Let's Talk Logistics

It’s the flower shippers who deserve the love on Valentine’s Day!

Most people have no idea what those beautiful flowers go through to get to you. The ones that wind up on coffee tables and office desks across the U.S. -- it’s not just a stroll down from the local flower shop. Oh, no. It is more likely that those beautiful buds have traveled thousands of miles, through various temperature zones, over bumpy roads and border crossings, and even through ports to get to you.

Picture the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday, but on STEROIDS. That is what it is like during the Chinese New Year (CNY) in the Eastern half of the world in January and February. It is the largest human migration in the world. For countries like China, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, the event is celebrated not only for a few days or even a week, but two weeks. 

The dates change from year to year depending on the calendar. This year, CNY is much later than it was in 2020, by 18 days. According to Wikipedia, the criteria used to establish the dates is as follows: “The first day of the Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February. 

In 2021, the first day of the Chinese New Year will be on Friday, February 12, which is the Year of the Ox. The celebration lasts until February 22, but preparations often begin as early as February 4.

Cost savings should be at the top of every shippers list this year. There is no question that freight rates have taken a giant leap skyward over the last six to nine months. Shipping costs have ballooned ever since the pandemic took hold and consumer’s erratic buying behaviors turned the market upside down. 

Choosing the right transportation provider to help move your freight in 2021 could be the most critical factor influencing your business’s bottom line. For some companies, it could be the difference between keeping your doors open or going out of business. 

(Source: DAT Solutions, LLC.)

Did you know that even the smallest shipper can take advantage of the huge advances in freight technology simply by using the right transportation partner? That is not the only good news. These platforms are available at no cost to the shipper or their business. Whaaa? Yes, it is true. 

There is no better time than 2021 to embrace a data-driven mindset, and the reasons are many—the most important one being because you simply can! Freight brokers and 3PLs have invested millions in the digitization of the supply chain, optimizing every step of a shipment transaction so that freight moves more quickly, accurately, and cost-efficiently than ever before.  That saves shippers thousands on freight spend each year. Since all this newfangled tech is free and easily accessible, why wouldn't a shipper want to use it?

This is the time of year when everyone in the logistics industry should be on the lookout for heightened cargo-theft activity. Historically speaking, holidays have been prime time for thieves to hone their skills and get away with as much plunder as possible. This year, because of COVID-19, cases of cargo theft are increasing.

Why have cargo thefts increased?

Part of the reason is sheer volume. Freight volumes for durable goods have hit an all-time high in 2020, with significant fluctuations in the marketplace. Volumes and capacity have unexpectedly surged from one quarter to the next, echoing the increases in COVID-19 cases. Consumer behaviors such as overstocking on paper goods and online shopping have resulted in a hectic logistics industry with tight capacity and high rates. For truck robbers, this unexpected freight boom has created opportunity by putting tons of goods on the road, and at risk.

Nobody looks forward to dealing with freight claims, but they are a necessary part of doing business. Even though they can be frustrating and time-consuming, the way you process a claim can be the difference between receiving full compensation or kicking yourself because you made an avoidable, costly mistake. If a consignee (or shipper) does not follow proper procedures in the claim process, there is the possibility that he or she will not receive any reimbursement. 

"I am thinking about outsourcing my claims management. Why should I do that?"

There are many reasons to consider outsoucring your freight claims management. It can improve your cash flow, capture lost revenue, provide timely resolution, and reduce the loss of valuable resources that might otherwise be tied up tracking down and filing claim information. 

Why Do I Need Shipper's Interest Cargo Insurance? 

What is the first question you ask when the unexpected happens and you are facing lost, stolen or damaged freight? For most shippers, it is … “Am I covered?”

You know you need to file a claim, but first comes the headache-inducing, fact gathering chore that is necessary with any accident or loss. You need answers to: Is everyone okay? How much damage is there? Who is responsible? What will insurance cover? Who is at fault? How much will it cost my company in time and lost revenue? What do I do next?

When facing these freight claims issues, the time it takes to deal with unpaid and unresolved problems is costly for your company in more ways than you think. No matter what disaster comes your way, being prepared and knowing how to take care of it quickly will let you get back to your main business of conducting business.

Our Team of Logistics Pros Offer Shippers Valuable Insights 

U.S. Shipping Volumes

The leaves are falling and so may be your profits this peak season. It is a wild and wooly freight market this year and the supply chain has dealt shippers a tough hand. We are fighting a pandemic that has far-reaching economic and personal ramifications. Shipping volumes are 50 percent higher than either of the last two years. High rates and lack of capacity keep gnawing away at profits, just like the virus keeps rearing its ugly head around the country. Relying on historical trends has become pointless with a market that is as unpredictable as this year’s presidential race (or as President Trump’s next tweet). 2018 dealt us a bull market, 2019 was flat, and well, we all know the story this year.

Documentation: The Essential Safety Net in Cold Freight Shipping

Tracking & Real-Time Visibility

Less than a decade ago, a shipment of frozen fish would leave a dock in California and possibly go through several different states and several different temperature zones before arriving at its destination. It also may have had several deliveries along the way. The shipper knew it was frozen when it left its place of origin, and the receiver made a notation that it was frozen upon arrival at its destination. But what about the four hours it sat in an open truck while other cargo was being unloaded on a hot 102°F day in the Southwest? Before GPS tracking and real-time visibility, there was no way of knowing what happened in between points A, B, C, and D.

Packaging, Palletizing, Staging and Pre-cooling

It may sound simple, but shipping refrigerated cargo successfully starts with proper packaging, palletizing, and loading of the product. Many claims relating to spoiled or damaged temperature-controlled cargo begin with poorly executed pre-loading procedures. 

These topics and others will be the focus of our upcoming webinar, "Refrigerated Shipping: Myths versus Facts." In the meantime, read on to learn some of the most important things shippers can do to keep their perishable freight safe.