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.
The Transition to Electronic Shipping
Paperless shipping has recently surged in popularity, and many top carriers have followed the trend. Nine of the largest ocean carrier companies have even committed to a fully electronic bill of lading by 2030. The bill of lading, or BL, is traditionally a document that a carrier issues on physical paper. A completely 100% electronic BL is a milestone in shipping and can lead to a fully digital supply chain in the future.
Florida’s Importance to the Freight Forwarding Industry
The freight forwarding industry in Florida has thrived due to the many conveyance methods available for moving shipments. Florida boasts 19 commercial airports, 21 foreign trade zones, 15 seaports, and various railroads located throughout the state. In 2019, Florida moved 912 million tons of freight valued at over $1.1 trillion in its freight system. The state’s positioning benefits freight forwarders and shippers by allowing solutions to streamline supply chains. Florida’s growing population has increased the volume of cargo moved in and out every year.
Flower Shipping During this Valentine’s Season
A typical shipment moved globally for Valentine’s Day celebrations is flowers. Over 1.1 billion flowers are imported into the U.S. and inspected annually by customs. Out of all the imports, most are roses produced and transported from farms in Colombia.
Grain Exports During Record Low Water Levels
The Mississippi river has reached its lowest water levels in over a decade due to a drought. One of the most significant consequences is felt in grain exports. This is because over half of the grains exported from the U.S. flows through the river.
Holiday Season Logistics of Small Businesses
Regardless of your business size, there are different parts to shipping your goods to your customers. These crucial parts can affect the whole supply chain if one part goes wrong. This may be even more critical during this holiday season with increasing global demand to ship goods. The pressure to move freight has gone up over the last few years.