In the world of logistics, one thing is universally true: shipping air is expensive. And it’s not just about moving products—it’s about optimizing your shipments and making the most of every position of truck space, which is easier said than done. Shippers only have visibility of their orders. This is where working with a third party logistics provider who has the volume and velocity can make an impact and where load sharing capabilities create winning scenarios for all parties involved including the carriers. Load sharing allows multiple shippers to share transportation resources, increasing trailer utilization, which reduces individual costs and improves service levels.
If you’re looking for ways to cut costs while boosting efficiency in your supply chain, load sharing programs offer significant advantages. Here’s why more and more companies are turning to these programs in 2025 to streamline their logistics operations.
Maximizing Truckload Shipments
One of the most apparent benefits of load sharing programs is the ability to maximize truckload shipments. When shipments are combined with others going in the same direction, you make better use of available capacity, reducing the amount of empty space or “air” in each load. This efficient use of truck space ensures that your company only pays for the space you need rather than unused cargo space.
By sharing truckloads with compatible shipments, you essentially make every shipment more profitable. This leads to fewer underutilized shipments, allowing you to increase your overall shipping volume without significantly increasing costs. The outcome? More products were moved for the same transportation spending but shared between the parties—something that any logistics manager can appreciate. Where some say a 22-pallet order is a truckload, we say there is still room for four more pallets to share.
Success Requires the Right Provider
Not every provider has the network or infrastructure to build a load sharing solution. Working with a logistics provider that offers managed transportation solutions along with cold storage warehousing is critical for load sharing. A provider must have the volume and velocity in their network to make it work. Our team has the expertise, systems, and compatible customer mix to identify, consolidate, and execute efficient loads. Our Managed Logistics Solutions leverage technology to match shipments, optimize routes, and track deliveries in real time, ensuring you get the most efficient service possible.
Partnering with a company specializing in managed transportation means you don’t have to handle all the logistics alone. We take care of the heavy lifting—ensuring your shipments are efficiently managed from start to finish, freeing up your time and resources to focus on other core aspects of your business.
Improving Efficiency = Reduced Costs
The ultimate goal of any load sharing program is to reduce supply chain costs; this is where our programs truly shine. By sharing the cost of transportation with other shippers and leveraging the RLS transportation purchasing power with our vetted and dedicated carriers, you can access competitive rates you might not be able to secure on your own. Reduced transportation costs directly impact your bottom line, and when you work with a logistics provider specializing in optimizing shipments, you’ll see the savings add up. Costs are reduced by building a better model, not at the expense of our partner carriers. Strong partnerships are built when all parties are in a position to win.
In addition to direct savings on transportation, load-sharing programs can help reduce ancillary costs. These include fuel surcharges, extra fees for underutilized trucks, and delays that lead to additional storage or handling costs. With load sharing, you’re more likely to have predictable shipping costs and fewer surprises down the line.
Increasing Efficiencies and Reducing Carbon Footprint
Load sharing programs significantly increase efficiencies across your supply chain. With optimized loads and shared transportation, you reduce the number of trucks on the road, which leads to fewer miles driven and less fuel consumed. This efficiency translates into being good stewards of the environment, faster delivery times, reduced lead times, and smoother operation overall.
The operational efficiency of load sharing extends beyond transportation, too. By consolidating shipments, you reduce the complexity of inventory management, streamline the flow of goods, and minimize the chances of delays. The result is a more predictable supply chain that operates at a higher level of performance.
At the end of the day, shipping air is expensive—but with the right logistics partner and the right load sharing strategy, you can ensure that you’re only paying for the space you use and that every shipment counts toward driving your business forward.
If you’re ready to start optimizing your supply chain with load sharing, reach out today to see how our managed transportation solutions can help you achieve your business goals more efficiently and cost effectively.
ABOUT RLS LOGISTICS: Headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, RLS Logistics is a family-owned, third-party logistics provider specializing in value-added cold chain solutions, including LTL and FTL transportation, cold storage warehousing, and direct-to-consumer fulfillment. Founded in 1968, the company has been owned and managed by the Leo family for over 55 years and has grown into a leading integrated cold chain 3PL.
