More cost-efficient
All the above benefits contribute to cost savings:
- Fewer kilometres on the road significantly reduces transport costs.
- Flexible planning eliminates driver wait times, reducing wage expenses.
Want to know more about unaccompanied shipping?