International Forwarding Association Blog »
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 the suspension does not apply to freight and trade and only to people. He also clarified that the free flow of goods between the EU and U.S. is an economic priority. His initial comment that cargo falls under the travel ban caused anxiety and confusion among… Read more
European countries have implemented different measures and restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which to varying degrees have an impact on the logistics and transportation sector. Some of these measures specifically apply to ports and may be of interest to European logistics providers. France The French authorities ordered a sanitary watch for several ports, among which Le Havre and Rouen. In case that Masters of vessels notice any symptoms of infection among crew, they are required to submit a health maritime declaration form and notify their agent without undue delay. Masters submitting a maritime declaration of health… Read more
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 regulations, EU Directive 1013/2006, and the Basel Convention Regulations. Directive 1013/2006 states that all shipments must take place in such a way as to protect human health and the environment. The directive governs shipments in transit, to and from third countries, and between EU Member… Read more
The coronavirus outbreak and associated civil and health protection measures may have a serious impact on the EU economy. The EU Commission and other institutions are closely following developments in different sectors, including tourism, trade, transportation, and manufacturing. Impact on Sea Transport According to the International Chamber of Shipping, shipping by container vessels from China has dropped by 1/3 during the last month alone. Companies have already begun to cut the number of vessels sailing from various destinations around the world. This is especially true for China, the second largest economy where major industries have been seriously affected. Keeping… Read more
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, shampoos, and hair sprays. European logistics companies also ship products such as putties, styling gels, mousses, whitening products, mouthwashes, and toothpastes. Packaging Adequate packaging is important when shipping beauty products and includes cushioning materials, thermal bubble wrap, and cardboard boxes. Leak-proof, sealed containers are usually… Read more
Freight forwarders often transport fish products across Europe, including dried, salted, live, and fresh fish. Factors they need to account for include type of product, distance, and transportation costs. Products and Shipping Requirements Fresh Fish Different factors play a role when transporting preserved and fresh fish. Fresh fish must be shipped to a distribution or holding facility as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. The goal is to deliver high quality, fresh products that meet consumer expectations. Some species require additional processing such as cooling, packing, and canning but the period from catching fish to delivery is important to preserving quality…. Read more
Shipping medical devices and equipment requires careful packing, crating, and unloading by following safety procedures as to avoid damage. European logistics companies often ship medical equipment for research and medical facilities, manufacturers, private practitioners, clinics, and hospitals. Types of Medical Equipment Hospitals and other healthcare facilities use different types of medical devices and equipment such as gastroscopes, ultrasound, X-ray units, oxygen concentrators, and patient monitors. Surgical units require instruments such as Bonney and tissue forceps, skin glue, rake and malleable retractors, and linear cutters and staplers. Hospitals need specialized equipment such as energy systems, clips and staplers, cystoscopic equipment, and… Read more
Trucking on with the third generation of hauliers Managing succession from one generation to the next is a process that all family companies must periodically face. For road haulage and logistics specialist Corneel Geerts Transportgroup NV in Belgium, 2020 is the year that the third generation takes over the reins and is entrusted with steering the company’s future course. Departing CEO, Marc Geerts, has every confidence that his three sons are more than capable of rising to the challenge of helming a family company with three strategic hubs in Belgium, 200 employees and annual turnover of 25 million EUR. … Read more
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 road haulage permits (ETCM permits) for some shipments. Such permits are valid when presented together with a certificate of roadworthiness, certificate of compliance, or ETCM logbook. All drivers are required to carry a GB sticker and vehicle logbook when travelling abroad. Other documents to bring… Read more
There are different types of warehousing facilities for storage and distribution, including transload or bulk terminals, cross-docking facilities, distribution centers, warehouses, and sortation centers. Transload Terminals Transload terminals operate as distribution facilities for bulk products such as petroleum, grain, and lumber. The goal is to transport commodities between different types of carrying equipment. Transload facilities are equipped with cranes to lift and move and load and unload ships and railroad cars. Conveyors, loaders, car dumpers, cranes, and other types of equipment are used. Intermodal Terminals Intermodal terminals are used to transport air and marine containers and truck trailers between different… Read more
