Shipping Aggregates
Explore a wide range of shipping solutions for aggregates with FreightCenter. Our expert logistics team tailors every shipment to meet your unique needs, while ensuring timely and secure transport to any destination.
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FreightCenter partners with top-of-the-line carriers to offer specialized shipping services that fit the special requirements that are needed to transport and deliver aggregates successfully. No matter the distance or destination, our freight agents focus on high-quality handling, on-time delivery, and the knowledge needed to understand aggregate requirements.
We make transporting aggregates hassle-free so you can focus on what matters most: keeping operations running smoothly and getting the job done successfully.
Thousands of businesses trust FreightCenter to move their freight faster, smarter, and cheaper! From unbeatable rates to top-notch service, our customers are raving about their shipping success.
See why they keep coming back!
Award-Winning Service, Trusted by Shippers Everywhere!
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
Why Use FreightCenter for Aggregate Shipments?
We specialize in freight, not just for boxable items, but also for bulky and rugged freight, such as aggregates. With over 25 years of industry experience, we know what it takes to ship heavy, irregular, or dirty freight—and get it there safely.
You’ll get:
- Competitive quotes from top-rated carriers
- A dedicated freight agent to walk you through every step
- Help with documents, pickup, delivery, and any extras (like tarping or liftgates)
- Access to our TMS system for tracking
Key Steps in Shipping Aggregates
Aggregates are raw, coarse materials such as sand or gravel that are produced from natural sources and extracted from pits and quarries. These different types of aggregates are utilized in various industries and for diverse tasks. In the construction industry, concrete mortar and other aggregates are used for constructing buildings and roads. In the oil and gas industry, aggregates such as sand and silica are utilized for hydraulic fracturing to create fractures in the earth.
Depending on the distance of your shipment, a particular mode of transportation may be more suitable than others. For smaller construction jobs, packaged aggregates are pre-bagged or boxed, making handling easier. However, it’s more costly due to the packaging and labor. Loose aggregates are typically transported by truck, rail, or barge and shipped in bulk because the material is not contained in packaging. For large quantities, shipping loose aggregate is the cheaper option.
Transportation Method
When we discuss shipping aggregates, it is usually done in bulk. The most common method for transporting aggregates, especially over shorter distances, is via a dump truck, flatbed, or other specialized hauler directly from the quarry or processing plant to the job site. How is this done? Once the aggregate is successfully loaded onto the truck, the freight is secured with either tarpaulins or nets to prevent spillage because the trucks typically have an open top. A truck’s weight limit is typically 40 tons, so for larger shipments, another method may be more suitable.
For longer distances, rail transportation is a great and more cost-effective approach. Shipping aggregates via rail is an optimal choice because trains can carry heavy loads and are ideal for bulk shipments. Similar to dump trucks, railcars—specifically hopper cars—have opening doors or gates on the sides and undersides to discharge the cargo when it arrives at its destination easily.
In some cases, specialized equipment, such as conveyors, loaders, or excavators, is used to load and unload aggregates from trucks or train cars when they are transported on land.
Other Key Considerations For Shipping Aggregates
When shipping aggregates, it’s essential to consider several key factors to ensure that all steps of the shipping process are adequately covered. Depending on the amount of aggregates needing to be transported, rail or barge shipping may be the optimal choice, especially for bulk shipments.
Another factor to consider is the distance the shipment travels and the associated cost. The cost of a shipment depends on several factors, including volume, weight, transportation mode, and distance traveled. For short distances, trucks are the most cost-effective option, while rail or barges are more economical for longer distances.
For businesses that are environmentally conscious and want to reduce their carbon footprint, transporting aggregates by rail or barge tends to have a lower environmental impact compared to trucks, which contribute to road congestion and emissions.
