GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Means of transport
When planning a shipment, one of the first decisions is which means of transport to use.
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Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportmittel
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Logistics Concept
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Definition & Explanation
When planning a shipment, one of the first decisions is which means of transport to use. The term refers to any vehicle or technical asset that physically moves goods or people from one location to another—trucks, rail wagons, ocean vessels, inland waterway barges, cargo aircraft, or pipelines. Each option involves trade-offs: road offers door-to-door flexibility, sea freight moves large volumes at low unit cost, rail suits heavy or bulk cargo over land, and air provides speed at a premium. Freight forwarders select the appropriate means based on cargo type, distance, transit time requirements, and applicable regulations—such as ADR for dangerous goods by road or IMDG for sea shipments. Not to be confused with transport mode, which refers to the broader infrastructure system, or transport route, which describes the path taken.
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