International Forwarding Association Blog »
Ares Group has announced the investment in a new logistics center in Barcelona – La Llagosta. It has more than 4,000 m2 of warehousing space and 600 m2 of offices. The investment is motivated by the actual growth and the potential in logistics for the next years. The new facilities will be ready by the spring of 2020.
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 Airport, Port of Rotterdam, and Port of Antwerp. European Airports Heathrow Airport has a cargo hub that processes some 1.3 million tons a year, and the goal is to reach 3 million tons in 20 years. BA World Cargo is found at the airport and… Read more
Freight forwarders often ship valuable items that require special handling. From pick-up to transportation and delivery, valuables are made extra secure through digital video recording systems, armored transportation, extra insurance coverage, and security professionals. Factors to Take into Account Different factors should be weighed in when shipping high-value goods, including current events, customs, legislation, geography, and transportation infrastructure. Other factors that play a role are distance to the point of delivery, business practices, and the types of valuables to be shipped. Securing Cargo There are different ways and materials to secure valuable cargo as to protect items and ensure safe… Read more
European logistics companies use different types of packaging materials and supplies to ensure safe transit and decrease shipping costs. From flat chipboard mailers and bubble mailers to plain envelopes and fold up mailers, packaging materials come in different shapes, sizes, and varieties. Supplies by Goods Shipped Bubble mailers are often used to ship items such as books and DVDs while plain envelopes are a good choice when sending cloth goods, apparel, and other items that require little protection. Flat chipboard mailers are used for books, art prints, placemats, and other goods that are shipped flat. Boxes also come in different… Read more
Shipping liquids and food products safely can be tricky because of the risk of leaks and spills. Many logistics services providers ship liquids and food across Europe and overseas except for items that are considered unsafe or dangerous. IFA members strictly follow all relevant shipping regulations to ensure safety while in transit and at delivery. Liquids That Can Be Shipped Some liquids are safe to ship while others are prohibited or can only be sent in limited quantities. Alcoholic beverages, for example, are allowed to be shipped in some EU countries provided that certain criteria are met. Items such as… Read more
There are different types of packaging and loading equipment to ensure that cargo is secure during transit. European logistics companies also partner with major carriers to transport air and sea freight. Shipping Hazards The choice of loading and shipping equipment depends on whether different hazards are present, including altitude, extreme weather conditions, compression, vibration, and shock. Shock, for instance, occurs when items fall down or shift or are struck by other items during transit. When cargo is under load, compression may occur in the aircraft, ocean containers, railcars, and trailers. Weather may also cause damage to cargo because of humidity… Read more
Certain types of freight are prohibited and cannot be shipped by air, sea, or land, depending on the destination and mode of transport. Prohibited goods may include items such as dangerous and hazardous goods, antiques, and firearms. Prohibited Cargo and Risks Certain goods cannot be shipped or are subject to approval because of the risk of damage to vessels and containers, risk of pilferage, and risk of casualties. For example, a lashing plan and cargo details are required for the shipment of aluminum and steel items in coils in order to secure cargo. There are also requirements for the safe… Read more
The handling and shipping of oversized cargo carry certain risks, including political, social, economic, and technical risks. Assessing potential risks helps logistics services providers to develop appropriate strategies such as disaster planning, protection against political risk, assessment of providers’ financial stability, and others. Types of Risks When offering international freight services and shipping of goods by air, sea, and land, logistics services providers face economic risk. Economic risk is mainly related to bank policies and financing available to shippers in different areas. Factors that logistics companies assess include labor costs, interest rates, and terms and repayment schedules. Forwarders also face… Read more
European freight forwarders face multiple risks and challenges when shipping cargo by air, including weight and size limitations and cost. At the same time, there are many advantages to air transport, including quick transit times, shipment tracking, and low risk of damage, loss, and theft. Pros for Forwarders One of the main benefits for logistics services providers is the high level of safety and security associated with air transport. The obvious reason is the tight safety controls over air freight. As per EU standards, all cargo shipped by air must either be delivered through a secure supply chain or screened… Read more
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 main reason is that the liability of shipping lines, airlines, and other carriers is limited. This means that compensation may be significantly lower than the value of goods in transit. Customers that opt for insurance coverage are offered compensation for the cost of damaged or… Read more
Delamode Bulgaria has been named as ‘One to Watch’ in Europe in a list of business excellence published by the European Business Awards, one of world’s largest and longest running business competitions. Delamode Bulgaria was chosen as it demonstrates exceptional achievement in one of the 18 European Business Awards’ categories and reflects the programme’s core values of innovation, success and ethics. The ‘Ones to Watch’ for over 33 countries across Europe can be found at www.businessawardseurope.com. Yordan Stoyanov, Managing Director, Delamode Bulgaria commented “We are delighted to be selected in the Ones to Watch list for 2019. The achievement is… Read more
