SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Freelancer Limited (ASX: FLN), the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by number of users and jobs posted, announced the merger of its freight divisions, Frieghtlancer and Loadshift.

Both platforms will merge under the Loadshift banner, forming Australia’s largest transport marketplace which has delivered over 125 million kilometres of freight across Australia in the last 12 months.

The merger will transform Loadshift from a simple membership-based bulletin board to a full marketplace for freight, and in the process of doing so introduces a 3% (for shippers) 10% (for carriers) commission-based model for non-members, replicating the model of Freelancer.com.

In the last 12 months, Loadshift saw a notional Gross Load Value of $350 million of freight posted, presenting an opportunity to translate a portion to actualised Gross Load Value and revenue at a 13% commission.

New features as part of the move to a marketplace includes secure payments, invoice financing, ratings and reviews, improved vetting and managed services offerings including freight operations and project management.

Recently, the division successfully transported the Pride of the Murray paddle steamer to its new home in the Thompson River, a 1,750 km voyage at a maximum of 80 km/hour with a 192 tonne payload. This was the largest overland marine transport operation ever attempted in Australian history.

“Merging our freight division into one platform is a significant milestone for the business. Combining the two platforms will give our carriers more opportunities to find loads, while offering shippers access to more carriers across Australia. Today, we are moving everything from grain to machinery across the country.” said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive at Freelancer Limited.