Project Description

In the transportation industry, the terms Cargo and Freight are widely used. The purpose is the same, however, there is a difference between them.The term Freight is typically used when you transport goods by train or by truck. The term Cargo is used when goods are transported by ship or by a plane. You might have come across words such as cargo plane and cargo ship. In a similar manner, you might have come across words such as freight train and freight truck.

The major difference between cargo and freight lies in the nature of the locomotion by which the goods are transported. Hence it can be said that freight refers to goods carried on a truck or a train. While cargo refers to goods carried on an airplane or a ship.

One of the key differences between freight and cargo lies in their meanings. The money charged by the transport carrier is often called a freight charge. Thus, Cargo does not refer to money charged, it only refers to the goods.

At times the word ‘freight’ may be used to describe the goods. In contrast, the term ‘cargo’ certainly is used to describe the goods. Any product being transported is sometimes called freight. Any product being transported is always called cargo.

This indicates that the word ‘cargo’ is used only to describe goods and nothing else. Whereas the word ‘freight’ is occasionally used to refer to a product, money charged, amount payable or merchandise. Cargo is typically goods carried by a larger vehicle while freight is typically goods carried by a smaller vehicle like the truck.

Points to remember:

  1. Although Cargo and Freight have the same purpose of transporting, “freight” refers to goods being transported on trucks and trains while “cargo” refers to planes and ships.
  2. Freight may also be referred to as the charge or payment of the products being transported while “cargo” only refers to the goods or the products and nothing else. Cargo does not refer to money charged, it only refers to the goods.
  3. Because cargo is usually transported via plane and ships, there are such things as cargo planes and cargo ships. On the other hand, freight is being transported on trucks and trains, hence the term freight trucks and freight trains.
  4. The major difference between the freight and the cargo is the locomotion used for the transportation; however, the freight is also known as the cargo being transported via the plane, the ship, the truck, or the train.