12 Reasons Why You Need LCL Shipping

Emerging and established businesses need a variety of logistics solutions. One of them is less than container load or LCL shipping. This game-changing freight service enables business owners to share cargo space with other shippers or consignors, effectively lowering logistics costs and optimizing shipment time. This eliminates the pressure of filling a massive shipping container, a dilemma that many small and medium-sized enterprises frequently encounter. This way, you can maintain ideal inventory levels, protect your product integrity, and cut back on high upfront manufacturing and transport costs.

Every entrepreneur can enjoy diverse added benefits when they adapt LCL cargo shipping. Explore how this strategic freight forwarding service can drive your business forward.

12 Reasons Why LCL Shipping in the Philippines is Essential to Your Business

1. Enhanced cost-efficiency

LCL is regarded as a cost-efficient choice for small volumes of shipment. An LCL freight forwarder calculates shipping costs by the weight (metric tons) and/or volume (cubic meters) of your cargo. The more space you take up, the more you pay. This is precisely why businesses can save on shipping expenses and remain competitive in their respective markets.

2. Flexible delivery solutions

Cargo shipping services can come with versatile delivery solutions. For instance, an LCL shipping company can immediately deliver goods straight to the recipient via auxiliary trucking services, or they can prepare them for pickup at the destination port.

Some of the common delivery services you can avail are:

  • Pier to Pier
  • Door to Pier
  • Pier to Door
  • Door to Door

3. Freight consolidation

The most prominent feature of LCL shipping in the Philippines is that it allows freight consolidation. Shipping costs are split among different consignors. No need to fill and pay for an entire container’s worth when you only have a couple of boxes or palletized goods. Additionally, LCL sea freight consolidation lets you be more agile. With routine shipment schedules and turnaround times, it is easy to stay on top of order fulfillment and delivery times.

4. Increased domestic presence

LCL is also perfect for business owners diversifying into new markets. Even without spending on physical logistics facilities or infrastructures, businesses can still tap into regional networks through a reliable LCL shipping company. You can seamlessly integrate destinations that they have already established across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 

For instance, partnering with Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Inc. enables you to create and maintain a loyal customer base along our freighter routes. Ship your goods from Manila to Visayas and Mindanao through:

  • Manila to Cebu and vice versa
  • Manila to CDO and vice versa
  • Manila to Davao and vice versa
  • Manila to General Santos and vice versa
  • Manila to Zamboanga and vice versa
  • Manila to Ozamiz and vice versa (via Cebu)*
  • Manila to Iligan and vice versa (via Cebu)*
  • Manila to Iloilo and vice versa
  • Manila to Tagbilaran and vice versa
  • Manila to Masbate and vice versa

We also operate regularly between major ports in Visayas and Mindanao, including Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Davao, General Santos, and Zamboanga. 

  • General Santos to Davao
  • General Santos to CDO
  • Zamboanga to CDO
  • Zamboanga to Cebu
  • Davao to Cebu
  • Davao to Zamboanga
  • Davao to CDO

5. Expansion opportunities for MSMEs

Not all businesses are equipped for rapid expansion. For micro, small, and medium enterprises,  LCL cargo shipping is a key tool for reaching customers and potential markets beyond their geographic location. It allows them to send and receive small batches of products without the need to commit to a full container load (FCL) or invest in high-cost expansion strategies.

6. Secure cargo shipping

When it comes to cargo shipping security, consolidation and deconsolidation often becomes a point for concern. With LCL shipping, business owners are assured that their goods are carefully handled by specialists. Cargo handlers are trained to apply the necessary handling techniques. Common examples include proper weight distribution, palletization, labeling, dunnage and void fill, lashings, and choking. 

7. Reduced inventory costs

The nature of less than container load shipping helps small and medium enterprises avoid holding excess stock and maintain optimal inventory levels. This also means better cash flow, lower warehousing fees, and streamlined supply chain capacity. Your business can also leverage just-in-time (JIT) logistics by fulfilling shipment as soon as they reach the end of the production line. 

8. Real-time monitoring and tracking

Industries with fast and high demand, such as ecommerce and retail, require excellent freight visibility. For this reason, it is essential to select a reliable LCL freight forwarder that values transparency. Choose services with real-time cargo monitoring and tracking, as well as timely customer service solutions.

Shipping providers like Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, for instance, sends out instant loading and arrival confirmation for freighters, while general cargo shippers are notified in case of unsuccessful loading. 

9. Improved customer relations

Cargo shipping is not just essential for B2B operations, but also B2C, mid, and last mile deliveries. With the rise of micro-fulfillment centers across the country, LCL shipping in the Philippines has become an efficient choice for maintaining customer satisfaction. It strengthens your relationship with clients at local delivery points by ensuring:

  • Healthy inventory levels
  • Faster local delivery time
  • Lower carbon footprint per item
  • Fulfilled customer demands
  • Lowered risk of damage during deconsolidation

10. Predictable shipping schedules

LCL cargo is typically shipped according to a regular schedule, ranging from once to multiple times a week, depending on the destination. This means less wait time for standard shipments. Peak season and holidays, on the other hand, can present more challenges for any business. Fortunately, you can coordinate with your chosen LCL shipping company for urgent goods, which they can grant priority shipment for.

11. Sustainable shipping choices

LCL ocean freight is the greener choice, emitting 103.5 times less carbon (CO2) compared to air freight. Optimized routes and number of trips not only splits emissions between consignors or shippers, but also lowers the fuel consumption of shipping companies. Many LCL freight forwarders today are now integrating environmentally-friendly fuel management, energy-efficient equipment, and biodegradable packaging choices. 

12. Automatic cargo insurance coverage

Businesses who avail LCL are automatically covered by marine cargo insurance. This adds an extra layer of protection for your items, protecting you from potential financial losses borne by unwanted circumstances during shipment. Although various external cargo insurance products exist, Trans-Asia Shipping Lines insures your shipment according to the maximum declared value. Clients who wish to go above the threshold can opt to pay an additional premium.

As consumer demands grow and market trends change, less than container load shipping remains flexible enough to adapt to your needs. With the expertise of a reliable shipping company, you can achieve your business goals efficiently, and at the same time, enjoy cost-saving benefits, streamlined operations, and improved client relationships. 

ALSO READ: Your Complete Guide to Navigating Less than Container Load Shipping to Visayas and Mindanao

Looking for a trusted LCL provider? Trans-Asia Shipping Lines offers a broad scope of cargo services, including LCL, FCL (20 ft, 40 ft), Out-of-Gauge (OOG), break bulk, palletized, rolling cargoes, and refrigerated vans. Our cargo handling, delivery, and onboard personnel are adequately trained in handling various goods, ranging from standard dry, to fragile, and even certain dangerous goods. 

Need a quote for your cargo? Click here to drop us a line today!