Despite the growth of India’s logistics industry, small companies in Tier 2 cities like Rajkot and Kanpur still struggle to ship loads of about 300 kg across state lines. The main difficulty is with Part Truck Load (PTL) services, which are frequently inefficient, lack transparency, and are sluggish to adopt new technologies. This has resulted in a logistics shortfall of about ₹1 lakh crore.

Why PTL Matters to SMEs

PTL helps businesses save money on shipping smaller loads without needing to fill a whole truck. This service is especially useful for e-commerce sellers and small retailers with limited budgets. PTL combines shipments from different customers into one truck. This method cuts costs, reduces waste, and makes long-distance deliveries more affordable.

A Fragmented System

The trucking industry in India is very fragmented.  About 70% of truck operators run fleets with less than five vehicles. Because of this fragmentation, national services are not consistently covered, which makes them unreliable and more costly for businesses in smaller cities.

Bigship: A Tech-First Fix

Bigship is stepping in to solve these problems with a digital PTL platform that connects small businesses to multiple courier services. Features like real-time tracking, rate comparison, reverse pickups, branded notifications, and bulk order uploads give SMEs more control and visibility over their logistics.

Bridging the Gap with Tech

By digitizing the PTL process, Bigship helps SMEs cut costs, reduce delays, and expand their reach beyond local markets. Automated courier selection ensures businesses get the fastest and most cost-effective service without spending hours comparing quotes.

Why This Could Change the Game

• Empowering businesses – Reliable PTL means small sellers can confidently expand to new regions.
• Boosting trust – Transparent operations encourage repeat customers and stronger client relationships.
• Raising industry standards – Tech-first solutions pressure traditional logistics players to modernize.

With players like Bigship shaking up PTL logistics, small businesses in India’s Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have a real shot at scaling without being weighed down by inefficient shipping. If these digital solutions gain traction, PTL could finally become a competitive, reliable, and affordable option, helping regional economies grow faster than ever.

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