LDM – Loading Meter: The Basis for Chargeable Weight

Loading procedures can be complex, requiring precise LDM, DM, and NDM settings for efficiency. These processes are often done manually, with shipping companies needing accurate freight-based weight calculations. The Loading Meter (LDM) is key to determining chargeable weight, which is essential for effective logistics. Learn more about LDM, its role in freight management, and how loading software ensures accuracy and safety.

What is a loading meter (LDM)?

A Loading Meter (LDM) is a practical way to quantify the space occupied by a shipment in the cargo unit of a commercial transport vehicle. These vehicles, whether trailers, containers, or other cargo carriers, are designed to carry goods. The physical dimensions and volume of goods carried directly impact how much carrying capacity is used.

A standard full EU pallet typically occupies 0.4 loading meters (LDM), while a half pallet occupies 0.2 LDM. A cargo box filled with these full pallets can accommodate many of them. In fact, a standard EU trailer has a maximum capacity of 13.6 LDM, which translates to about 33 to 34 full EU pallets. In addition, according to European standards, one loading meter in a cargo box or semi-trailer has a maximum load capacity of approximately 1850 kg. Learn more about how to stack pallets effectively to optimize your use of LDMs.

Given the aforementioned regulatory context, we can look into this from a more professional angle, in which the European Commission establishes directives on the maximum dimensions and payload weights of trucks and their carriers. According to this, the LDM is a standardized unit for measuring how much available cargo space a particular shipment will occupy. This standardization is crucial for fair pricing and, of course, the efficient use of vehicle space and compliance with EU regulations on the size and weight of commercial transport, which ultimately contributes to safety on Europe’s roads.

How do you calculate the loading meter?

Loading meter calculation (LDM) helps determine the space a shipment will occupy on a truck to calculate freight costs. The standard formula, let’s say, for a single and unpacked cargo, might look like this:

Length of cargo box (m) × Width of cargo box (m) / 2.4 m = Loading meter (LDM).

For example, using a Europallet (1.2 m x 0.8 m) is 0.4 LDM. If the load carriers are stackable. Next, the stacking factor can be used:

Length (m) × Width (m) / 2.4 m / Stacking factor = LDM per unit.

Going further down the road, to calculate the total LDM for multiple stackable units, multiply the LDM per unit by the number of load carriers. Of course, remember that while these are general calculations, trucking companies may have specific pricing models (we gave you a bit below on the DHL case). Also, it is worth noting that we need to always confirm exact calculation methods with the carrier of choice to ensure an accurate estimate of shipping costs.

Loading meter vs. cubic meter: What’s the difference?

We have two primary methods for calculating the chargeable freight for your shipment, tailored to its specific attributes. Loading Meter Weight comes into play when your shipment presents specific logistical needs. It’s applied when the items cannot be stacked, but if stacking is explicitly not allowed, or when the shipment’s height exceeds 1.2 meters.

Furthermore, if your goods utilize the full width and height of the cargo space and leave no room for other items above, this method is also used. Let’s say that loading meter weight is the standard calculation for all shipments exceeding 7.0 meters in length, as well as for ADR (dangerous goods) shipments and containers. This approach reserves a dedicated section of the truck (for example, from floor to ceiling and wall to wall). It ensures the integrity of your non-stackable items. However, to fully ensure an accurate calculation, we need to provide the exact length of your shipment when placing a transportation order.

Quite often, or rather too often, warehouse workers manually complete the process above, and shipping details are handed over to OSG, an operations support group responsible for booking shipments. If the loading meter weight method is applicable, the shipping can proceed from the dock to the port of its destination.

Taking a closer look at the Cubic Weight (CMB calculation), at this point, the space calculation is utilized when your shipment offers more flexibility in loading. This method is appropriate when the items are stackable and have a height of less than 1.2 meters. It can also be applied to longer, stackable shipments. Specifically, those ranging between 2.4 and 7.4 meters in length. However, if their height remained below 1.2 meters, it would allow for more efficient utilization of the cargo space when vertical stacking is possible.

For example, DHL’s Loading Meter (LDM) is a standardized unit used to calculate the volume and, ultimately, the cost of shipments that are not stackable or have other specific characteristics. This is how they help their customers estimate shipping costs (we explain this a bit below). Furthermore, one loading meter corresponds to one meter of truck bed length, and they utilize the full width of the trailer (typically 2.4 meters) and the full height.

However, when DHL calculates the chargeable weight based on LDMs, it essentially treats non-stackable or oversized goods as occupying a rectangular space within the trailer. This means that the space is reserved and not available for other shipments.

The criteria previously mentioned for using loading meter weight generally align with DHL’s practices. They would likely apply the LDM calculation when:

• The goods cannot be stacked due to their nature or packaging.
• There are explicit instructions on not stacking the shipment.
• The height of the consignment exceeds a certain threshold (often around 1.2 meters, but DHL may have specific guidelines).
• The shipment fully utilizes the cargo space from wall to wall and floor to roof.

