Freight Forwarding for Beginners: Learn the 6 Main Types

New to logistics? Start with the six types of freight forwarding: air, sea, road, rail, intermodal, and multimodal. These options move goods across local and global markets efficiently. Air freight is fast but costly. Sea freight is slow but perfect for large shipments. Road and rail manage inland movement. Intermodal forwarding links multiple transport modes without transferring cargo between carriers, while multimodal offers one contract to manage the entire journey. These types form the foundation of global shipping strategies. Understanding how and when to use them helps beginners make smarter, faster, and more cost-effective logistics decisions—right from the start.