Types of cargo

What is cargo? It refers to any product or goods that are transported by air, water, or land using various types of transport. There are different types of cargo, which are divided into several groups and can be categorized based on their primary properties, application fields, or other parameters of the transported goods. To avoid confusion with all these definitions, let's break down where everything comes from and why it's needed.

Types of Cargo Transportation: Classification and Features

The first classification is based on the physical state of the cargo — it has three forms: solid, liquid, and gaseous. The solid category includes goods that can be transported in bulk, as individual units, packed in a transport package, or in a container, as well as heavy bulky items. If the transported cargo is in a liquid or gaseous state, it can be carried in containers designed for this purpose or in specialized transport vehicles.

The next type of cargo is determined by the presence of packaging and is divided into packaged and unpackaged cargo. For the first group, transportation is simpler since the goods can be shipped individually. If needed, all that's left to do is to assemble a package, place it in a container, or load it onto a pallet.

For transporting unpackaged items, additional measures may be required, such as separate packaging, assembling a wooden crate, or placing the items in a common container for protection during transportation. Liquids and gases without containers (like buckets, barrels, cylinders, etc.) require the use of tankers and gas carriers. Cement, flour, and other finely ground goods without packaging are transported in bunkers with a tight lid to prevent moisture from entering and to avoid the "dusting" effect during vehicle movement.

The next classification of cargo is based on the weight of a single cargo unit and is as follows:

• Standard weight for a single unit of goods is considered to be no more than 250 kg for standard items. Rolled products such as barrels, reels, and cables may have a weight limit of up to 500 kg.
• Increased weight — when the weight of items exceeds the parameters described above. For individual units, the weight limit is up to 30 tons.
• Heavyweight category — single solid items with a weight above 30 tons. While the first categories can be transported by regular vehicles, this group requires the use of heavy-duty machines and specialized equipment. Additionally, it will be necessary to obtain a transportation permit from the road authorities and coordinate the route with traffic inspection services.

If you’re already feeling overwhelmed — reach out to "Mak Trans," and we'll be happy to assist you with any delivery within Ukraine and abroad. We offer a wide range of services at reasonable rates.

Types of Cargo for Transportation

To make it easier to select the right vehicle, goods are categorized based on their properties. Here are the types of cargo classified this way:

• Perishable Goods. These items have a limited shelf life. Special conditions are required during transportation, such as maintaining specific temperature, humidity, pressure, and constant ventilation. This category includes food products, medicines, meat, fruits, chemical compounds, and more.
• Bulk and Loose Cargo. Solid goods of small size that can be transported in bulk. Examples include scrap metal, grains of all types, ores, crushed stone, soil, sand, other minerals, and industrial waste.
• Piece (General) Cargo. Items that can be transported individually or in batches, with or without packaging.
• Oversized Cargo. Items with dimensions exceeding the allowable width, length, height, or weight limits. This group is divided into two subcategories — large-sized (with high dimensional parameters) and heavyweight (exceeding weight limits).
• Gaseous Cargo. Can be transported in compressed or liquefied form. This primarily includes gases like propane, nitrogen, oxygen, or gaseous chemical compounds. They can be transported in cylinders or gas carriers.
• Powdered Goods. Substances with fine particles may disperse during transportation, so they are carried in sealed containers or specialized transport vehicles. Common examples include flour, cement, lime, and various chemical components and compounds.
• Liquid Cargo. These include liquid products from the food, chemical, and petroleum industries. They can be transported in buckets, barrels, containers, or other vessels, as well as in tanker trucks. Examples include water, milk, gasoline, oils of various origins, etc.
• Hazardous Goods. Products from various industries that can be harmful to humans and the environment. They require not only extreme caution during transportation but also special driver training. These substances can be solid, liquid, or gaseous. Vehicles must have special markings and labels corresponding to their hazard class.
• Consolidated Cargo. This type involves transporting several types of cargo for different clients. The size of the shipments can vary.
• Live Cargo. The transportation of livestock, poultry, fish, and other animals is carried out in specialized vehicles, cages, trailers, or tanks.

The transport company "Mak Trans" handles all categories of cargo, has the necessary permits, and its staff is appropriately trained. If you want to transport any of the types of goods listed, our company is ready to provide the required assistance. Everything will be completed in the shortest possible time at a reasonable cost.

Methods of Shipping and Accounting

Everything transported by road requires loading or unloading, as well as documentation and accounting.

