We understand that shipment delays can be incredibly frustrating. They can lead to unhappy customers, disruptions in production, and challenges in distributing goods efficiently. To prevent such situations, it's crucial to identify the underlying causes of freight delays and adopt best practices to be prepared for any circumstances that may arise.
The most common reasons for freight delays are:
Missing or incorrect shipment information. Errors in entering the pickup/delivery location hours or addresses can impact the carrier's ability to properly transport the load. Occasionally, more freight is given than listed on the Bill of Lading (BOL), resulting in space constraints or scheduling conflicts for the carrier. You can avoid these issues by thoroughly reviewing shipment information before transit. Please note that fees may apply for pickup attempts or delivery attempts due to missing or incorrect information.
Weather Conditions. Weather-related disruptions are understandable and can impact freight deliveries on a regional or even nationwide scale. Events like hurricanes or blizzards can cause unsafe conditions for carriers and warehouse staff in colder regions due to ice and snow buildup. Road closures and terminal shutdowns may halt operations. While you can't control the weather, there are steps you can take to minimize the negative impact:
Allow for additional time in the desired pickup and delivery hours to account for potential bad weather.
Consider consolidating or changing shipment dates to avoid anticipated weather.
Notify other freight parties, such as shipper or receiver to communicate any weather-related challenges to your customer service team.
High freight volumes. Our integrated shipments traveling outside of local zones, may pass through terminals during the pickup and delivery process. At times, terminals may face challenges in keeping up with the influx of incoming freight. Truck loading and unloading typically follow a first-come-first-serve basis.
Other logistical issues. Instances may arise where no one is available to receive the carrier for pickup or delivery, resulting in additional fees for pickup attempts or delivery attempts. Congestion at ports can also cause delays in timely pickups or deliveries. These situations often lead to a delay of 1-2 days.
If you are concerned about a delivery delay and require further assistance, please contact the Mothership support team through the "Support" tab on the Dashboard. We're here to help.
Understanding Shipment Tracking Delays for National LTL Shipments
Overview
Delays in shipment tracking updates are common, especially for less-than-truckload (LTL) services. Tracking typically becomes available within a specific timeframe after the shipment is picked up. Below, we break down why these delays occur and provide actionable steps you can take to manage and overcome tracking issues.
Why Does Tracking for LTL Shipments Delay?
Post-Pickup Manual Processes After an LTL shipment is picked up, the driver must return to their terminal for the paperwork to be imaged and billed. This process is essential before tracking updates can begin. Tracking updates usually take up to 24 hours after pickup due to these administrative and billing delays. Systems often update tracking information overnight or early the next morning once the carrier scans the paperwork.
Reliance on Manual Updates Many carriers still rely on manual processes to scan and upload tracking details. High-volume periods, such as holidays, may also result in additional delays before tracking updates appear. Live tracking updates immediately after pickup are typically unavailable as a result of these workflows.
Addressing Shipment Movement Delays
Sometimes, shipments do not move or are delayed due to unscheduled delivery appointments. For example:
If the receiver has not responded to schedule an appointment, shipment movement might be delayed. The carrier or support teams will persistently try to reach the receiver to schedule delivery and resolve delays.
What Can You Do When Tracking Is Delayed?
Allow the Recommended Timeframe For LTL services, tracking updates should appear within 24 hours after pickup. We recommend waiting through this timeframe to allow the required manual processes to finish.
Contact Support When Necessary If tracking remains unavailable after the recommended timeframe, or if shipment scheduling is unclear, reach out to support teams for clarification or updates. Support may also assist you in manually scheduling appointments with unresponsive receivers.
Summary
Tracking delays for LTL shipments are often caused by necessary post-pickup manual processing. While these processes may take up to 24 hours, shipments can proceed promptly once tracking updates begin. By understanding these reasons and following the outlined steps, you can better manage expectations related to delivery timing and tracking clarity.