Freight Forwarder and Carrier: The Power of Compromise in the World of Transport

When a freight forwarder’s phone rings at three in the morning because of a breakdown on the route and the client is waiting for an update, the “perfect plan” quickly meets reality. This is what real transport looks like – a living organism that moves in the rhythm of events on the road, full of twists, changes and surprises. In logistics, the one who wins is not the person who is “right,” but the one who can adapt, cooperate and communicate risks openly.

In road transport, plan A rarely reaches the destination without adjustments. Changing priorities, unexpected stops, and market realities are part of everyday life. What truly determines success is flexibility and the ability to make quick decisions: and that is only possible through partnership and collaboration between the freight forwarder, who coordinates the process, and the carrier, who deals with the realities of the road.

The perfect transport in an imperfect world

We live in a world that rarely runs smoothly, and cooperation between a freight forwarder and a carrier is not always tension-free. Both sides have their own responsibilities that often overlap. The forwarder works from the office, the carrier behind the wheel; both equally essential, since their common goal is the same: to deliver the goods on time, to the right place, and under the agreed conditions. Active communication between both sides is the key to minimising risks and responding quickly to challenges that may arise during the transport process.

Coordination in the supply chain: who does what?

In practice, each party has a different role. The freight forwarder connects all elements into one efficient process: planning every detail of the shipment, contacting clients, negotiating conditions, selecting the right carrier, verifying documentation, and ensuring compliance. In some companies, the forwarder is also responsible for transport monitoring, while in others – such as Euro24 – this task is handled by the Control Tower (dispatch department), supervising all shipments 24/7. The Control Tower takes over much of the communication with clients and carriers, yet the forwarder remains responsible for the entire process and overall performance of the order.

For the carrier, the responsibility is on the road, from point A to point B. The carrier ensures that the cargo reaches its destination safely and on time, manages drivers, maintains vehicles in proper condition, and oversees loading/unloading procedures and route efficiency. Some carriers prefer one-off spot orders found on freight exchanges, while others build long-term cooperation with forwarding companies, ensuring stable income and continuous work.

Why the right vehicle fleet matters

Carriers often specialise in transporting specific categories of goods, which requires having a fleet tailored to the unique characteristics of those loads. The right equipment determines not only whether a particular job can be completed but also the overall quality and safety of the process. It’s the carrier’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicles match the transport requirements. In many cases, the availability of a suitable fleet is what ultimately determines whether the carrier meets the client’s expectations and secures the job.

At Euro24, we value tractor units with mega trailers, refrigerated trailers, and standard tautliners. These vehicles ensure fleet flexibility and the ability to handle shipments across multiple industries: from furniture manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to chemicals and beyond. Mega trailers are an excellent choice for transporting large or non-standard cargo, such as furniture or prefabricated materials. Refrigerated trailers, equipped with cooling systems, are designed for temperature-sensitive goods like medicines, food products, and chemical substances. Standard trailers, on the other hand, are highly versatile – allowing for quick loading and unloading of various types of cargo that do not require special transport conditions.

Transparent conditions mean smoother transport

At Euro24, cooperation with carriers is based on individually tailored agreements that are jointly developed and approved by both the operations team (freight forwarding) and the subcontractor (carrier). Although transport often involves unpredictable situations, only open and ongoing communication can keep everything on the right track.

Long-term relations and readiness to compromise

A freight forwarder relies on the carrier to deliver the goods on time, while the carrier expects to be paid for the service provided. These are the obvious foundations of cooperation, but what happens when something goes wrong on the road – a breakdown, a delay, or another unforeseen issue? To achieve the shared goal of delivering the client’s goods, efficient communication and a willingness to actively cooperate are essential. It’s important to look for compromises and solutions that allow the transport to be completed successfully, even if the original plan changes. Equally crucial is thorough documentation of every stage of the process so that, in case of complications, there’s no doubt about who is responsible for what and which arrangements are in place. This way, the transport can be completed smoothly, even if the initial plan required adjustment.

There’s no shortage of situations in transport where you have to improvise and simply… find common ground.
For example: a carrier’s truck is about to head back to Poland, but the freight forwarder can’t secure a return load at the agreed rate despite their best efforts. What then? Will the driver end up with an empty trailer and potential losses? There isn’t always a perfect solution, but sometimes the answer is simpler than it seems: it all comes down to open communication.