Below are the main types of cargo and the handling conditions:

• Piece Goods. These are items that can be counted by the number of units. They are accepted for shipment based on quantity, taking into account their dimensions and weight, and are delivered to the customer according to the same criteria. Loading can be done manually or mechanized, using cranes, lifts, forklifts, and other equipment.
• Liquid Cargo. Flowing liquids and mixtures transported in tankers can be pumped using a special system, gravity-fed, or filled by pouring from smaller containers (barrels with a capacity of 50-200 liters). Receipt and shipment are done by volume or weight.
• Bulk and Loose Cargo. These goods can withstand drops and heavy loads. They can be loaded directly into the truck bed using buckets, electromagnets, hoppers, elevators, or other devices. The truck bed is selected based on the size of the material being transported and should not lead to partial cargo loss during transit. Receipt and delivery are based on measurements of volume and weight.

Additionally, types of cargo transportation are divided into two groups:

• Commercial Goods. This group includes everything that is subject to warehouse accounting and has value.
• Non-commercial Goods. This category includes items that have no commercial value, such as industrial waste, construction debris, overburden, and other materials.

Cargo can also be classified as either regular or specific.

For regular cargo, there is no need to create special conditions to preserve the goods in their original state. They can be transported on open-deck vehicles under the open sky.

Specific cargo requires special conditions depending on its unique properties. This category includes perishable, oversized, and hazardous goods.

This classification helps the transport company properly organize deliveries while adhering to requirements at different stages.

Labeling

Different types of cargo in logistics have specific labeling applied by the manufacturer or carrier on the container or packaging. This is done to reduce the risk of damage or spoilage during transportation. Boxes may indicate that the contents are fragile and cannot be stacked or may include markings prohibiting the item from being turned over or handled with a forklift.

If the goods from the manufacturer arrive without packaging and the necessary markings, the carrier takes responsibility for labeling with the following information:

• Application of special symbols.
• Recommendations for storage and transportation.
• Recipient details.
• Dimensions and weight.
• Number of cargo units.
• Sender information.

Valuable cargo must be transported by a specialized company that ensures security and safety throughout the journey. "Mak Trans" guarantees the preservation of your goods in the best condition and at competitive rates. We have extensive experience in delivering antiques, luxury items, jewelry, and collectibles both within Ukraine and internationally.

In addition to labeling, the carrier packages various types of cargo in suitable packaging to protect the entrusted goods. This can include boxes, cases, containers, barrels, tanks, wooden crates, and more. Here’s what the transport company can offer in terms of special packaging:

• Simple consumer packaging in which the goods will be handed over to the recipient.
• Additional packaging — covers, boxes, or cases to protect against external weather conditions.
• Heavy-duty transport packaging. This includes metal boxes, containers, barrels, cans, and wooden or cardboard items to protect against mechanical damage.

In addition to packaging, the carrier ensures the preservation of entrusted valuables, preventing scratches, damage, or deterioration due to moisture, rodents, or insects.

The provided packaging must meet the following requirements:

• Be convenient and discreet when loading into the vehicle.
• Not obstruct stacking, capable of withstanding multi-tiered loads.
• Have an appealing and professional appearance.
• Protect the item from all potential risks.
• Include appropriate labeling and necessary markings.

The "Mak Trans" company accepts various types of cargo and offers consolidated shipments to save costs on small batches of goods. If you run a small business, you can even save on packaging, as our specialists will ensure everything is done to the highest standards, leaving you satisfied with the final result. Visit our website anytime to leave a request, and our specialists will get in touch with you during business hours to provide consultation on any questions you may have. Additionally, we will give you a preliminary cost estimate for the delivery — all free of charge.

"Mak Trans" offers transportation services across Ukraine and international freight shipping for all types of cargo, including:

Cargo is classified according to several criteria:

• Method of loading and unloading;
• The possibility of using lifting equipment;
• Storage and transportation conditions;
• Preservation of cargo during transport;
• Level of hazard during loading, unloading, and transportation.

1. General Cargo:

• metal products;
• reinforced concrete structures;
• timber materials;
• large-sized cargo.

2. Groupage Cargo, involving the transportation of multiple batches of goods simultaneously;

3. Oversized and Heavy Loads:

• agricultural machinery;
• boiler equipment;
• drilling rigs;
• press equipment, etc.

4. Hazardous Cargo, requiring special conditions for storage and transportation. These include:

• gases;
• liquids with high flammability;
• toxic substances;
• explosive materials.

5. Transportation of perishable goods that require specific temperature control, typically referring to food products;

6. Transportation of liquid and dry bulk cargo:

• juice concentrates;
• edible oils;
• technical oils;
• bulk products, etc.;

7. Temperature-sensitive cargo, which includes:

• perishable goods (chilled, frozen);
• non-perishable goods;
• goods that require ventilation during storage;

8. Transportation of passenger cars using specialized equipment:

• international car transportation;
• car transport across Ukraine;
• car delivery services;

9. Transportation of special and heavy machinery;

10. Transporting live cargo (animals) using specialized vehicles;

11. Transportation of large-format glass using specialized transport;

12. Transportation of metal products;

13. Transportation of bulk cargo:

• chemically hazardous;
• liquefying materials.