E-commerce companies are driving truck transporters to operate like express trains. Truckers want to leave stations irrespective of whether they are fully loaded with cargo or not as they want to reach destinations at the promised time, just as express trains do.

Logistics start-up GoBOLT is working on a customised design to provide sealed compartments in a container truck for multiple customers, to offer lower cost express services. The move will help more customers get access to time-tabled service. To start with, GoBOLT, which has Flipkart and Ecom Express as its customers and is in talks with Amazon and Snapdeal, says e-commerce companies are driving demand for express services.

“With Amazon Prime, etc., people have to pay extra for a two-day delivery. So, instead of taking 3-4 days to cover Delhi-Mumbai, we ensure the truck reaches in 24-26 hours,” says Sumit Sharma, co-founder, GoBOLT.

But, as per the current services, a customer has to book the full truckload. “Now, suppose, Flipkart says it has a daily two-tonne requirement between Delhi and Mumbai,it has to book a 7-8 tonne truck as that is the minimum full truckload,” he explains.

Right now, GoBOLT, which has a fleet of containerised trucks, offers full truckload, express and non-express service for business segments. Non-express truck services are usually used by fast-moving consumer goods and durables. For example, warehouses have certain inventory and transit-inventory levels. “For them, stuff should reach in five days. They don’t pay extra for faster mobility.”

Digital compartments

The company is looking to raise a second round of funds, part of which will be used for technology and to launch a part-truckload service in the containerised segment.

“Now, we want to develop a system that would allow customers to book smaller volumes such as one or two tonnes. Usually, the load-carrying capacity for a single-axle container truck is 6-8 tonnes as the goods carried are lighter, which occupy larger volumes,” he says.

“More than the truckload, the biggest problem is of leakages. Our trucks go with a seal-carrying cargo of five customers. At the first unloading location, the seal is broken to offload goods of one customer.

Here, there are fears of leakages. So, we are bringing container compartmentalisation. So within the container, there will be multiple compartments with doors that will be digitally locked,” says Sharma, adding that this is a first.

Load consolidation is a big challenge in offering an express service in part-truckload. Right now, cargo consolidation is the customers’ headache.

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