Masterfeeders

Masterfeeders is a term used in logistics and transportation to describe a primary feeder service or hub that aggregates cargo or passengers from multiple feeder routes before proceeding to a main destination hub or onward service. It is commonly applied within hub-and-spoke networks in air cargo, maritime shipping, and rail logistics, where a master feeder plays the role of consolidating loads from several smaller feeders to improve load factors and schedule efficiency.

In air cargo, master feeders operate from regional airports, collecting shipments from smaller carriers and forwarding them to the carrier’s main hub for long-haul connections. They may be run by an airline, a freight forwarder, or a network alliance and are intended to optimize capacity, routing, and timing across the network. In maritime shipping, the concept can describe services that consolidate cargo from feeders serving secondary ports before calling at major transshipment hubs, enhancing vessel utilization and port productivity. In rail or road networks, master feeders may refer to a primary feeder line or service that aggregates loads from multiple local feeders to a central terminal or junction.

The term is not always standardized, and definitions can vary by company or region. Core characteristics typically include consolidation, scheduled operation, coordination across partners, and a focus on network efficiency. Challenges can include complex coordination requirements and vulnerability to disruptions that affect multiple feeder services. Related concepts include hub-and-spoke networks and cargo consolidation.