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Long-term transport tenders (Contracting):
Efficient and reliable execution

Why are long-term tenders so important in transport?

In a globalized world with volatile markets and rising transport costs, long-term tenders are a strategic tool to secure planning reliability, stability, and better conditions.
Companies that regularly move goods by road, air, sea, or rail need a process that quickly and reliably identifies and secures the right transport partners.
In today’s supply chain, choosing the right carrier or freight forwarder directly impacts reliability, cost structure, and sustainability.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
1 Why are long-term tenders so important in transport?
2 What are long-term transport tenders?
3 Comparison: Traditional vs. digital tendering
4 Get started now – digital, efficient, independent
5 Digital solutions
6 Advantages of digital tenders
7 Checklist: Best practices for successful tenders
8 The process of a digital tender in 4 steps
9 Conclusion: Digital, reliable, and efficient
10 Frequently Asked Questions (eFrexx FAQ)

What are long-term transport tenders?

Transport tenders are structured processes in which companies award their recurring or planned transports to freight forwarders or other transport companies.
While a spot tender covers one-off needs, long-term tenders are designed to secure contracts over months or years.

Core objectives:

  • Optimize costs through competition between carriers

  • Secure capacity for long-term transport orders

  • Ensure clear communication between companies and service providers

  • Gain planning certainty for regular transport requirements

Comparison: Traditional vs. digital tendering

Criterion Traditional Tender Digital Tender via Portal
Effort
High manual work with Excel & emails
Automated workflows, minimal manual effort
Comparability
Offers in different formats
Uniform structure, direct comparability
Transparency
Opaque processes
Traceable in real time
Communication
Delayed, unstructured
Standardized, clear communication
Reliability
Error-prone, slow decisions
Reliable through automated processes
Access to partners
Limited to known contacts
Expandable via verified networks & freight exchanges
Optimization potential
Low
High efficiency, cost and process optimization

Get started now – digital, efficient, independent

Test eFrexx and see how simple transport tenders can be today.
Reduce your freight and process costs, gain new providers – and stay fully in control.

Request a demo now

Digital solutions

Digital systems solve these problems by centralizing the entire process. A modern tendering portal such as the eFrexx Contracting module maps all steps – from demand definition to awarding – in one platform.

Advantages of digital tenders

Efficient:

automated awarding processes save time

Transparent:

real-time overview for all stakeholders

Secure:

GDPR-compliant handling of sensitive data

Flexible:

open participation for existing and new carriers

Checklist: Best practices for successful tenders

  • Start early – begin several months before current contracts expire

  • Ensure clean data – document volumes, frequencies, and routes clearly

  • Invite multiple providers – leverage competition between forwarders

  • Include sustainability – request CO₂ data and environmental criteria

  • Use a tendering portal – to reduce effort and increase standardization

The process of a digital tender in 4 steps

  1. Demand definition
    Define routes, transport volumes, and specific requirements.
  2. Carrier selection
    Invite existing partners and access an extended network.
  3. Offer submission and evaluation
    Structured formats enable fair comparisons. Systems automatically evaluate price, service level, and CO₂ emissions.
  4. Contract conclusion and monitoring
    Contracts are signed electronically, with transparent communication and real-time performance monitoring.

Conclusion: Digital, reliable, and efficient

Long-term tenders are the key to greater planning security, better cost control, and transparent communication in logistics.
Those who use digital systems combine reliability with efficiency and gain a clear competitive advantage.

The combination of real-time data, automated awarding, and direct access to carriers makes the difference – for companies as well as for their logistics partners.

Frequently Asked Questions (eFrexx FAQ)

What is the difference between spot and long-term tenders?

Spot tenders cover short-term needs. Long-term tenders secure transport capacity for months or even years.

Regular, plannable routes – e.g., production transports or international deliveries.

Through clear requirements, involvement of multiple providers, and the use of a digital tendering portal.