MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Link Logistics and The Internet Truckstop, two of more significant players in the electronic load-matching business, will offer access to their combined databases, making more than 120,000 loads and trucks in the U.S. and Canada available online each day.

The agreement will allow both companies to expand the number of cross-border and foreign-based loads they can offer customers, according to Rick Court, Link Logistics vice-president and chief operating officer. “Our customers want greater U.S. penetration,” he said. “This agreement gives us right now what would have taken a great deal of time to develop: a database with the kind of depth in the U.S. that our customers have been demanding without a high cost attached.”

Both companies will offer the combined “North American” database to customers for an additional fee.

The Internet Truckstop, based in New Plymouth, Idaho, claims to be the oldest, fastest-growing Internet-based freight-matching service, handling more than 10,000 loads a day. Link Logistics of Mississauga, Ont., is the predominant freight-matching service in Canada.

The companies offer distinct products. For a monthly fee, The Internet Truckstop allows subscribers to view posted loads at its web site via common browser software like Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Link Logistics customers use proprietary software to access a variety of information about available freight, including credit information about those who post loads, and routing and fuel optimization.