What is forwarding? Definition of freight forwarding.

Forwarding company - what is it and what range of services does it offer?

A forwarding company (freight forwarder, freight forwarding agency) is an indispensable element of modern logistics, enabling efficient and effective organization of transport processes. Its role includes planning, organizing, monitoring and optimizing deliveries to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of cargo to its destination. It is an intermediary between producers and customers, ensuring that the entire logistics process runs smoothly.

Freight forwarding is a key component of logistics that enables the efficient transportation of goods from origin to destination. Our forwarding company has more than 30 specialized forwarding branches throughout Poland, ready to realize transport and logistics services at the highest level. We would like to introduce what freight forwarding does and what freight forwarding services we provide at our company.

Functions of a forwarding company

1. Planning and organization: the forwarding company is responsible for selecting the best route for transportation, taking into account various aspects such as distance, type of goods and availability of means of transportation. In addition, it coordinates loading, unloading and storage activities.
2. Documentation and paperwork: The transportation process involves a lot of documentation and customs and legal formalities. The freight forwarding company makes sure that all documents are in order and in compliance with regulations, thus avoiding delays and problems at the borders.
3. Monitoring and response: shipping companies track the progress of a shipment in real time. This allows them to react quickly to potential problems, such as delays or breakdowns, minimizing the negative impact on the entire delivery process.
4. Cost optimization: Effective cost management is key in logistics. The shipping company strives to minimize transportation costs by selecting optimal routes, consolidating loads and negotiating with transportation providers.
5. Logistics consulting: Professional freight forwarding companies not only perform operational tasks, but also act as advisors to their clients. With their knowledge and experience, they help optimize the supply chain and implement effective logistics strategies.

What is freight forwarding? Definition of forwarding.

Freight forwarding is the service of arranging the movement of cargo using appropriately selected routes, means and modes of transportation, for example, through road, air and rail transport, resulting in the delivery of goods from the sender to the consignee. This is a key element in the field of logistics, which enables efficient international and nationwide transportation. Specialized employees - forwarders - are behind the performance of such services. Thanks to the forwarding process, the customer's goods are delivered safely and on time to their destination.

Our forwarding branches throughout Poland

Our company has more than 30 forwarding branches located in all provinces in Poland. Our branches located in Gdansk, Bydgoszcz, Poznan, Lodz and Warsaw, among others, specialize in various types of forwarding to provide comprehensive logistics services tailored to the needs of each customer on an individual basis. Check out all our branches and find out what they specialize in!

Types of Forwarding

The forwarding process itself involves many different types of transportation, which are tailored to the specifics of the cargo. Here are some of the most important types of forwarding:

- Sea Forwarding: The transportation of goods, in which goods are transported by sea using container ships or other vessels.

- Air Forwarding: The transportation of goods by aircraft, guaranteeing fast and efficient transportation over long distances.

- Road Forwarding: The organization of the transportation of goods by road, usually using trucks.

- Rail Forwarding: The transportation of goods by rail, ensuring efficient transportation over long distances. Omida uses its New Silk Road Network membership for this purpose, which opens up transportation opportunities around the world and supports supply chain partners.

Road forwarding

Road forwarding plays a key role in the transportation of goods. Road freight forwarding is the process of organizing and managing the transportation of cargo by road. Road forwarding is widely used at both the national and international levels, enabling the efficient and rapid transportation of goods.

Advantages of Road Forwarding

Road forwarding offers a number of advantages for both carriers and issuing companies. Here are some of the main advantages:

- Speed: Road shipping is often more efficient for short- and medium-haul shipments, ensuring quick delivery of goods to the consignee.

- Flexibility: Road modes of transportation are more flexible and accessible compared to some other modes, allowing for easier adaptation to changing needs and schedules.

- Suitable for various cargoes: Road freight forwarding is suitable for a wide range of goods, whether weather-sensitive or dangerous cargo that requires special security measures.

- Monitoring and tracking: Road carriers often offer monitoring and tracking services to keep track of the location of goods and provide customers with up-to-date information.

- Accessibility: Roads are widely accessible and developed, making it easy to arrange for the transportation of goods in different regions.

Sea freight forwarding

Another important type of freight forwarding is sea freight forwarding. It involves the organization of transportation by sea using different types of ships that are adapted to transport a specific type of cargo. Sea forwarding makes it possible to transport large quantities of goods over long distances, which is especially useful for international trade.

Air forwarding

Air forwarding is the process of organizing and coordinating the transportation of goods by air. Through the use of aircraft, it enables the rapid delivery of goods over long distances, using a global network of airlines and specialized containers or cargo planes. It is an efficient way to transport high-value cargo, ensuring safe and timely delivery around the world.

International Forwarding

International forwarding is particularly important in global trade, enabling the transportation of goods between different countries. Our company specializes in international forwarding, and has the knowledge and experience needed to successfully organize transportation on a global scale, using major trade routes and proven connections between Poland and other countries in Europe and Asia.

Forwarder - Definition. Who is a freight forwarder?

