laadvolumes

Laadvolumes is a term used in logistics and warehousing to describe the available space for loading cargo within a transport unit, storage rack, or container. In practice, it refers to the volumetric capacity—measured in cubic meters or cubic feet—of the space that can be occupied by goods, independent of the weight that can be carried.

The laadvolume is determined by the interior dimensions of the space and any obstructions or fixtures. It is typically reported by equipment manufacturers for containers, trailers, trucks, or warehouses. It may be expressed as gross usable volume (the total interior space) or net usable volume (space that can actually be accessed and filled with goods, after considering pallets, bracing, temperature-control equipment, and other fixtures).

In planning, laadvolumes are used alongside payload capacity to optimize loading, route selection, and container utilization. They influence packing patterns, pallet configurations, intermodal transfers, and warehouse storage design. The concept also underpins volume-based pricing and dimensional weight calculations used by carriers.

Related terms include cargo volume, usable space, gross volume, and cube utilization. While "laadvolume" is a Dutch term, the concept is widely used in international logistics under equivalents such as load volume or cargo volume.