There are plenty of options available for shippers to put their bulk freight in motion. Yet, the advantages of using one of the most tried and true of these options, the freight 3PL, may still be largely unknown to some shippers. So, to set the record straight, we sat down with a real-life bulk freight specialist – Bulk Connection’s own Dry Bulk Manager, Scott Wilson – to answer the question: what does a bulk freight 3PL do to add value for shippers?
What is a bulk freight logistics provider?
A bulk freight 3PL is a licensed property broker that uses its tried and true network of carriers to transport shippers’ freight – and much more. This “much more” includes helping shippers to cut costs, move freight fast, and alleviate the demands of traffic management and carrier sourcing from its operations.
So, in that respect, the term “freight broker” feels antiquated nowadays. We’re third-party logistics providers (3PLs) that perform a lot more on the shippers’ behalf than simply moving product from points A to B. Anything from drayage and arrangement of customs details to manufacturing logistics and just-in-time delivery can be included in our services. Not to mention the human component of communication and negotiation for cost savings.
How are bulk freight 3PLs different from traditional brokers?
Not all freight brokers are built to handle bulk products.
Liquid and dry bulk freight requires specialized equipment, regulatory knowledge, and carrier vetting standards that go far beyond standard dry van brokerage.
Bulk freight can involve:
- Tanker trailers for liquid bulk materials (food-grade, chemical-grade, stainless steel)
- Pneumatic trailers for dry bulk materials
- Hazmat certifications
- Tank wash documentation
- Temperature sensitivity
- Product compatibility requirements
- Strict loading/unloading procedures
A bulk-focused 3PL understands:
- Which carriers can safely haul specific commodities
- How to verify tank wash compliance
- How to match product type with proper equipment
- How to navigate chemical and food safety regulations
This specialization reduces risk and ensures product integrity.
What advantages do freight 3PLs provide for shippers?
Cut freight costs. Most freight 3PLs have very large networks of carriers. A 3PL can leverage the size of its network to find the best carrier for a shipper’s load based on experience, equipment and cost. A 3PL can essentially ‘comparison shop’ on behalf of their shipping customers.
Move freight fast. Again, the large size of a 3PL’s carrier network allows for greater flexibility in meeting the timelines of shippers. From there, communication is vital to iron out schedules that work for shippers and destination facilities. This scheduling may also need to account for stops for scales for weighing as well as tank washes.
Remove demands of traffic management. When a shipper books a load with a carrier, that shipper typically must allocate internal resources to track that load and manage the timeline and stakeholder expectations. 3PLs can handle those tasks on the shippers’ behalf.
Provide multiple transportation modes. Some 3PLs, like Bulk Connection, that specialize in bulk freight shipping can handle transportation across liquid and dry bulk freight; effectively giving shippers a ‘one-stop-shop’ for their transportation needs.
Maintain carrier information. For shippers going it alone and working with different carriers directly, there can be a lot of work that goes into maintaining the carriers’ licensing, insurance and regulatory compliance information. Some 3PLs even have dedicated teams whose sole responsibility is to keep these records updated. This ensures that the 3PL’s TMS system assigns shippers’ loads ONLY to carriers that are up-to-date and qualified to handle them.
Perform coordination among stakeholders. When a bulk freight 3PL is a true expert, it understands that there are so many details that make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful load. As such, these 3PLs will guide you through the entire load. This includes calling both the loading and unloading facilities to confirm key items like operating hours, on-site staffing, and the necessary equipment. It also means staying in contact with these stakeholders until the load is completed.
How does a bulk freight 3PL keep shippers in regulated industries compliant?
So many of our customers are in heavily regulated industries. For chemical and food ingredient shippers, for example, compliance is not optional — it’s mission-critical.
So, we’re very adept at the following:
- FMCSA compliance
- Hazmat certifications
- Insurance verification
- Carrier safety scores
- Food-grade and chemical-grade documentation
- Maintaining documentation for audits
- Tank wash certifications
But it’s not just paperwork. Our risk management also focuses on equipment cleanliness and compatibility, and preventing cross-contamination. Also, we are ISO-9001 certified, so everything we do is aligned completely with the most rigorous quality control standards in existence.
Can a shipper use a freight 3PL AND hire carriers directly? Or is it one or the other?
Shippers can and do use both carriers and freight 3PLs. Often, a shipper will have a comfort level with a specific carrier in a specific lane(s). As capacity is needed for new lanes however, shippers can lean on 3PLs to source them and/or lean on 3PLs to simply explore options in these new lanes. Some shippers may also choose to augment existing carrier arrangements with 3PL-based loads within the same lane so that they are not too reliant on a single carrier.
There are other times where a shipper may have a new product that is outside of its regular carrier’s wheelhouse and, again, a 3PL can step in and handle transportation for that product.
What are some value adds that a freight 3PL provides to shippers?
A major value add that freight 3PLs provide is emergency shipping. When you’re dealing with a single carrier, it has what it has. If you have an emergency and all of that carrier’s trucks and drivers are booked, you’re out of luck. A 3PL with a large network, however, can pull trucks in from near and far to support your needs.
For example, one winter there was a Vermont company that had its rail operation significantly disrupted due to winter weather. Bulk Connection sourced – and ran – 4-to-6 trucks a day for over a-month-and-a-half to compensate for the railcars that were out of action.
Can a bulk freight 3PL protect shippers from capacity swings?
Yes. Bulk freight markets are cyclical. In tight markets, tanker capacity becomes limited, rates rise quickly, and service reliability declines if relationships aren’t strong.
In loose markets, capacity may be available, but carrier quality can vary, and price pressure may lead to corner-cutting among some companies.
A quality bulk-focused 3PL like Bulk Connection provides stability by:
- Maintaining long-term carrier relationships
- Diversifying capacity sources
- Monitoring diesel fuel trends
- Offering strategic guidance beyond annual RFQs
- Acting as an extension of your transportation department
Rather than relying on a single carrier or annual RFQ, many shippers use a 3PL as a flexible partner that adapts with market conditions.
What are misconceptions that shippers may have about freight 3PLs?
The barriers to entry to becoming a freight 3PL are relatively low. It’s important to partner with a 3PL that has a proven track record and the longevity that breeds trust. In Bulk Connection’s case, we’ve been a trusted partner to shippers all over North America since 1987.
What about digital freight marketplaces? Do they replace the 3PL?
For some freight where the 3PL adds little value, the 3PL role may not be necessary. But anyone who’s ever booked a bulk chemical shipment – understands that there is often significant knowledge and back and forth communication that goes into making the shipment successful. As such, shippers need true experts to guide them through the process. You’re simply not going to find that expertise and support in a load board or a computer algorithm – especially if the project encounters a hiccup along the way.
Of course, technology always has a role, and visibility into the load is always critical.
Bulk 3PL partners like Bulk Connection provide:
- Shipment tracking
- Proactive updates
- 24/7 access to freight professionals
- Immediate escalation if issues arise
- Transparent documentation
In many cases, the most valuable “technology” is direct access to experienced bulk freight experts — especially when loads are time-sensitive or facilities have strict appointment windows.
The Bottom Line
A quality bulk freight 3PL like Bulk Connection does much more than book trucks.
We provide:
- Specialized bulk expertise
- Access to one of the largest North American bulk carrier networks
- Compliance and safety oversight
- Market insight
- 24/7 access to experienced professionals
- Flexibility during volatile freight cycles
For chemical and food-grade shippers moving liquid or dry bulk freight, the right 3PL becomes more than a vendor — we can become a trusted extension of your supply chain. Contact Bulk Connection today to start a conversation.