A hypothetical way out of such a situation could look like this: if the freight forwarder is unable to find a return load, they might offer compensation on the next job. In turn, the carrier could agree to a temporarily reduced rate. However, such an arrangement usually requires an already established level of trust and partnership.

What’s behind the freight forwarder’s job?

A freight forwarder is a key figure in the transport process, the one who connects all the elements into a single, efficient operation. It’s a demanding profession that requires quick thinking, effective decision-making, and the ability to react to unexpected situations every day. In this role, adaptability is everything. Each day brings new challenges, but also the satisfaction of a job well done and every successful delivery completed.

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Competence in logistics: what defines transport success?

A typical example: a driver sets off to Spain – a long and demanding route for both person and vehicle. Along the way, language barriers, regulatory differences, or road toll updates can appear. In such moments, the forwarder’s support is crucial: monitoring progress, helping with communication, and solving issues before they escalate.

Freight forwarder’s key competences

It’s important for every freight forwarder to understand and continuously develop their knowledge and skills throughout their career. The experts at Euro24 have developed a set of core competencies that every freight forwarder should possess:

A freight forwarder can’t operate effectively without a solid understanding of the industry. They need to know how the market works and be familiar with legal regulations – both domestic and international if the company handles cross-border transport. On top of that comes knowledge of how freight exchanges operate, which helps organise shipments more efficiently, reduce stress, and avoid unnecessary delays or conflicts. A great entry-level position that allows for smooth onboarding in this area is the role of a dispatcher in the monitoring department.

Every professional freight forwarder should stand out for their communication skills and ability to build positive relationships with both clients and carriers. This makes cooperation much smoother and allows for easier matching of the right solution to each individual transport order. An additional advantage is the habit of systematically building and expanding a personal network of trusted contacts: a key asset in everyday logistics practice.

A freight forwarder should demonstrate qualities such as decisiveness, responsibility, and the ability to stay calm under pressure – traits that define the everyday reality of this profession. Such a person must be ready to make quick yet well-thought-out decisions while maintaining clear communication with carriers and clients from different countries and cultures. It is through openness and a constructive approach to cooperation that lasting, trust-based partnerships are built, the kind that truly pay off in the long run.

Carrier’s key competences

For carriers, the requirements cover several key areas. First come formal and operational competences. Equally important are communication and organisational skills.

The carrier is primarily responsible for the practical side of road transport: maintaining vehicles in perfect technical condition, ensuring they meet all regulatory standards, and equipping them according to the specific requirements of each shipment.

Trust is built on keeping promises, from timely vehicle arrival at loading points to on-time delivery of goods. These elements define the carrier’s credibility and make them a dependable partner for long-term cooperation.

Constant contact with the freight forwarder is just as important. Real-time updates about route progress, possible delays or encountered issues keep the transport process transparent and efficient. Openness and clear communication ensure that every shipment runs smoothly from origin to destination.

The freight forwarder’s and the carrier’s competencies complement each other. The former is responsible for planning and organisation, while the latter ensures operational reliability and equipment. In such cooperation, transport becomes not only safe but genuinely efficient. Thanks to this collaboration, a shared journey across Europe – full of challenges and unexpected situations – can run without major disruptions.

Carrier benefits from cooperating with Euro24

Cooperation between carriers and freight forwarders can take many forms, as the transport market is diverse and constantly changing. There are one-off spot orders that help quickly fill schedule gaps; however, long-term contracts offering greater stability are becoming increasingly popular. Each of these models involves a different level of support and expectations, which is why flexibility is such an important quality in a transport partner. Euro24 focuses on building lasting relationships and a partnership-based approach, while remaining open to one-time collaborations. This allows the company to respond to carriers’ current needs and support their long-term growth.

Euro24 provides several solutions that save time, money, and stress in everyday operations:

Fleet Package – whether a carrier is just starting out or already has years of experience in the industry, they can benefit from a comprehensive package that includes carrier’s liability insurance (OCP). Additional support is provided for cabotage operations within the European Union, as well as access to unsecured parking areas and many other advantages: all designed to make the driver’s daily work more comfortable.

24/7 Transport Support – every carrier working with Euro24 has full access to the company’s Monitoring Department. Time of day or day of the week doesn’t matter: contact is available around the clock, including weekends and public holidays. Each driver can stay focused on the road, knowing they have constant support from a team ready to assist in any situation – not only in emergencies. In case of inspections, documentation issues, or simple language barriers, they receive practical guidance and can continue their route smoothly.

