In logistics, warehouses serve as nodes in the supply chain where goods are received, stored, and distributed, facilitating the smooth operation of the European freight forwarders’ services. Additionally, these facilities help forwarders to consolidate shipments and provide value-added services such as packaging, labelling, and quality control. Depending on the specific needs and scale of operations, […]

The flourishing container shipping industry, integral to the European logistics network, has prompted an uptick in demand for new, expansive vessels. Forecasts for 2023 to 2025 suggest that the freshly minted fleet will comprise 27% of the total operational capacity. This investment in new vessels is primarily driven by anticipated future demand and the enhanced […]

Congestion presents a considerable challenge for today’s world, albeit an unavoidable one. The repercussions translate into extended journey durations for freight transporters, a dip in vehicle usage, and a reduction in fuel efficiency. The costs associated with running a fleet climb, market reach diminishes, freight charges increase, and the predictability of delivery and pick-up schedules […]

The current climate of the air freight industry may appear frail at first glance, yet optimism prevails among airlines, freight forwarders, and experts. While the situation seems bleak, they believe that it is unlikely to deteriorate any further. Indeed, in spite of recent downward trends and challenges, the industry’s outlook suggests an upcoming rise in […]

Reverse logistics – the process of managing the return of products from the end customers back to the seller, has become increasingly important for companies across Europe. The retail e-commerce industry continues to grow rapidly – according to Morgan Stanley’s forecast, the global e-commerce market is expected to expand from $3.3 trillion currently to $5.4 […]

Today’s supply chains are being impacted by multiple disruptions, but it’s not all negative. The advent of digital innovation is one example expected to enhance precision, nimbleness, cost-efficiency, and security in the logistics arena. Its adoption by an increasing number of businesses is reshaping the landscape of the sector. In 2022, the value of the […]

As globalization intensifies and supply chains evolve into complex networks, the freight forwarding industry is reinventing itself. Europe stands at the forefront of this revolution, leveraging multimodal transportation as a pivotal strategy. This dynamic approach integrates various transportation modes—road, rail, sea, and air and leverages their unique advantages. However, the impact of integrated transport in […]

The heartbeat of Europe’s economy, logistics, is experiencing a significant disturbance: a shortage of truck drivers. According to research published in 2022, Europe currently grapples with a shortfall of 380,000 truck drivers, accounting for roughly 10% of the total demand. This scarcity, primarily fueled by demographic shifts, the gender gap, image perceptions, and stringent regulations, […]

The backbone of effective supply chains, warehousing operations, often host various forms of waste. These wasteful practices, including excessive inventory, waiting time, inefficient transportation, and over-processing, pose operational challenges that directly impact the performance and efficiency of freight forwarders.   The Consequences of Excessive Inventory In the warehousing context, excessive inventory involves overstocking goods beyond […]

Freight forwarding plays a key role in facilitating trade and ensuring the efficient movement of goods across borders. Within Europe, several factors influence the freight forwarding industry, including geographical location and infrastructure, regulatory framework and customs procedures, market competition, and environmental sustainability. Understanding these factors is crucial for strategic decision-making, compliance, enhanced efficiency, market expansion, […]

International trade agreements have a significant impact on the European freight forwarding industry, shaping the landscape in which businesses operate. Navigating these agreements is important for freight forwarders as they influence trade flows, customs procedures, tariffs, and market access. The main important trade agreements with implications for IFA members are the Comprehensive Economic and Trade […]

Customs clearance can be a challenging and complex process for European freight forwarders, due to a number of reasons. From tariffs and duties and compliance requirements to documentation, there are many challenges to navigating and moving cargo across borders.   Tariffs and Duties Customs clearance often entails the payment of taxes, duties, and tariffs, which […]

As the global economy becomes more complex, supply chain risk is on the rise. With globalization and the growing number of customers and suppliers, supply chains are longer and more intricate, making them vulnerable to a variety of security and logistics risks. These risks include cyber threats, economic instability, natural disasters, and political unrest, among […]

International shipping can be a complex process due to factors such as time zones, language barriers, and regulatory and customs compliance. This is especially true for businesses that are new to importing and exporting. One of the main decisions they should make is whether to work with a global or local logistics provider. While global […]

With multiple laws, regulations, and international trade agreements, the European logistics industry is highly regulated, meaning that certain certifications, insurance coverage, and shipping documents are required to move goods across borders. Compliance is key to avoiding reputational risks, delivery delays, and penalties. At the same time, compliance can help freight forwarders gain a competitive edge […]

The freight forwarding industry is faced with a number of logistics challenges, including cooperation with various stakeholders, customs clearance, and optimizing transportation routes, to name a few. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in implementing AI technologies to improve cost-effectiveness, safety, and efficiency and enhance the customer experience. European freight forwarders are […]

Moving goods across distances can be a complex process, with cargo often being shipped across international borders. The International Forwarding Association members make every effort to reduce risks, including damage and loss, but unexpected risks and accidents may occur. For this reason, it is important that logistics companies become familiar with the various types of […]

In an increasingly globalized, hyper-connected world, managing the flow of goods can be both challenging and complicated. Some common challenges that European logistics businesses face include supply chain disruptions, changing market conditions, environmental sustainability, and communication and collaboration with multiple parties.   Supply Chain Disruptions Supply chain disruptions can occur for a number of reasons, […]

As the Earth’s population continues to grow and trade volumes increase, shipping companies are faced with pressure to adopt sustainability practices and minimize their environmental impact. European freight forwarders and IFA members, in particular, have an important role to play in a variety of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability in their operations. Prominent examples are […]

Shipping cargo by plane can be an efficient, safe, and quick way to move goods but there are some risks to be aware of, including human error, extreme weather, turbulence, cargo fires, and shipping hazardous materials. In some cases, a combination of factors may influence outcomes, such as extreme weather, communication problems between the crew […]