Logistics and Handling
To ensure your freight is successfully delivered from point A to point B, establishing the handling and logistics of the shipment is essential. Working with a 3PL will give you access to selecting a carrier that has extensive experience in transporting heavy-lift and bulk cargo. Working closely with a 3PL and trusted carrier can ensure a smooth and timely delivery by identifying the most efficient transportation route, taking into account bridge clearances, road accessibility, and other limitations that may affect transport. Route optimization can also lead to cost savings for shipments.
You must have all the proper documents completed for your shipment. It’s essential to check the customs regulations and requirements of the destination country when shipping internationally. By working with a third-party logistics company, expert freight agents will ensure that your documents are accurately completed.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping aggregates solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity. Our specialized approach to shipping aggregates ensures that whether you're transporting sand, gravel, crushed stone, or specialty materials, we provide the most efficient and cost-effective transportation methods tailored to your specific requirements.
Expedited aggregate shipping is a specialized service that offers faster transit times than standard shipping methods. We provide expedited shipping solutions for time-sensitive aggregate materials that need to be delivered quickly to meet urgent project deadlines.
Limited-access sites—such as construction zones, remote quarries, and industrial areas—often present unique delivery challenges. These destinations may require special equipment, extra coordination, and experienced carriers. FreightCenter provides reliable solutions for delivering your sand, gravel, crushed stone, or other aggregates safely and on time, regardless of the route's complexity. Our team is experienced in handling heavy, bulky freight to challenging locations, and we'll ensure your materials arrive exactly where and when you need them.
Our Full Truckload (FTL) services are ideal for companies looking to transport substantial quantities of aggregates such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, or recycled concrete materials. With FTL shipping, you secure an entire trailer exclusively for your aggregate materials, ensuring faster transit times and significantly reduced risk of contamination or material mixing.
We offer competitive rates on international sand, gravel, crushed stone, and specialty aggregate shipments, with personalized solutions to address the unique challenges of each material type—from moisture content considerations to regulatory compliance for different aggregate classifications. FreightCenter's expertise ensures your valuable construction materials cross borders efficiently and arrive at international project sites in optimal condition.
FreightCenter Offers Many Shipping Options For Aggregates
Specialized: We utilize specialized shipping services to meet your unique freight requirements. When it comes to shipping aggregates, advanced handling equipment such as conveyors, loaders, or excavators may be needed for loading and unloading the bulk shipments at the desired location. Other specialized freight services include delivery to limited-access locations, such as construction sites or restricted areas, and expedited shipping to ensure your shipment arrives at its destination on time.
Ocean Freight: Need to ship your aggregates internationally? It is extremely common for international bulk shipments. It’s cost-effective and can accommodate the weight of the freight because of the containers utilized in ocean freight and the size of the ships that transport it. Our freight agents will work with you to ensure your shipment meets all customs regulations for a successful delivery.
Rail Freight: Rail shipping is another efficient and cost-effective option for shipping aggregates, particularly in bulk. Specialized rail cars called hopper cars are used to easily load and unload the aggregate. Shipping via rail is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option if you need to ship over long distances.
Heavy Haul: For shipping items such as aggregates, which are characterized as being heavy or typically transported in bulk, heavy haul is an optimal choice. Heavy haul is used when freight cannot be transported via standard shipping methods. To safely move aggregates, specialized trailers such as flatbeds or dump trucks are utilized.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Aggregate Shipping Expertise
At FreightCenter, we understand the importance of getting your aggregate shipment to the site in a timely manner, whether it’s for construction, oil and gas drilling, or sewage treatment and water filtration. We offer specialized shipping solutions to ensure the aggregates are properly packaged, loaded, and transported to their destination.
We work with carriers that understand the logistics and challenges involved in shipping bulk cargo. We prioritize high-quality customer service without breaking your wallet. We offer competitive rates from top carriers, so you receive the services you need at a price you want. To determine the best shipping option for you and your aggregate shipment, please call our expert freight agents today at (800) 716-7608.
FAQ: Shipping Aggregates
Q. What is the maximum weight of an aggregate shipment?
The maximum weight of an aggregate shipment depends on the mode of transportation being utilized. For road transportation, trucks weight limit is typically around 40 tons. While rail and ocean freight can accommodate much larger shipments, handling several thousand tons at a time.
