Houston Freight Services
Mode of transport
Sea transport
- Houston Port: It is the largest port on the Gulf Coast and the largest port in Texas. It ranks first in the United States in terms of foreign trade waterborne throughput and 15th in the world. The Port of Houston is connected to the Gulf of Mexico by an 80-kilometer-long sea canal and can handle all types of goods, including oil, steel, project cargo, etc. It is also the sixth-largest container terminal in the United States.
- Main terminals: Forty kilometers up the main channel of Houston are the two main container terminals, Barbour Cut Terminal and Bayport Terminal. Both are directly managed by the Port of Houston Authority and handle the main task of loading and unloading container ships.
Air transport
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport: an important air cargo hub in Houston, providing cargo routes connecting the world and providing a fast channel for international cargo transportation. Many international express and cargo airlines have set up their operational bases or transfer centers here.
- William P. Hobby Airport also undertakes certain cargo operations, providing supplementary services for cargo transportation in Houston and surrounding areas. It focuses on cargo routes to some domestic cities and facilitates the rapid flow of goods within the country.
- Rail transport
- Houston has a dense railway network that connects to major markets in North America. Railway transport is suitable for transporting large quantities of heavy goods that are less time-sensitive, such as coal, ore, and construction materials. It provides an economical and efficient option for transporting goods between Houston and other regions and also facilitates the transfer of goods by intermodal transport.
- Road transport: Houston has an extremely well-developed road transport network with numerous highways running through it, such as Interstate Highways I-10, I-45, I-610, etc. Road transport is highly flexible and can provide “door-to-door” freight transport services. It is suitable for transporting goods of all types and sizes, especially those with high time sensitivity, such as fresh food and electronic products.
Freight service providers
- Integrated logistics service providers: For example, Cargoways Logistics, Inc., founded in 1976, provides a diverse range of services, including air freight, freight forwarding, customs clearance, rail freight, trucking, warehousing, and distribution. Benchmark Worldwide Transport has been providing air, ocean, and ground freight services worldwide for the past 25 years.
- Specialized trucking companies: Terrier Transportation Inc., for example, has been providing reliable trucking services between Houston and South Texas since its founding in 1997 and has since expanded its operations to cover the entire state of Texas. Nova Services, meanwhile, has been focusing on trucking since 1989, with a strong emphasis on service.
- International express giants: International express giants such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS all have branches or transfer centers in Houston, providing express and freight services on a global scale. They can meet customers’ needs for transporting small packages and documents with extremely high time requirements and also provide value-added services such as cargo tracking, door-to-door pickup, customs clearance, etc.
Houston Freight Company
1. Koch Industries
- Overview: Koch Industries is one of the world’s leading logistics companies, offering comprehensive supply chain management services. It also has a strong presence in Houston, with a network covering trucking, air, and ocean freight.
- Services: Includes a full range of freight forwarding, transportation management, and supply chain solutions.
2. XPO Logistics
- Overview: XPO Logistics is a leading global logistics and transportation services company offering a broad range of freight transportation solutions.
- Services: Trucking, supply chain management, warehousing, distribution, and freight forwarding. XPO has a strong presence in Houston and can meet the needs of all types of customers.
3. Hub Group
- Overview: Hub Group is a transportation, logistics, and supply chain management company based in the United States. It provides professional freight services in the Houston area.
- Services: Road transportation, rail transportation, and international freight. The company focuses on efficient logistics solutions and provides real-time cargo tracking services.
4. C.H. Robinson
- Overview: C.H. Robinson is one of the world’s leading third-party logistics companies, providing a full range of freight and logistics services in Houston.
- Services: Air, ocean, ground transportation, and supply chain management. C.H. Robinson also provides transportation agency services to help customers plan the best transportation routes.
5. Saia LTL Freight
- Overview: Saia is an LTL (less than truckload) carrier with multiple locations in Houston. It offers specialized ground transportation services.
- Services: LTL services, full truckload (FTL), and transportation management. Saia is known for its reliability and extensive network.
6. Schneider National
- Overview: Schneider is one of the largest transportation companies in the United States, offering a full range of transportation and supply chain solutions. Its Houston location provides efficient freight services to customers.
- Services: Includes land, air, rail and cross-border transportation.
7. Swift Transportation
- Overview: Swift Transportation is a large transportation company that offers a variety of services, from road transportation to integrated logistics.
- Services: Provides long-distance and short-distance trucking services, especially strong in heavy and bulk cargo transportation.
8. TLI, Inc.
- Overview: TLI is a company focused on providing efficient trucking and logistics solutions with a strong presence in the Houston area.
- Services: Includes dry freight, refrigerated, short and long haul.
9. Penske Logistics
- Overview: Penske Logistics offers a wide range of logistics services, with a focus on customized transportation solutions for its customers. The company has a well-established logistics network in Houston.
- Services: Includes warehouse management, transportation management, trucking and supply chain optimization.
10. J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- Overview: J.B. Hunt is one of the leading transportation companies in the United States, providing trucking and supply chain management services.
- Services: provides long-distance, LTL and FTL transportation, as well as third-party logistics services.
Best Freight Forwarder in Houston
Scope of services: Check whether the freight forwarder offers a variety of transportation methods, such as sea, air, land, and rail transport, as well as one-stop services, such as warehousing, packaging, customs clearance, and customs clearance.
Industry experience: I prefer freight forwarders who have been in the industry for a long time. Generally speaking, experienced companies are better able to deal with various complex situations. Over the long term, they have accumulated the ability to solve various transportation problems.
Transportation network: A strong transportation network is the key to ensuring the smooth transportation of goods. Please find out about the freight forwarder’s domestic and international agency locations and branch offices, as well as its partnerships with major ports, airports, and logistics hubs.
Reputation and credibility: You can find out about the freight forwarder’s reputation and service quality by checking online reviews, customer feedback, industry reputation, and consulting other companies. You can also refer to the ratings of business rating agencies or industry associations.
Cargo tracking: Choose a freight forwarder that provides real-time cargo tracking services so that you can keep track of the status of your shipment.
Customer service: Check whether the freight forwarder’s customer service team is professional and responsive and whether it can provide timely problem-solving and support during the shipping process, such as providing a 24-hour customer service hotline.
Business license: Ensure that the freight forwarder has a legal and valid business license, which is the basis for its legal operations.
Industry qualifications: These include the International Freight Forwarder Enterprise Filing Certificate, the Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) business qualification certificate, and the air transport sales agent qualification. Different shipping methods and business types may require corresponding qualifications.
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