Line-Haul

Line-haul is the long-distance segment of a freight journey — the movement between cities, regions, or major terminals. It follows the main transport corridors (highways, rail lines, or shipping lanes) and typically involves full truckloads or large consolidated shipments. Line-haul connects the origin distribution point to the destination hub, where goods are then distributed locally via last-mile delivery.

Line-haul represents the most efficient and cost-effective segment of freight transport — large volumes over long distances using full vehicles on established routes. The cost per tonne-kilometre is lowest during the line-haul leg. For GCC logistics, key line-haul routes include the Qatar-Saudi Arabia corridor via Abu Samra border crossing, the Qatar-UAE route, and connections to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman through Saudi Arabia.

Line-haul and last-mile are complementary but operationally distinct. Line-haul moves goods in bulk between hubs using large vehicles on highways. Last-mile distributes goods from the local hub to individual addresses using smaller vehicles in urban areas. Line-haul is efficient and predictable; last-mile is complex and variable. Optimising both segments is essential for end-to-end supply chain performance.