Transportation and logistics are among the key enablers of the supply chain. Both have strong interconnections to supply chain operations in ensuring the success of different kinds of commercial activity across the globe. While transportation implies the movement of goods or information or even people, cargo logistics is a more specialized branch overseeing the movement of different types of goods that are termed as cargo. The key considerations in cargo logistics are cost, safety, and time of delivery.
Cargo logistics plays a prominent role in all the processes required for mobilizing, checking, and managing cargo being moved from one location to another via sea, air or land. The objective is to manage cargo movements in a systematic manner from its source location to its destination.
Why cargo logistics is not a cakewalk
Unprecedented delays and disruptive events of recent years have taught us the importance of supply chain resilience to keep business competitive. Otherwise, the global economy could grind to a halt. The supply chain network, including cargo logistics and transportation, must be robust and resilient enough to withstand future shocks and uncertainties.
Supply chain management entails a myriad of processes and specialized activities, and each of them must be conducted in a streamlined and seamless manner for overall resilience. Some key attributes that must be developed are adaptability, preparedness, and quick recovery. Streamlining transportation and cargo logistics have become matters of priority to ensure supply chains are managed seamlessly and dynamically.
Today, with ecommerce platforms growing in popularity, your end-customers expect speedy and safe delivery of their purchased goods. In fact, global commercial activity is incessant, which translates to an escalating demand for transportation and cargo logistics. As a business, you must rest assured that your cargo is not only stored efficiently but also transported in a reliable and timely manner. Only then can the end-customer’s demands be satisfactorily met.
It’s not just extreme events that tend to disturb the smooth rhythm of cargo logistics. There are some typical and common roadblocks such as transportation risks, regulatory compliance demands, inflationary prices of fuel, labor shortage, fleet/driver management issues, handling fragile/perishable/inflammable cargo etc.
Although cargo logistics is complexity-ridden and streamlining it for efficiency is tough, being prepared and future-ready will be the key.
As a business engaging in international and domestic trade, you need a dependable cargo logistics provider to help you ride over these roadblocks and safely move your precious cargo according to the prescribed cargo and logistics guidelines and practices.
Considerations for finding an end-to-end cargo logistics partner
Harnessing technology and data: Handling uncertainties and critical situations that might occur when your valuable cargo needs to be moved or is in transit, can be one of your greatest worries. However, the negative impact of supply chain disruptions during the pandemic years have highlighted opportunities for improvement. Extreme weather or geopolitical tensions can seriously impede the smooth transportation of your cargo.
Using advanced technology, analytics and automation can keep you prepared for any contingency in cargo logistics by dramatically improving your forecasting and planning capabilities.
Data must become your biggest asset. Using data to closely track cargo and offer insights for cargo logistics decision-making will greatly simplify your transportation needs. A lot depends on your logistics partner’s ability to use data and sophisticated technology, connected devices, cloud-based services, and logistics tools.
Keeping overheads in control: hikes in costs of fuel, driver etc. will directly impact your transportation costs. A cargo logistics provider with a well-managed fleet and transportation process can make the process affordable.
Complexities of regulations: As your business expands, you will encounter a wide range of environmental protection laws, government policies and regulatory norms. These will vary from region to region, and based on the kind of cargo being transported etc. at the national and international levels. Your cargo logistics needs must be met while complying with all these regulations. Otherwise, it can mean hefty penalties, hold up the cargo in transit, delays and loss to your business reputation as well as financially.
Contributing to sustainable, environment-friendly practices: Global climate change is a serious crisis looming over our world. Reducing carbon emissions is becoming a business imperative. As an eco-conscious business you want a cargo logistics partner who can shrink your carbon footprint and practises eco-friendly packaging and sustainable transportation methods. Moreover, they could help optimize the route for transporting your cargo for time and cost efficiencies and reduce potential waste in the resources utilized.
Boosting service and experience quality: From documentation to storage and delivery of your cargo, a seasoned provider of cargo logistics will be prompt, accurate, and understand your needs so that your transportation experience is hassle-free and seamless, consistently exceeding your expectations.
Matching stiff timelines and other specific parameters: Depending on the nature of your cargo, it may need special handling, packaging, specific conditions for storage in the warehouse and in transit. Some types of cargo like medicines/vaccines/perishables are also time-bound, which requires focused attention to these needs by your cargo logistics partner.
Becoming future-ready in cargo logistics and transportation In view of these considerations, your ideal candidate for a cargo logistics service provider must effectively address all these concerns, help streamline your cargo transportation needs with seamless logistics operations. Above all, they must enable you to be future-ready. Domain expertise and experience will be the basic capabilities you expect your cargo logistics partner.
As a modern business, you have unique and diverse transportation requirements based on the specific industry, applicable regulatory protocols among other factors. Therefore, additionally, you must look for bringing partner who upholds proactive strategies and practices, while fulfilling your cargo logistics needs, end to end.