Demurrage is a fee that port officials place on cargo that overstays its time at a terminal.
Panama Canal Transits Lowering
With the Panama Canal being one of the most important trade routes in international shipping, limitations have a considerable impact.
Shipping By Air Or Ocean
While both methods can be equally valuable to a supply chain, specific shipments benefit from one.
Shipping During The Hurricane Season
While uncontrollable situations can happen when shipping during the hurricane season, there are ways a shipper can prepare.
Congestion in the Panama Canal
The importance of the Panama Canal is shown by the extensive number of supply chains that rely on it. With the number of ships stuck in the traffic jam, the main impact is shipping delays.
The Panama Canal Facing Restrictions
he Panama Canal is a crucial global trade route and a significant passageway for supply chains requiring international shipping. It is an ideal shortcut in maritime container transportation and generates over $2 billion yearly for Panama’s economy. With some of the most prominent carrier companies transporting through the canal, restrictions may significantly impact supply chains.
West Coast Ports Disruptions Persist
The disruptions continued in the Port of Seattle with the shutdown of the entire seaport on June 10th. On June 9th, the second and third shifts experienced massive slowdowns as ILWU officials led operations to a pause. The Port Authority responded by sending the workers home; insufficient workers led to closure the next day. This port is one of the biggest movers of grain and produce in the U.S. Shipments from U.S. exporters are currently idle at the docks, with the ILWU declining to dispatch terminal workers. The ILWU made a contradictory statement: that the Port of Seattle and other ports are operating.
Union Worker Action Close West Coast Ports
Several ports across the West Coast closed abruptly due to union workers walking off the job. The Port of Oakland experienced a closure on both the TraPac and its largest, the SSA terminal. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach similarly had terminal shutdowns due to insufficient labor. Negotiations between the PMA and the ILWU have reached a boiling point. To show their frustrations over insufficient wage talks, ILWU workers have gone on strike, affecting port operations.
NVOCC vs. Freight Forwarders
While NVOCCs and freight forwarders both have their benefits, the answer depends on the shipment being made by the shipper. The most significant distinction is that NVOCCs are only for maritime shipping, while forwarders move cargo differently. If a business moves goods by the ocean, NVOCCs can provide personalized services and help shippers avoid the intermediary fee. This is because they are independent carriers instead of agents. Forwarders benefit from allowing different ways to transport goods. Businesses with international supply chains can take advantage of having their entire freight journey handled. Forwarders also have extra services not provided by NVOCCs, such as warehousing and customs clearance.
The Value of Customer Relationships in Freight Forwarding
In international trade, freight forwarders are the intermediaries that handle the logistics of getting your goods to the final destination. Forwarders coordinate with carriers and warehouses to find the best routes for cargo transportation. When choosing a forwarder, the customer should be mindful of how much effort the forwarder is willing to put into having a solid and long-lasting relationship. When examining how much the forwarding agent values their bonds with customers, there are specific indicators to look for.