A freight forwarder is a person who professionally organizes the movement of cargo, providing freight forwarding services for a fee on his own behalf or on behalf of a specific entity. We distinguish such terms as principal forwarder, further forwarder and substitute forwarder. A principal forwarder is an entrepreneur who has accepted a forwarding order and entered into a forwarding contract with his principal. A substitute forwarder is an entity to which the principal forwarder delegates the entire task, while a downstream forwarder is an entity that works with the principal forwarder, picking up and carrying out the delegated part of the duties. A person working as a freight forwarder should be well acquainted with the TSL industry. Freight forwarders have a broad knowledge of the transport market and negotiate the terms and conditions of freight transportation, create contracts and ensure a smooth flow of information between all parties involved.

Duties of a Freight Forwarder

A freight forwarder has a wide spectrum of responsibilities. The key tasks of a freight forwarding process worker include:

- Organization of transportation: The freight forwarder is responsible for organizing and planning the transportation of goods from the point of shipment to the final destination. He takes into account various factors, such as the type of goods, distance, delivery date and customer preferences.

- Selection of means of transportation: The freight forwarder makes the appropriate choice of transportation mode, taking into account the nature of the goods, distance, deadlines and customer requirements. This may include transportation by road, sea, air or rail.

- Communication with external parties: The freight forwarder maintains regular contact with the various parties involved in the freight process, such as carriers, customs agents, warehouses, customers and other business partners. It ensures a smooth flow of information and coordination of activities.

- Negotiations and contracts: The freight forwarder negotiates the terms and conditions of transporting goods, such as prices, deadlines, insurance terms and other details. Creates agreements and contracts to establish the rights and obligations of all parties.

- Forwarding documentation: the freight forwarder prepares the necessary forwarding documentation, such as bills of lading, invoices, certificates of origin, customs documents, etc. He ensures that the documents are correct and complete.

- Freight monitoring: The freight forwarder tracks and monitors the carriage of goods, providing up-to-date information on the location and progress of delivery. If necessary, he takes corrective action to ensure timely delivery.

Customer requirements that the freight forwarder must meet

Any transportation process organized before freight forwarders should meet 4 basic requirements set by clients. These are, in turn:

- Timeliness - the most important issue is the delivery of cargo to the consignee at the appointed time;

- Certainty - the holder of the transport gesture must be guaranteed that the implementation of the transport process will take place without obstacles that will prevent the timely delivery of goods to the consignee,

- Safety - the use of means and equipment that will secure the shipment and the confidence that transport contractors will make adequate efforts to ensure the safety of the cargo;

- Economic attractiveness - the price for transportation execution should satisfy the principal.

Source: Forwarder's handbook: transport, forwarding, logistics. T. 1, D. Marciniak-Neiderm, J.Neider, J.Bomba et al, Edition VII, Gdynia, 2020

Forwarding documents

Forwarding documents are an integral part of international forwarding. The required documents vary depending on the country and type of goods, but can include a commercial invoice, bill of lading, sea waybill, certificates of origin and many others. These documents are important both for customs purposes and for tracking the shipment during transport.

Who is a contract carrier?

A contract carrier is an entity that enters into a contract of carriage and can issue its own bill of lading. However, he does not perform the physical movement of the goods himself, which is handled, according to his order, by the actual carrier. However, it is the contract carrier who is responsible to his principal for ensuring that the shipment is delivered to the contractual place and at the contractual time. The role of the contract carrier, assuming its rights and obligations, is most often performed by freight forwarders.

What is the difference between freight forwarding and forwarding?

The terms “freight forwarding” and “transportation forwarding” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two that may be relevant to your business.

Freight forwarding:

Freight forwarding is a general term referring to the process of organizing, managing and supervising the transportation of goods from origin to destination. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including route planning, freight reservations, preparation of transport documents, customs clearance, freight tracking and many other logistics-related aspects.

Transportation forwarding:

Transportation forwarding is a more specific aspect of freight forwarding. It mainly focuses on the very process of organizing and managing the transportation of goods, or transportation. Transportation forwarders focus on choosing the right means of transportation, determining routes, setting delivery dates, negotiating with carriers and ensuring that the transport goes according to plan.

The difference between the two terms is that transportation forwarding focuses more on the operational aspect of transporting goods, while general forwarding also includes many other logistics-related activities, such as warehousing, customs and document management.

At our freight forwarding company, we offer a comprehensive range of services in both general forwarding and freight forwarding. Thanks to our experience and knowledge, we are able to customize our services to meet your individual needs and ensure effective logistics management of your business, regardless of the industry or type of goods.

What Distinguishes a Good Transportation Company?

Choosing the right transportation company is crucial to the efficient and reliable transportation of goods. There are many factors that distinguish a good transportation company from others. Here are a few key qualities to look out for:

1. Experience and Expertise: A good transportation company has a track record of years of experience in the industry. This means they have the knowledge and skills needed to solve even the most complex logistics problems. Expertise in transportation is a guarantee of smooth and safe transportation.

