Aircraft unloading

2026.07.15

The charter guide

Find out how GEODIS leverages freight forwarding to streamline logistics, control costs, and ensure the security of shipments in environments where performance hinges on execution.

In many organizations, the challenges do not stem from transportation itself, but from its coordination. A proliferation of carriers, a lack of visibility, unpredictable lead times, and spiraling costs: these imbalances arise as soon as freight flows become variable or subject to constraints. Chartering is specifically designed to address these situations. It helps structure decision-making, align stakeholders, and prevent each shipment from becoming a special case.

Logistics flows under pressure: where are the breakpoints?
 

Companies face constraints that directly impact their logistics performance. Logistics flows are no longer linear, volumes fluctuate, lead times are tightening, and customer expectations are rising. In this context, three key friction points consistently arise:

 

  • Misalignment among stakeholders: suppliers, carriers, and warehouses do not operate at the same pace, leading to wait times and load gaps;
  • Underutilization of capacity: a partially loaded vehicle or a poor choice of freight mode results in an immediate increase in the cost per shipment;
  • Lack of visibility: Without centralized management, decisions are made too late, and unforeseen events are reacted to rather than anticipated.
     

In some networks, a load factor below 60% can increase transportation costs by more than 20%, simply due to poor resource allocation.

The role of the freight forwarder: making decisions under constraints

 

A freight forwarder does more than simply organize a shipment. They step in precisely when logistics become complex. Their role involves making operational decisions that directly impact performance. When faced with a constraint, they must:

 

  • Choose the right carrier on its actual capacity, not its theoretical capacity;
  • Adapt the mode of freight based on urgency, cost, and the nature of the goods;
  • Reorganize a flow in real time in the event of unforeseen circumstances (delays, congestion, unavailability);
  • Ensure regulatory compliance, particularly for international shipments subject to customs.
     

Let’s take an example: a supply disruption on an industrial production line may require an immediate switch to air freight. The cost is high, but remains lower than that of a production shutdown, which can exceed €50,000 per hour in certain sectors. A high-quality freight forwarder always anticipates these situations and resolves them.

Choosing the right freight mode: a performance-driven decision


The choice of transportation mode is not a matter of preference, but rather an operational trade-off. It depends on three variables: the level of urgency, the volume to be transported, and the acceptable cost. By weighing these criteria, the shipper develops the most appropriate solution. In this context, each freight mode serves a specific purpose.


Road freight offers great flexibility and direct access to delivery areas. It is well-suited for fragmented shipments and tight deadlines, provided that the load factor is optimized. A 10-point increase in a truck’s load factor can reduce the unit cost by 8 to 12%.


Ocean freight, via chartering, allows for the consolidation of volumes at a controlled cost. Maritime transport, on the other hand, requires careful planning of lead times and precise contractual management through a charter party.


Air freight is used for critical situations. It ensures the safe transport of urgent or high-value shipments, where the cost of transport becomes secondary to the operational stakes.


Rail freight and inland waterway transport allow for the consolidation of shipments over long distances. They reduce costs and the carbon footprint but require more structured upfront planning.


Multimodal transport combines these modes and reduces costs by 10 to 20 percent while maintaining competitive delivery times. In the most structured organizations, this is the most effective approach.

Structuring logistics flows to prevent operational deviations


The challenge of freight forwarding lies in structuring logistics flows to prevent deviations. Effective management allows for:

 

  • Aligning supply flows with available transport capacity;
  • To avoid unnecessary empty runs and waiting times at warehouses;
  • To consolidate volumes to improve load factors;
  • To quickly access capacity through freight exchanges when needed.
     

In practice, without proper structuring, every unforeseen event triggers a chain reaction. But with managed chartering, flows remain under control.

Digitalization and freight forwarding: moving toward optimal performance management


Digitalization improves visibility and decision-making in freight forwarding. Transportation management tools such as freight forwarding TMS solutions (Transportation Management System) help structure the business, ensure the reliability of shipments, and improve control over operations within an increasingly constrained logistics environment. Specifically, these tools enable:

 

  • Real-time visibility into freight flows, available capacity, and key shipment information;
  • Optimized decision-making based on profitability, lead times, and carrier performance;
  • Better coordination among stakeholders, from shippers to carriers, with centralised access to data;
  • Automation of document management, invoicing, and payment processes;
  • Enhanced control over operations and compliance with specific regulations, particularly regarding customs.


The result: an average reduction in transportation costs of 5 to 10 percent, thanks to more precise resource allocation and better use of data. In this model, the charterer no longer relies on intuition but uses information to make real-time decisions, tailoring each solution to operational constraints.


This shift directly impacts logistics performance. Chartering becomes a key management tool:

  • On costs, by optimizing resource allocation and reducing transportation expenses;
  • In terms of lead times, by improving responsiveness to unforeseen events and ensuring the security of flows;
  • In terms of reliability, by strengthening coordination and minimizing operational incidents.


At the network level, these gains are not marginal. They directly determine the overall performance of the supply chain and the ability to meet customer commitments.

Structuring your freight forwarding to ensure operational security

 

Poorly managed freight forwarding doesn’t just slow down the flow of goods, it disrupts it. Unstable costs, unpredictable lead times, and a lack of visibility… problems arise as soon as coordination breaks down. Conversely, a structured freight operation allows you to align operations, secure shipments, and stabilize performance. This is precisely where GEODIS comes in: analyzing flows, selecting carriers, optimizing freight modes, and providing real-time management. The goal is clear: reduce disruptions, optimize resources, and ensure reliable execution. The issue is no longer simply transporting goods, but managing your logistics flows to guarantee on-time delivery, control costs, and absorb unforeseen events without disrupting the entire supply chain.

 

Take stock now to set up a truly effective freight forwarding system.

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