A loading metre is one metre of trailer length taken at full width (about 2.4 m). It is worked out by multiplying the cargo’s length by its width and dividing by 2.4: two Euro pallets side by side (1.2 × 0.8 m) make 0.4 LDM; a standard semi-trailer offers 13.6 LDM.
Because floor-occupying cargo cannot be stacked on, the operator charges for the trailer space it takes, not for the weight. The usual convention equates 1 LDM with about 1,750 kg: denser cargo is priced by weight, lighter cargo by loading metre.
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