2. Diversity of Fleet: A transportation company should have a variety of means of transportation that can be adapted to different types of cargo and customer requirements. This allows for flexibility and efficiency in the organization of transportation.

3. Safety: Safety is an absolute priority. A good transportation company applies strict safety standards, both during transportation and in the storage area. Regular technical inspections and attention to the technical condition of vehicles are key elements.

4. Timeliness: on-time delivery is one of the most important aspects. A good transportation company is known for on-time deliveries, which is crucial in today's business market, where time often plays a key role.

5. Additional Services: In addition to basic transportation services, a good transportation company also offers additional services, such as cargo monitoring, cargo insurance and logistics support. These are additional facilities that translate into customer satisfaction.

6. Reliability and Communication: Reliability and clear communication are the qualities that distinguish the best transportation companies. Customers should be kept informed of the status of the shipment, and the company should be available for questions or problems.

7. References and Reviews: Before making a choice, it's a good idea to check references and reviews from other customers.

8. Availability and Scope of Services: The transportation company should offer its services over a wide area, both domestically and internationally. This allows customers to be flexible and have services available where they are needed.

A good transportation company is distinguished by its experience, safety, timeliness and flexibility. The right transportation partner like Omida VLS can make a significant difference in the success of your business.

Forwarding Companies Poland

In the heart of Europe, Poland plays a key role as a logistics hub, connecting eastern and western markets. Forwarding companies in Poland are an important part of this dynamic sector, offering not only domestic but also international transportation of goods. Thanks to its strategic location, Polish freight forwarding companies are able to ensure the efficient and rapid movement of cargo across the continent.

Diversity and Adaptation to Market Needs

The freight forwarding market in Poland is characterized by a wide variety of services, from road, rail, sea and air freight. Forwarding companies in Poland specialize in tailoring their services to the specific needs of their customers, regardless of the size or type of cargo. As a result, they are able to meet the expectations of even the most demanding business partners.

Innovation and Technological Development

Polish freight forwarding companies are constantly investing in new technologies to streamline logistics processes and increase their transparency. The use of advanced transport management systems, real-time tracking of shipments and optimization of shipping routes are just some examples of the innovations they are introducing.

Forwarding Companies in Poland - TSL Ranking

Poland, being a strategic point on the transport map, is home to many companies in the TSL sector. Omida VLS stands out against this background, offering world-class services. We are proud to be recognized as one of the largest freight forwarding companies in Poland, which was confirmed by our place in the prestigious TSL 2022 ranking, the ranking of the best TSL companies in 2023 and the Gryf Gospodarczy 2022 competition.

International Forwarding Company - Omida VLS

Omida VLS, which is a transportation and freight forwarding company, is a key player in the international transportation industry. Offering a wide range of services, from sea and air freight forwarding to rail and road transport, the company is able to ensure the efficient movement of goods around the world.

In addition to standard transportation services, Omida VLS also offers additional solutions such as logistics consulting, supply chain management, intermodal transportation and customized logistics solutions. These services are essential for the efficient operation of organized logistics routes and operations.

Omida VLS, as an international freight forwarding company. With our help, your goods will safely reach their destination, no matter where in the world they are. We ensure that each shipment is treated with the utmost care, making us not only a service provider, but a partner in the import and export of goods. Take advantage of our services and achieve better results in managing shipping services for your company.

And how is a logistics company different from a freight forwarding company?

A logistics company and a freight forwarding company, although often cooperating and operating in a similar area, differ in the scope of services provided. A logistics company deals extensively with the management of the entire supply chain, which includes not only transportation, but also warehousing, inventory management, packaging and other services related to the flow of goods. A shipping company, on the other hand, mainly focuses on organizing and coordinating the transportation of goods between different points. While a logistics company offers end-to-end solutions covering the entire process of delivering goods from the producer to the consignee, a freight forwarding company focuses on the efficient and optimal transportation of goods within established routes and schedules.

Freight forwarding company - Omida VLS sustainability

Omida VLS, as an experienced transportation and shipping company, is actively involved in the “Fit for 55” initiative, part of the European Union's ambitious green transformation plan. The “Fit for 55” package aims to bring EU policies in line with climate goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. In this context, Omida VLS is focusing on spreading the idea of environmentally friendly transportation, such as intermodal transport. It plays a key role in achieving sustainable and efficient logistics solutions. By integrating different modes of transportation, such as road, rail and sea, the company is helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation industry while increasing the efficiency of transportation.

Summary

Freight forwarding is a service that makes it possible to organize the transportation of goods from shipper to consignee. It involves the selection of appropriate routes, means and modes of transportation. Finding the right freight forwarding partner is crucial for the efficient and safe transportation of goods. Our transportation company specializes in road forwarding, offering fast and reliable transportation solutions. With our experience and advanced fleet of vehicles, we are able to meet the diverse logistical needs of our customers. Get in touch with us today.

We look forward to working with Omida VLS

If you are looking for a reliable logistics and freight forwarding partner to handle your cargoes, we invite you to contact Omida VLS. Contact us today to discuss your logistics needs and learn more about our solutions!