Q. Can I ship aggregates in small quantities?
Yes, smaller quantities of aggregates can be shipped. These are typically packaged or sold in specific volume units, such as cubic yards or bags. They are shipped as a less-than-truckload shipment.
Q. What is a "load-out" and how does it relate to shipping aggregates?
A “load-out” is the process of transferring aggregates from the production site to a transport vehicle or container for shipping. The process typically involves loading the material onto a truck, train, or ship, ensuring that it’s properly secured and the correct quantity, and conducting quality checks to ensure that the aggregates meet requirements.
Q. Why is grading important for aggregates?
Grading is the distribution of particle sizes in an aggregate mix. Proper grading is essential for making sure that the aggregates fit together efficiently in a concrete mix, which is used for a myriad of reasons in construction and the oil and gas industry.
Q. How are aggregates shipped?
Aggregates are shipped in bulk either by truck, rail, or sea. In sea freight, they are loaded onto barges or large bulk carriers. When transported on land, they are shipped in larger containers and special equipment is used to load and unload aggregates.
Q. What type of packaging is used for shipping aggregates?
Smaller shipments of aggregates are packaged in bags. However, typically aggregates are shipped in bulk so packaging is not used. Instead they are loaded directly into a container, hold, or truck bed.
Q. Can aggregates be shipped internationally?
Yes, aggregates can be shipped internationally. Shipping aggregates across the ocean is very common. The process involved complying with international shipping laws and logistics handling across borders.
Q. What are the challenges in shipping aggregates?
Shipping aggregates does pose a few challenges. Some challenges includes weather-related delays, port congestion, handling large volumes, environmental impact, and customs clearance if shipping internationally. Partnering with a 3PL can help to mitigate any shipping challenges.
Q. What documentation is required for shipping aggregates?
Certain documentation is required for shipping aggregates. These documents include the Bill of Lading (BOL), the invoice, customs clearance documents or import/export permits if applicable, and certificate of origin.
Q. What’s the best way to ship aggregates in bulk?
Full truckload (FTL) shipments, typically using a dump trailer or flatbed, are usually the most efficient method, especially for large-scale deliveries.
Q. Can you ship aggregates to a job site or construction zone?
Yes, but please ensure that you include the delivery site details in your booking. Some sites require advanced coordination or accessorials.
Q. What types of trailers are used to ship aggregates?
Dump trucks, end-dumps, belly-dumps, and flatbeds are most common. The right one depends on your material type and unloading needs.
Q. What’s the most affordable way to ship aggregates long-distance?
Consolidating into full truckloads and avoiding last-minute bookings typically helps reduce long-haul shipping costs.
Q. How do I get the best rate for shipping sand or gravel?
Use our quote tool to compare rates. Scheduling in advance and being flexible with pickup times can help reduce costs.
Q. Is shipping aggregates environmentally friendly?
If aggregates are shipped by truck, the environmental impact can be significant due to the fuel consumption and emissions. However, other modes of transportation, such as barge shipping and rail shipping, are more environmentally friendly and leave a relatively low carbon footprint compared to road transport.
The FreightCenter Advantage
Easily Track Shipments
To ensure your shipment gets to its destination on time, FreightCenter offers a way to easily track your shipments. All you need is your tracking number to do so. This way you can relieve any stress by monitoring your shipment step by step. With FreightCenter, your shipment is in good hands.
Rewards Program
Earn points when you ship with FreightCenter through our rewards program. Once you ship freight with us, you will gain points that can be redeemed for top-of-the-line items from coolers to bluetooth speakers. What are you waiting for? Sign up now.
Exceptional Customer Support
FreightCenter's professional team is on your side. We'll guide you through every step in the shipping process, from initial quoting to post-shipment support. We prioritize customer satisfaction and ensure your needs are 100% met.