The maritime shipping industry has been a major polluter for decades and now faces new regulations that will soon come into effect. Maritime Transport and Environmental Pollution Reports by the UN International Maritime Organization show that over 90 percent of cargo is transported by sea. The main reason is that this is the most cost-effective way to ship raw materials and commodities all over the world. At the same time, shipping large volumes of goods is destructive for the environment as demonstrated by a 2014 IMO Greenhouse Gas Study. Ships release about 940 million tons of carbon dioxide a year… Read more
Autonomous cars and trucks are expected to transform the logistics industry, and many freight forwarders are willing to use autonomous technologies for shipping and other logistics processes. The main reason is that businesses are increasingly faced with a demand for quicker deliveries coupled with a high labor shortage. Experts also estimate that the use of autonomous vehicles will reduce shipping costs by 45 percent. What the Near Future Holds in Store Industry experts point to the fact that fully autonomous vehicles will not be available for 50 years or even longer. Semi-autonomous vehicles will only help drivers to avoid traffic… Read more
Autonomous technologies are increasingly used in the maritime shipping industry, and advanced systems are currently under development. Manufacturers are in the process of developing super yachts, battery-powered ships, situation awareness systems, drone-assisted systems, and unmanned ships to name a few. Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Ships Shipbuilding companies are in the process of developing fully autonomous ships that will operate and ship cargo without a crew. There are different levels of automation, and the first is to remotely operate and control ships from the shore. Fully automated ships, on the other hand, are equipped with advanced software that takes control over their… Read more
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 improved accident management and better accountability and transparency. Advanced solutions help businesses to automate processes, reduce costs, save time, and enhance transaction flows. This results in secure supply chains at all levels. Leveraging blockchain distributed ledger technology enables businesses to store data by different indicators,… Read more
Food manufacturers face multiple risks acossiated with transportation and delivery of ingredients and shipping of final products to chain stores and retailers. Major risks for manufacturers include deterioration due to shipping delays, contamination with fungi and bacteria, damages, spills, and breakages, and sub-optimum conditions during shipping. Deterioration Due to Delays Many raw ingredients have a short shelf life, and timely delivery is important to avoid deterioration. Fruits and vegetables go bad quickly, and manufacturers rely on timely delivery. Perishable fruits and vegetables are, for example, tart cherries, strawberries, green beans, and asparagus. Dairy products and bread are also quick to… Read more
Rail transport software is increasingly used to improve fleet management, track railcar maintenance and repairs, and view rail transportation data. Software for Rail Transport Managers Advanced software enables rail managers to view freight charges, shipper data, railcar movements, and shipment records. There are capabilities for equipment management that allow managers to store and view maintenance records, track and monitor maintenance costs, and schedule repair works. Software solutions also come with functionalities to help keep managers updated on fuel surcharges and charges, tariff changes, and contracts. Additional capabilities make it possible to store and access historical transit times, track shipments, and… Read more
Today, drone delivery is handy for locations with poor infrastructure and shipments that would otherwise incur significant costs. For many, drones or unmanned aerial devices are soon to become a preferred transportation method in a world of rising population, mass movement to larger cities, and growing urbanization. The result of all this is air pollution, congestion, and shipping delays. Applications Drones have applications in small shipments and postal delivery, food delivery, and healthcare. They can be used to ship perishable goods and products with a short shelf life. In fact, they have already been used to deliver drinks, cocktails, and… Read more
Location The site is expected to serve as a major logistics centre due to its convenient location close to major manufacturing facilities, Bratislava International Airport, the city centre, and connections to the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria. The site is found just 19 km from the city centre, 11 km from the airport, 0.5 km from the highway, and 82 km and 190 km from Vienna and Budapest, respectively. Demand for Logistics Facilities Mountpark Managing Director for Central Europe Mario Sander highlights the fact that the demand for logistics facilities is growing. Growing demand can be explained with Bratislava’s location… Read more
We would like to bring to your attention some pictures from the successful IFA meeting, which took place from 11 to 13 October 2019 in the city of Porto, Portugal. The meeting was hosted by the IFA member Torrestir.
While healthcare has treatment and prevention as its main focus, hospitals, clinics, and other facilities need medications, syringes, gauzes, and other supplies to treat patients. Hospitals also need files, paper, computers, and other items for administrative purposes and keeping record of patients and treatment outcomes. How Hospitals Secure Supplies The two main ways in which hospitals secure supplies are by working with distributors and by buying directly from manufacturers. Purchasing supplies from distributors has many benefits, the main one being that they are able to ship multiple supplies. To this, logistics services providers cater to both large and small shipments… Read more
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