Ask any logistics manager about their biggest challenges, and you’ll hear much the same answers: unpredictable demand, uneven volumes, multi-supplier coordination, inventory pressure, and increasing geopolitical uncertainties.
A well-optimized Full Container Load (FCL) strategy remains essential for addressing these challenges, but it can only support operations to a point. Today’s high-pressure supply chains also need a level of agility, flexibility and foresight that FCL alone can’t always provide.
This is where tactical Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) comes into play. Used as a planned part of the mix, it helps keep your cargo moving when demand, volumes or conditions shift, without disrupting regular FCL cycles. Rather than replacing full containers, tactical LCL complements them and helps you stay responsive.
What does tactical LCL really mean?
Tactical LCL is the deliberate, planned use of LCL to enhance an existing FCL-first container strategy. It isn’t an emergency fallback option, but rather a structured way to add flexibility to fixed container cycles.
Integrating LCL into your planning process helps you manage variations in timing, volume and supplier output that don’t align with full-container schedules. When used this way, LCL becomes a practical optimisation tool within your wider container-mix strategy.
Tactical LCL in real-world scenarios
Here are three situations where using LCL tactically optimizes the mix and keeps your container flow on track.
Smoothing inbound flow across multiple suppliers
Production readiness across suppliers rarely lines up with FCL cut-off cycles. Ready goods get held back while waiting to fill a container, delaying cargo that could have moved sooner.
Tactical LCL allows ship-ready or partial volumes to move without disrupting the full-container rhythm.
The benefit: a steadier, more predictable inbound flow, especially when supported by PO-level visibility.
Reducing inventory build-up and working-capital pressure
FCL-only replenishment often forces teams to ship earlier than necessary to fill containers, leading to excess stock at the destination warehouse. Waiting, on the other hand, risks stock-outs and late deliveries.
Tactical LCL enables smaller, better-timed shipments tied to real demand.
The benefit: tighter inventory control and less risk to working capital.
Maintaining agility during seasonal or demand peaks
Seasonal uplifts and promotional spikes often don’t sync with fixed FCL schedules. Shipping early creates excess stock, while waiting risks selling out.
Tactical LCL enables flexible top-ups that keep inbound flow in step with short-term demand.
The benefit: greater responsiveness during peak periods without the cost of excess inventory.
However, to leverage LCL as shown above, you need real-time visibility, predictive planning and a forwarder with the digital capabilities to orchestrate your container mix.
How digital technology enables LCL optimization
Digitization makes tactical LCL far easier to plan and execute. With the right visibility, it becomes a reliable complement to your full-container planning.
This visibility needs to span the entire supply chain, from supplier readiness and warehouse inventory to carrier schedules.
Here are the digital capabilities that make the difference:
- Full visibility of goods status
Provides a clear view of what suppliers have ready, delayed or short, bringing this information into one place so you can choose LCL where it adds value without throwing off full-container planning. - Aligning shipment timing to demand and inventory
Matches smaller, well-timed LCL shipments to real needs, reducing both excess stock and stock-out risk. - Container-mix planning and optimization
Assesses when it’s best to wait for full containers, and when a smaller LCL shipment will maintain predictable flow and lead times. - Proactive exception visibility and ETAs
Identifies disruptions or delays early so teams can shift to LCL, avoiding costly last-minute actions.
With these capabilities in place, tactical LCL becomes a reliable, repeatable part of your operations, especially when visibility and execution come together in one place.
” The shift from opportunistic LCL to tactical LCL is fundamentally enabled by technology. You can’t execute a smart container mix without knowing exactly what’s ready, where it needs to go, and when.
Real-time visibility is the prerequisite for LCL optimization. With the right digital platform, what was once a complex, manual decision becomes an informed part of automated container-mix planning, making LCL a reliable, predictable component of your strategy.”
Gunnar Kiehn, Senior Procurement and Business Development Manager LCL
Strength in the right container mix
Resilient supply chains blend FCL with tactical LCL to stay agile even when plans shift.
Forto brings shipment insight and execution together in one platform, helping you maintain that balance and turn your LCL strategy into a competitive advantage.
Speak to a Forto expert today to explore how tactical LCL can work for you.