Logistic services providers move different types of freight, from oversized cargo and dangerous goods to standard and special goods. Different modes of transportation are used depending on the class assigned, including air, sea, inland waterway, rail, and road. Dangerous goods Dangerous goods fall in different categories, including corrosive substances, radioactive material, and infectious and toxic substances. Other classes include organic peroxides and oxidizers, inflammable solids and liquids, explosives, and gases. The transportation of dangerous goods is regulated under domestic legislation and European regulations, directives, and agreements. Different directives have been adopted to regulate the classification, certification, labelling, and packaging of… Read more
Sea transport was the main vehicle of international commerce for centuries and is still a popular mode of transportation due to factors such as high load capacity, low cost, and reliability in bad weather. Sea freight transport is also a preferred solution for shipments across long distances. Types of Goods Transported by Sea The main categories of cargo transported by sea include roll on/roll off, break bulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and container cargo. Container Cargo Containers are used to ship items such as computers, meat, clothing, televisions, and toys. Goods are usually shipped in containers with metal walls to… Read more
Logistics providers face different challenges and operational and strategic risks due to factors such as instability, terrorism, conflicts, and economic downturns. Freight forwarders face logistics and transportation risks associated with increasing globalization, and it is important to develop and implement strategies to safeguard transports. Main Logistics Risks The main logistics risks that companies face include mergers and acquisitions, lack of safety and security procedures, theft and hijacking, and non-performance and carrier delays. Logistics providers also face risks associated with bankruptcy of transport providers, liability for delays and loss, and new safety and security legislation. In general, operational risk refers to… Read more
Logistics services providers ship cargo on different types of vessels based on the kinds of goods to be transported. Ships come in different sizes and include reefer vessels, livestock vessels, container carriers, tanker vessels, multi-purpose vessels, and others. Size Ultra large crude carriers weigh between 320,000 and 550,000 DWT and are used to ship hazardous goods such as chemicals, liquefied natural gas, and crude oil. Very large crude carriers weigh up to 320,000 DWT while Capesize are up to 150,000 DWT and can only pass through Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope but not through the Suez Canal or… Read more
With the advance of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics and the ever increasing automation of processes, warehouse management systems help improve efficiency, reduce costs, and effectively manage supply chain operations. Management systems help freight forwarders to streamline operations such as shipping, storage, order receipt, and inventory management and counts. Warehouse Control Systems As advanced software applications, warehouse control systems help manage and oversee real-time activities in distribution centers and warehouses. Software applications direct multiple processes such as planning, balancing workflow, controlling handling equipment, and monitoring performance. Warehouse control systems also enable businesses to manage and monitor technologies such as… Read more
An effective transportation strategy not only lowers operating costs for freight forwarders but helps increase their customer base. Adopting good practices and developing innovative solutions help increase efficiency so that businesses gain competitive advantage. Choice of Transport The first step to developing an effective strategy is learning more about different modes – rail, road, air, and sea. The choice of a transportation mode depends on factors such as timing, distance, location, cost, and types of goods to be shipped. Sea and rail transport, for example, are resource-efficient modes to ship large cargo across long distances and at a lower cost…. Read more
Logistics services providers offer and use different modes of transportation to move goods, including rail, road, air, and sea transport. All modes have pros and cons in terms of safety, speed, reliability, cost, and risk of damages. Rail Transport Rail freight has benefits over other transportation options, one being that it is a cost-effective solution for long distance transits. It is also a green logistics solution in light of the fact that rail transport emits 77 percent less than road freight. It is also a more dependable transportation option in bad weather such as heavy rain or snowfall. On the… Read more
With globalization and the ever increasing interdependence of European economies, cargo theft has become a real threat. Criminal groups often target high-value goods such as pharmaceutical products and mobile devices, and the number of incidents has increased during the last couple of years. Given that billions are lost to cargo theft each year, prevention is the key to ensuring safe transit. There are some proactive steps that IFA members can take to protect cargo from getting stolen. Who Is at Risk Forwarders that serve the textile industry should be extra vigilant because clothing and apparel are more difficult to trace… Read more
Solar energy technologies have been in a constant state of growth and innovation during the last years. At the same time, businesses face multiple challenges such as unpredictability, cost of investment and fabrication costs, and storage efficiency. Services for Solar Energy Businesses To help industry partners to achieve optimal results, we offer specialized logistics solutions such as storage and distribution, air and land freight, shipping of equipment, and more. We serve small and medium-sized businesses, start-ups, and major manufacturers and provide customized logistics solutions that are tailored to their specific requirements. Shipping is one method to move oversized… Read more
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