Amazon opens LTL freight service to all US businesses

Amazon has expanded its less-than-truckload freight service to all businesses across the United States, a move that sent shares of several major freight carriers lower this week. The service, part of the company's Amazon Supply Chain Services platform, now allows businesses of any size to ship goods to any third-party warehouse, distribution center, or retail partner nationwide.

The expansion, announced on June 10, marks a significant shift. Previously, Amazon's LTL service primarily handled inbound freight moving into its own warehouses and fulfillment centers. Jim Ruiz, director of Amazon Freight, stated that feedback from partners indicated a desire for wider access, valuing the service's technology, visibility, and reliability. Udit Madan, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations, noted the service moved millions of pallets within Amazon's network last year and will now apply to any volume and destination.

The service leverages Amazon's extensive existing logistics infrastructure, which includes more than 80,000 trailers, 24,000 intermodal containers, cargo planes, and tens of thousands of delivery vans. The company said the offering provides features such as next-day...