The Best Way to Work with Large-Scale Shipping!

Large-scale shipping

With over $19 Trillion in goods moving through U.S. transportation networks alone, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, shippers are reevaluating their shipping strategies in dealing with large-scale shipping to take better advantage of a thriving global logistics marketplace.

Broken down into days, that $19 Trillion becomes even more impressive: “The annual numbers mean that on average 54 million tons of goods valued at $52 billion a day moved throughout the country on all transportation modes.”

For shippers, understanding how best to take advantage of the shipping boom isn’t just a business advantage–it’s a necessity. 

Though consumers often think of the global economy as small packages arriving on doorsteps, large-scale shipping forms the backbone of the global supply chain. Often transported multimodally, these shipments represent enormous investments for customers and shippers alike. 

However, multimodal transportation often leaves large-scale shipments vulnerable to logistical mishaps, resulting in delays or, worse, damages. For small shipments, a brief delay or slight damage can often be easily fixed, either through reconsolidation strategies or compensation.

But for larger shipments, sometimes representing entire cargo vessels full of freight, reconsolidation is not an option, and an unexpected compensatory pay-out could quickly bankrupt a business. 

For shippers interested in large-scale shipping, a few quick considerations could prevent disaster. By closely analyzing a few key areas, as well as developing a better understanding of their own capabilities, shippers can better position themselves to take advantage of bigger–and better–logistics. 

Search and Find the Right Carrier For Each Load

There’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all logistics, so why should shippers settle for anything less than the perfect fit? Finding a suitable carrier for each load can mean the difference between a smooth, seamless supply chain and a logistics process filled with delays and damages. 

Before shippers select a carrier partner for large-scale shipping, they should first consider that carrier’s track record: does that shipper have a record of delivering on time? What is their safety record? If the answer to these questions is anything other than ‘yes’ and ‘stellar,’ it’s time to look elsewhere. 

Beyond safety and speed, shippers should consider the tech-stack of potential carriers. If a carrier uses an outdated tech stack, one without a readily compatible API (Automatic Programming Interface), then shippers could face long delays in communication and, worse, impaired visibility over valuable large-scale shipments. 

Lastly, performing a rigorous cost-benefit analysis of a few carriers can provide shippers with unprecedented insight into what a specific carrier can offer their business. In large-scale shipping, carriers can readily charge shippers astronomical amounts for logistics services. Understanding these costs’ benefits can help ocean freight shippers–and shareholders–go into transit contracts worry-free. 

Consolidating Orders for Fewer Trips and Less Fuel Use

With volatile fuel prices complicating supply chains across the globe, shippers are searching for new strategies to save on fuel costs. One fast, easy way to save big on fuel is to implement smart consolidation strategies. Shippers can dodge the worst effects of higher fuel prices while providing faster, more efficient service by sending a single FT (full truckload) instead of several smaller LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments

However, freight consolidation can be a tricky task, often requiring tech-enabled allocation strategies to ensure that the right freight ends up in the right place. Luckily, a wide range of freight visibility solutions are taking advantage of recent advancements in logistics technology to help shippers with the intelligent allocation to meet any supply chain disruption head-on.

Opt For Off-Peak Shipping Services When Possible

Today’s customers want reliable shipping, and they want it faster than ever. A full 96% of customers reported that they consider fast shipping to be same-day delivery, as reported by FreightWaves. This puts more pressure than ever on shippers to get goods to customers with unprecedented speed. However, meeting this demand can often be expensive, making it difficult for shippers to compete with fast-shipping giants. 

One way for shippers to stand out in a market dominated by fast shipping is to offer lower shipping costs on off-peak shipping. By offering competitive visibility and lower pricing at unexpected times of the year, shippers can build a loyal customer base. Especially for large-scale shipments, the off-peak advantage can allow shippers to offer competitive pricing and stand out from the competition. 

Streamlining the Picking and Packaging Process

With more focus than ever on last mile shipping expenses, which now account for 53% of total shipping costs, some shippers neglect to examine early supply chain processes. The picking and packaging process can quickly become the lengthiest, most complex part of a container shipper’s logistics process. When these inefficient processes are forced to grapple with dozens upon dozens of small shipments, it becomes almost impossible for shippers to create an effective logistics strategy.

Shippers can expedite the picking and packaging process by refocusing on large-scale shipping services, saving on expensive processing costs while ensuring a more efficient, visible downstream logistics process. 

Setting Up and Measuring KPIs and Other Metrics 

Today’s conflict-crowded world and competitive logistics marketplace demand that shippers react quickly to sudden changes in the trends that drive logistics. Shippers are forced to guess at their next move without industry-wide visibility–a risky proposition, especially when transporting large scale, high-stakes shipments. 

Investing in an API that provides key efficiency metrics like KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) can give businesses the visibility they need to adapt to a dynamic logistics marketplace. Real-time data and automated alerts mean that shippers can rest easy knowing their large-scale shipments are taken care of. With analytics-enabled logistics, shippers can provide customers with accurate ETAs.

Master Large Scale Shipping Services With the Right Insight and Guidance from OpenTrack

In an uncertain world, shippers need all the visibility they can get. This is especially true for the large-scale, make-or-break shipments quickly becoming the preferred freight for shippers worldwide.

Through a partnership with OpenTrack, a high-tech, easily integrated freight tracking software solution, shippers can access the visibility they need to deliver on time, every time. Book a demo with OpenTrack today, and see how simple, fast, smart, and accurate logistics can help your business succeed.

 

Large-scale shipping article and permission to publish here provided by Ann Gapasin. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on July 26, 2022.