# Longship

> Produce & Multi-Modal Freight Broker · Lexington, KY · Founded 2012

**Canonical URL:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/longship/
**Markdown source:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/longship/index.md
**Last updated:** 2026-05-08

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## Key facts

- Founded 2012 · headquartered in Lexington, KY
- Privately held
- 400,000+ carriers in network
- FMCSA broker authority: **ACTIVE** (MC-778936)
- #79 on Transport Topics Top 100 (2026)
- Gross revenue: $0.225B per Transport Topics 2026
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van, Reefer

## About

Longship is a Lexington, Kentucky-based produce and multi-modal freight broker established in 2012 by founder Kenny Ray Schomp, operating under the legal entity Quality Logistics LLC (DBA Longship). The company ranked #79 on the 2026 Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerage Firms list with $225 million in gross revenue and $24 million in net revenue (10.7% net margin). The company began with a single trailer transporting produce and has grown into a multi-office broker with operations in Lexington and Nashville; in 2021, Longship invested $4.3 million in a Lexington expansion creating 155 jobs per the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

Per Transport Topics 2026, Longship moves dry van truckload and refrigerated freight as primary modes, with active flatbed/heavy haul, air/expedited, and bulk/tank capability. Longship's core specialty is fresh and frozen produce freight — moving perishable shipments from California Central Valley, Mexico, and Southeast growers to Northeast and Midwest distribution centers. Cross-border Mexico and Canada capability supports North American produce supply chains.

For shippers evaluating Longship, the strongest fit is fresh, frozen, and dry produce programs — particularly transcontinental reefer moves originating in California, Mexico, or Southeast growing regions. Industries like agriculture-produce, food and beverage, and retail with significant perishable freight volume are well served. Shippers needing LTL, intermodal, parcel, or extensive value-added services may find broader-mode brokers a closer fit; Longship's value is reefer specialization plus 24/7 service.

## Load types

| Mode | Status |
|---|---|
| Dry Van TL | ● Primary |
| Refrigerated | ● Primary |
| LTL | Not offered |
| Intermodal | Not offered |
| Flatbed | ✓ Active |
| Air / Expedited | ✓ Active |
| Bulk / Tank | ✓ Active |
| Parcel | Not offered |

Source: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages, 2026

## FMCSA & Licensing

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| MC Number | MC-778936 |
| USDOT Number | USDOT 2304053 |
| Broker Authority | ● ACTIVE |
| Surety Bond | $75,000 BMC-84 · Required |

Verify status: https://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov

## Coverage

United States, Canada, and Mexico over-the-road truckload coverage

**Strongest lanes:**

- Produce belts → Northeast / Midwest
- Lexington / Mid-South Corridor
- California Central Valley → East Coast
- Tennessee Valley → Northeast

## Pros & Cons

**What shippers like:**

- Specialized produce / reefer broker — deep carrier relationships in fresh and frozen perishable freight
- Cross-border Mexico and Canada capability — natural fit for North American produce supply chains
- 400,000+ truck network equipped with GPS load tracking per company materials
- 24/7 client support — capacity coverage outside standard business hours
- Founder-owned with focused, growth-stage culture and Kentucky state-incentivized expansion

**Common complaints:**

- No LTL, intermodal, ocean, customs brokerage, or parcel services — narrower mode mix than top-50 brokers
- 10.7% net margin per Transport Topics 2026 — moderate, reflecting reefer-spot pricing pressure
- Heavily concentrated in produce and reefer freight — less competitive on dry-only domestic programs
- Younger broker (founded 2012) than long-tenured produce specialists
- Bond surety carrier and effective date pending FMCSA L&I verification — see verificationNote

## FAQ

### Is Longship licensed and bonded as a freight broker?

Longship operates under the legal entity Quality Logistics LLC (DBA Longship), holding active FMCSA broker authority MC-778936 / USDOT 2304053, registered in Lexington, KY. Verify current bond status at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov before tendering a load.

### What types of freight does Longship move?

Per Transport Topics 2026, Longship moves dry van truckload and refrigerated freight as primary modes, with active flatbed, air/expedited, and bulk/tank. Core specialty is fresh, frozen, and dry produce — including cross-border Mexico and Canada moves.

### How do Longship's rates compare to other freight brokers?

Longship reports 10.7% net margin per Transport Topics 2026 — moderate, reflecting reefer-spot pricing pressure. Strongest pricing typically on California, Mexico, and Southeast produce lanes to Northeast and Midwest distribution. Benchmark on ShipperGuide before committing.

## Best for

Shippers with fresh, frozen, or dry produce freight programs — particularly transcontinental reefer moves from California, Mexico, or Southeast growing regions to Northeast and Midwest distribution — who want a specialist broker with 24/7 service.

## Compare alternatives

- [Loadsmart / ShipperGuide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/loadsmart-shipperguide/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Inte…
- [Johanson Transportation Service](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/johanson-transportation-service/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 50 states with deep California / Wes…
- [Allen Lund Company](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/allen-lund-company/) — 10,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Cana…
- [Prosponsive Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/prosponsive-logistics/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · United States, Canada, and Mexico
- [Trinity Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/trinity-logistics/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states + Canada · Mexi…

## Sources

- Revenue and ranking: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages (annual list)
- FMCSA licensing: li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov — broker authority status verified at publication where possible
- Reviews: G2, Trustpilot, Google Business — shipper reviews only
- Listing assembled from public records. Brokers can claim/update via directory@shipperguide.com