Let’s imagine a situation where a carrier needs payment faster than usual. A vehicle breaks down, causing unexpected downtime and additional costs. When the invoice payment date is still weeks away, the carrier has to decide what kind of financial support to turn to. In cooperation with Euro24, the best solution in such a case may be ExpressPay – a platform created specifically for carriers, allowing them to withdraw funds in advance, provided they have an outstanding invoice in the system.

Here’s where transport starts to pay off!!

When partnering with Euro24, carriers gain access to a range of packages and additional benefits. The stability and financial reliability of the forwarding company play a crucial role for every transport partner, and with a steady client base, carriers can count on a consistent flow of orders. Whether you’re new to the market or have years of experience, Euro24 ensures peace of mind for the driver – letting them focus on delivering the goods while the company takes care of the rest.

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Challenges in freight forwarding – the real picture

Let’s consider a situation where a transport route to Italy is going smoothly, and the freight forwarder is waiting for a shipment status update to inform the client. Suddenly, it turns out that the driver has taken an additional load from another company at the last minute, shifting his priorities. The result? Delays start to appear, tension builds up in the office, the client demands clear information, and the freight forwarder has to improvise – looking for solutions while trying to maintain contact with the carrier, who has gone silent. The consequences can be serious for both sides: if, for example, the delay disrupts the client’s production line, they have the right to file a complaint. This in turn may lead to payment issues for the freight forwarding company, which still has to pay the carrier for their service.

What complicates a freight forwarder’s life?

From a freight forwarder’s perspective, one of the biggest challenges (apart from agreeing on a fair rate for both sides) is communication with the carrier. A prolonged lack of contact from the driver (or carrier) is every forwarder’s nightmare. When the driver doesn’t answer calls or respond to messages, while the client keeps asking for updates on their shipment, things start to heat up. The imagination begins to fill in the blanks – has there been an accident, or is the driver just taking a break? Delays and other issues on the road disrupt the entire supply chain, adding unnecessary stress for the forwarder. Meanwhile, the client, often demanding up-to-date information about their cargo, is left with uncertainty or misleading details – and the entire freight forwarding company’s credibility takes the hit.

The biggest problems a carrier faces on the road

One of the most common concerns regarding carriers is the issue of transparency and keeping commitments. This isn’t about minor communication oversights but situations where a carrier declares readiness to start a job, while in reality they’re handling other routes. As a result, the supposedly priority transport gets pushed aside – or doesn’t happen at all. In such cases, the freight forwarder, aware of the time lost, has to look for last-minute alternatives, while the client who needs the shipment “right away” grows increasingly impatient and may take negative action in response.

The most common challenges carriers face in their daily work

On the other hand, carriers also deal with their own set of challenges. One of the most common pain points is freight rates. Freight forwarders naturally aim for the lowest possible rates, as these directly affect their operational efficiency and profitability. Carriers, meanwhile, have to take into account all the costs related to transport execution – fuel, tolls, vehicle maintenance, and the driver’s pay – and only after deducting these can they see their real profit. It’s no surprise that both sides want to protect their own interests as best as they can. The real problem arises when the differences in expectations aren’t clearly communicated, as this can easily lead to unnecessary tension and complications.

A lasting partnership built on clear principles

Euro24 understands how important the carrier’s work and role are in the entire transport process, which is why it offers professional support and guidance at every stage of delivery. The goal of successful cooperation is to create an environment where partners don’t have to worry about excessive formalities. Euro24 seeks long-term partnerships, yet remains open to one-off assignments. Everyone involved in the transport process must remember that success is achieved together, and teamwork leads to even greater results.

Transport and logistics are not just about moving goods, they’re a team effort. When the terms are transparent and communication works both ways, even a challenging route turns into a job well done. Euro24 keeps it simple: clear cooperation rules, a helpful freight forwarder on the other end of the line, and flexible financial solutions. If you value stable jobs, on-time payments, and relationships built on trust, remember…

Together, we always go further.

Cooperation with the carriers

If you’re looking for flexible jobs, on-time payments, and long-term partnership-based cooperation, join our carrier network. You’ll gain the support of an experienced team that ensures smooth transport operations and helps resolve any issues that arise on the road. Euro24 provides tools and benefits that make everyday work easier: from flexible order types and constant company support to practical financial solutions, including fleet packages available for every carrier.

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