You can see the DHL sheet for payload calculation to obtain a much better picture.

Loading meters in a truck

In road transport, we frequently use loading meters (LDM) as a practical unit of measurement. One loading meter corresponds to one linear meter of floor space within the truck. This calculation method benefits goods that cannot be stacked or have other items stacked upon them. It also allows the trucker to account for the otherwise unused vertical space. Typically, one loading meter equates to a chargeable weight of 1,850 kilograms.

What does this look like from a narrower point of view? Here is a minor breakdown for Loading Meters (Road Freight):

• Unit of Measurement: Primarily measures the linear floor space occupied in a truck (1 LDM = 1 meter of truck length).
• Application: This is commonly used for non-stackable goods or shipments that utilize the full height of the truck.
• Chargeable Weight Connection: This is often related to a standard chargeable weight per LDM (e.g., 1,850 kg).
• Pallet Conversion: Standard pallet dimensions have established LDM equivalents (e.g., Euro pallet = 0.4 LDM).

Freight calculation and LDM

Getting a freight quote to ship a full container, for example, 40 ft. or 20 ft., typically requires an entire truckload. Furthermore, to calculate the freight cost for a container, you would generally need to provide the following information for a quote:

• Origin and Destination: The location from which the container is being shipped and its final destination. This includes specific addresses or postal codes.
• Container Size and Type: Specify the size of the container (e.g., 20 ft., 40 ft.) and the type (e.g., standard, high cube, refrigerated). LDM plays a crucial role in cost estimation.
• Weight of the Cargo: The total weight of the goods shipped within the container.
• Commodity: A description of the goods being transported. This is important for classification and any potential regulations (like hazmat).
• Service Requirements: Any special instructions or services needed, such as loading/unloading assistance, insurance, or specific delivery requirements.

Freight carriers and logistics providers use this information to determine the cost based on various factors. These factors include distance, fuel costs, handling fees, and other applicable charges. Simply put, a request for a quote from a freight carrier or logistics company is typically needed to calculate the freight for a container. This is much easier, but you still need to handle loading independently. While you have a warehouse or are a distributor, providing them with detailed information about your shipment is the next step. They will then use their specific pricing models to calculate the total cost.

Shipping documents and LDM

Regarding shipping documents in road transportation, the loading meter (LDM) often plays a key role in providing vital information about a shipment. From our point of view, preparing the documentation is crucial to getting your shipments delivered smoothly. Therefore, it is highly recommended not to underestimate this fact. Let’s see below how the LDM typically interacts with shipping documentation:

Space Allocation: Shipping documents, such as the CMR waybill (the standard contract of carriage for international road transport), include a field to specify the number of loading meters the goods occupy.

Chargeable Weight Basis: The declared LDM on the shipping documents can be the basis for calculating the freight charges. As we look closely, especially for non-stackable or space-consuming goods, carriers might use the LDM value for a standard weight per LDM. This is how to determine the billable weight.

Loading Instructions: In some cases, the shipping documents might contain instructions related to the LDM. For example, we may see instructions on how the goods should be loaded to fit within the allocated loading meters.

Loading software with an LDM calculator

Leveraging the information from EasyCargo, our online loading software, we can see how an integrated LDM (Loading Meter) calculator supports truck load planning. This process is generally becoming much easier.

Loading software such as EasyCargo integrates an LDM (Loading Meter) calculator to streamline the process of planning and optimizing how goods are loaded onto trucks or containers. Here’s how this functionality typically works:

• Inputting Cargo Dimensions: Users input the dimensions (length, width, height) and quantity of each type of cargo being shipped, including individual packages, pallets (specifying whether they are Euro or block pallets), and other loaded items.
• Automatic LDM Calculation: Based on the entered dimensions and the standard widths of truck space(typically around 2.4 meters) or container space, the software automatically calculates the LDM. Additionally, each item or group of items will occupy the truck floor. As mentioned above, pallets often have pre-set LDM values (e.g., 0.4 LDM for a Euro pallet, 0.5 LDM for a block pallet).
• Stacking Considerations: EasyCargo loading software allows users to define stacking rules (e.g., whether items can be stacked or not). The LDM calculator then adjusts the occupied floor space based on efficient stacking, potentially reducing the total LDM required for the shipment.
• Load Optimization: The software uses the LDM calculations, along with other constraints like weight limits and delivery sequences, to suggest the most efficient way to load the truck and container.

These are not the only functions, but they show you how much easier your work could become.

Loading Meters for efficient road freight

The Loading Meter (LDM) is a key unit in road freight, standardizing the measurement of floor space occupied by cargo, especially non-stackable or tall items. This ensures fair pricing and optimal truck space utilization. Modern load planning software, like EasyCargo, integrates an LDM calculator. Our solution automates cargo loading plan creation by considering cargo dimensions and stacking. This leads to efficient loading, accurate LDM calculations, and reduced costs.

With loading meters and intelligent loading software, you can improve your road freight operations and maximize truck space efficiency. Request a live demo of EasyCargo now or start a free trial for 10 days.