Artificial intelligence can provide forwarders with an opportunity to enhance their decision-making capacity. Data transmitted by commercial vessels, for example, can be used for predictive guidance and performance monitoring, enabling businesses to forecast greenhouse gas emissions. This is a way to lower emission levels and ensure carbon transparency. Other implementations include automated processes, improved scheduling, […]
Logistics can be divided into a number of branches, each with its functions and specifics. The main branches are production, procurement, sales, and recovery logistics. These functional areas cover a wide range of activities such as packaging, transportation, inventory control, storage and distribution, materials handling, and order processing, to name a few. Production […]
Warehouse automation is a major trend amidst a coronavirus pandemic that already entered its second year. The resulting global recession and lockdowns across the world brought industrial activity to a near halt. As manufacturers began to gradually reopen and resume operations, forwarders throughout Europe found themselves faced with multiple challenges – e-commerce logistics, a growing […]
With vaccines receiving regulatory approval for roll out by national authorities, hopes are high that the pandemic is slowly coming to an end. It has been a difficult year, however, with millions of people hard hit by restrictions, lockdowns, and school closures. Many industries have been affected as well and are still struggling to recover […]
If the vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech gets approved, distribution and storage requirements can pose a significant challenge to mass immunization. Pfizer and BioNTech just announced that their vaccine is over 90 percent effective but must be transported at minus 70 degrees Celsius. Demand would be significant and immediate and far exceeding what manufacturers are […]
Shipping restrictions vary by country and may apply to items such as explosives, combustibles, firearms, and corrosives, which are subject to special controls. In the European Union, restricted or prohibited goods fall in three categories – pirated or counterfeit goods, dangerous chemicals, and endangered species. Dangerous Chemicals Hazardous chemicals that are subject to […]
Earth population growth is not expected to slow down over the next 80 years, making global sourcing the key to meeting growing demand for agricultural products. Producers, farmers, and growers market and sell commodities that are shipped to different parts of the world. There are import requirements, regulations, and guidelines, however, that EU freight forwarders […]
Free movement of goods and people is a core value of the European Union, but this doesn’t mean that everything can be shipped. To ensure that small shipments and cargo pass customs, it is important to become familiar with the conditions under which items can be shipped between EU Member States. Alcohol The rules for […]
US President Donald Trump suspended all travel from and to Europe on 13 March, and many European logistics providers wonder whether cargo will be affected. What Trump Said about Cargo Initially President Trump announced that the restrictions also apply to cargo shipped from Europe to the United States. He then tweeted to say that […]
Waste is shipped by sea, railway, and road transport across borders, and the goal is final disposal or recycling. Hazardous waste is also shipped from generator sites to processing facilities that can store, treat, and recycle shipments. Regulations In the European Union, freight forwarders that are shipping waste are subject to the ADR and IMDG […]
Demand for beauty products is constantly on the rise, including shower and bath products, deodorants, sun care, fragrances, and oral, skin, and hair care. What Counts as Cosmetics Beauty products that help alter or enhance appearance count as cosmetics. This category includes a wide range of products such as face masks, hair dyes, makeup, perfumes, […]
The Brexit deal is already a fact and transforming the logistics supply chain across Northern Europe. While retailers and consumers expect fast and efficient fulfillment of orders, movement of goods across borders may lead to delays in stock replenishment. What Brexit Means for Forwarders During the transitional period, freight forwarders may need to obtain international […]
While many freight forwarders still use low-tech solutions and manpower, more and more services providers adopt advanced solutions to meet ever-rising standards and expectations. Here are some of the tech trends that are quickly transforming the logistics industry. Blockchain Technology for Increased Automation Many services providers have embraced blockchain technology because of advantages such as […]
Robots are increasingly used by European logistics companies because they help automate processes and improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Logistics robots are mostly used in storage facilities and warehouses to move, store, and transport goods. Recent Developments and Future Trends According to the World Robotics 2018 Service Reports by the International Federation of Robotics, in 2017 […]
The busiest airports and ports in Europe handle large quantities of cargo thanks to their advanced technologies and strategic location. Some of the largest cargo hubs serve more than 400 destinations and ensure reliable and safe transport. International freight forwarders ship parcels and cargo from major ports and airports such as the Heathrow Airport, Brussels […]
Cargo insurance protects loads against risks such as theft, damage, loss, and other incidents. Unpredictable weather and local conditions, infrastructure quality, and policies and regulations make shipping and handling of cargo more complex. To this end, insurance helps protect cargo in storage and transit by compensating for the value of loads. Why Purchase Insurance The […]
The majority of the logistics managers from the European Logistics Network are faced with multiple challenges and need to multi-task on a daily basis. This is partly due to the boost of international trade and the increasing demand for timely, cheap and reliable international freight forwarding services but there are many other problems which need […]
For years, various logistics companies from the European logistics network have been using gamification as a tool for educating, motivating and improving the performance of the employees of the international freight forwarding companies. What is gamification and how it can affect the quality of the services provided by the International Forwarding Association Gamification is the […]
The logistics freight forwarding services are an essential part of the activities of many companies and people. With the growing demand for forwarding services due to the increasingly intensifying trade, online commerce and the mobility of the people who are moving to live, work or study in different places and countries, the expectations of the […]
Logistics is inextricably linked to business. Here are several tendencies for 2018 which are expected to improve the efficiency of the freight forwarding service this year: An increase of the profits from omnichannel supply Omnichannel supply will continue to play a significant role in the international freight services and the forwarding services will be organized […]