Route Optimization: CoLoCa + Transport Management
In logistics, small planning adjustments often determine large cost advantages. The combination of precise container planning and intelligent route selection — in short: route optimization with CoLoCa in conjunction with your TMS — reduces distance costs, increases utilization and lowers total costs. This article presents practical approaches, examples and actionable routing tips for freight forwarders, exporters and logistics professionals.
Why Container Planning Influences Route Choice
Container size and fill level are more than mere cargo issues: they determine how many trips are necessary, which vehicle types are used and which routes are economically viable. CoLoCa, the Container Loading Calculator, calculates volume and utilization for standard containers (20ft, 40ft, 45ft, each Standard and High Cube). With these data, transports can be planned more precisely and routes chosen to minimize distance costs.
- Route optimization starts with the right container choice: optimal utilization = fewer trips.
- Cost per km vs. utilization: a larger vehicle with high utilization lowers the cost per transported cubic meter.
- Combined solution: bundling shipments in appropriate containers reduces empty runs and enables more efficient use of cargo space.
Cost Factors: Distance Costs, Utilization and Total Costs
Distance costs are often the largest variable item in road and combined-transport logistics. They consist of fuel, driver wages, wear and tear and tolls. Crucial is how these costs are distributed over the transported volume:
- Low utilization → high costs per m³.
- High utilization → fixed transport costs are spread over more freight.
Example calculation (simplified):
- Distance costs: €1.50 / km
- Saving from one less trip: 300 km × €1.50 / km = €450
If a container decision (e.g. 40ft instead of two 20ft) prevents an entire additional trip, this immediately reduces distance costs and the total costs per shipment.
Concrete Example: 40ft instead of two 20ft saves 300 km
Assume you have two partial 20ft loads that need to be picked up separately and brought to the terminal. By clever redistribution or consolidation, both positions fit into one 40ft container. The benefits:
- One pickup is eliminated or the route is shortened by 300 km (e.g. because an extra loop to the second pickup location is no longer required).
- Direct distance cost advantage (see example calculation above).
- Less handling, lower risk of damage and administrative savings.
This scenario illustrates the practical added value of combined container and route planning (combined solution): fewer kilometers, lower costs, better utilization.
How CoLoCa Fits into Route Optimization
CoLoCa provides the decisive data points for volume and utilization calculation:
- Exact m³ figures for 20ft, 40ft, 45ft (Standard & High Cube).
- Percentage values of container utilization and remaining volume.
- Quick comparison of alternatives (e.g. 2×20ft vs. 1×40ft).
- Share links for communicating the calculation with customers or dispatchers.
This information makes it possible to plan routes realistically in the TMS: vehicle types, loading times, required cargo capacity and possible consolidations can be considered early on.
Interaction with TMS Systems (without technical details)
For efficient route optimization, the results from container planning should flow into transport management. Practically this means:
- Transfer volume and utilization data into route planning.
- Adapt route creation to realistic loading and capacity limits.
- Conduct distance cost assessment per route (including tolls, time windows, driver and vehicle costs).
An integrated planning process helps avoid costly rework: if the TMS knows the container utilization, it can optimize routes so that combined solutions are preferred and empty runs are avoided.
Practical Route Tips for Logistics Professionals
- Consolidate before you calculate routes: check with CoLoCa whether multiple items fit into fewer containers.
- Prioritize volume efficiency over pure piece count: a fully utilized 40ft can be cheaper than two half-loaded 20ft containers.
- Plan for backhauls: avoiding empty runs significantly reduces distance costs.
- Use distance-cost metrics per vehicle type to determine the optimal route.
- Consider loading times and transshipment costs: shorter routes with high utilization are often better than long direct trips with low utilization.
- Use share links for coordination with customers: this enables quick and transparent decisions about container choice.
Checklist before Route Release
- Volume analysis with CoLoCa completed? (m³, utilization%)
- Alternative container sizes compared? (e.g. 2×20ft vs. 1×40ft)
- Distance costs per route calculated and compared?
- Combination possibilities for loads reviewed?
- TMS route parameters (vehicle type, time windows) considered?
If all items are checked, the likelihood is high that the released route is cost-efficient and robust.
Conclusion
Route optimization is not an isolated topic: it starts with container planning. The combination of CoLoCa-supported volume analysis and TMS-based route planning enables real cost savings in distance costs and significantly reduces total costs. Practical measures such as consolidation (combined solution), consistent utilization checks and consideration of backhauls are immediately implementable and show quick effects.
Do you have specific route scenarios or would you like to optimize your container and route planning? Your route tips? Contact us! We support you with the analysis and reveal potential savings.