Transport & Logistics Industry Terms

Learn the most common transport, freight, fleet and logistics terminology used throughout the industry. Whether you're new to transport management or an experienced fleet operator, this glossary explains each term in simple language.

A

Asset Tracking

Asset tracking is the process of monitoring trailers, containers, equipment or other valuable assets using GPS or RFID technology.

Automated Dispatch

Automatically assigning drivers or vehicles to shipments based on predefined rules or availability.

B

Backhaul

A return trip where a vehicle carries freight back instead of travelling empty, helping reduce operating costs.

Bill of Lading (BOL)

A legal transport document confirming receipt of goods and outlining the agreement between the shipper and the carrier.

C

Carrier

The company or individual responsible for transporting goods from one location to another.

Consignee

The person or business receiving the shipment.

Consignment Note

A transport document containing shipment information, sender details, receiver details and delivery instructions.

Cross Docking

A logistics process where freight is transferred directly from one vehicle to another with little or no storage.

D

Deadhead

A truck travelling without carrying freight. Reducing deadhead kilometres improves profitability.

Dedicated Load

A shipment transported exclusively for one customer.

Delivery Window

The agreed period during which a shipment should arrive.

Dispatch

The process of assigning shipments to drivers and monitoring deliveries until completion.

E

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)

The expected arrival time of a shipment or vehicle.

F

Fleet Management

Managing vehicles, drivers, maintenance, fuel usage, compliance and operational efficiency.

Fuel Factor

A percentage representing how much fuel contributes to the total transport cost.

Fuel Surcharge

An additional transport fee used to offset changing fuel prices.

G

Geofence

A virtual boundary that triggers notifications when a vehicle enters or leaves a specified area.

GPS Tracking

Technology used to determine a vehicle's real-time location.

L

Last Mile Delivery

The final stage of delivering goods from a depot or warehouse to the customer.

Linehaul

Long-distance transport between major cities, depots or distribution centres.

Load Planning

Planning how freight should be loaded for maximum efficiency and safety.

M

Manifest

A document listing all shipments carried on a vehicle.

Multi-Stop Delivery

A route containing multiple pickup and delivery locations.

O

Owner-Operator

An independent transport business where the driver owns and operates the vehicle.

P

Pickup

The collection of goods from the sender before transport begins.

POD (Proof of Delivery)

Evidence that a shipment has been successfully delivered.

Proof of Collection

Confirmation that goods have been collected from the sender.

R

Route Optimisation

Calculating the most efficient route to reduce fuel costs and travel time.

S

Shipment

Goods transported from one location to another.

Shipper

The individual or company sending the goods.

Subcontractor

A transport company hired to complete deliveries on behalf of another carrier.

T

Telematics

Technology combining GPS tracking with vehicle diagnostics and driver behaviour monitoring.

Tracking Number

A unique reference used to identify and track a shipment.

Transport Management System (TMS)

Software used to manage dispatching, shipments, vehicles, drivers, customer communication, invoicing and live GPS tracking.

V

Vehicle Utilisation

A measure of how effectively a vehicle is being used to generate revenue.

W

Waybill

A document accompanying a shipment containing sender, receiver and transport information.