International Forwarding Association Blog »
Freight transportation in mountainous areas presents specific challenges due to the unique terrain. Key issues include steep inclines, changing soil conditions, and reduced air density at high altitudes. Sharp Ascents On steep inclines, the load on the locomotive’s driving wheels increases which can lead to wheel slippage. To prevent this, freight operators often use multiple locomotives, either placed at the front or distributed throughout the train as mid or rear helper engines. Yet, this arrangement requires the synchronized work of all locomotives in terms of speed, power output, and braking to prevent derailments. The need to use multiple locomotives… Read more
Freight villages optimize the logistics network by acting as hubs that streamline the shipping process to ensure efficient distribution. They focus on efficient sorting at the outset, monitoring throughout transit, and oversight at delivery points to ensure quality control and resolve any discrepancies. Collection and Sorting Freight villages serve as central points where goods from suppliers are collected and sorted efficiently. For collection, they often operate on appointment-based systems where providers schedule delivery slots. This helps minimize wait times for both suppliers and the freight village and allows to allocate resources effectively. After the receipt of goods and once… Read more
Freight forwarders face several challenges in 2025 and beyond. These include oversupply in maritime shipping, lagging adoption of digital tools, and a growing driver shortage in Europe, all of which are putting pressure on the industry. Balancing Oversupply The forwarding sector is navigating a challenging scenario, with capacity expanding and freight demand dropping. The size of the ocean fleet is projected to expand to unprecedented 2.7 million TEU, reflecting a 7.8% increase. In contrast, container volumes worldwide are expected to grow modestly by 3% to 4% this year. With fewer goods requiring transportation and surplus capacity, maritime freight rates… Read more
Freight transportation faces a multitude of challenges that can affect the efficiency of cargo movement across railways. These include high traffic volumes in major hubs, issues with maintenance and infrastructure, handling at terminals, and transporting various cargo types. High Volumes of Traffic at Critical Junctures At busy hubs, cargo trains vie for access to shared tracks with a range of other rail services. Passenger trains often receive priority because schedule deviations can cause missed connections, platform congestion, and overcrowding on subsequent trains. High-frequency commuter trains, which dominate peak hours with their stop-and-go patterns, further limit track availability. Additionally, express… Read more
Freight forwarders must stay updated on scheduled road maintenance because of several destabilizing factors that disrupt normal driving conditions. Challenges such as narrowed lanes, sudden stops, unclear temporary signage, visual distractions, and changed traffic patterns each contribute to the complexities of navigating construction zones for freight drivers. Narrow Lanes During road maintenance, lanes often shrink from the standard width of 3 to 3.7 meters down to 2.7 meters to accommodate workers and machinery along the roadside. This narrowing squeezes vehicles into tighter spaces which poses a challenge for freight trucks. These trucks have larger blind spots at the sides,… Read more
Securing rail freight in Europe comes with a range of challenges that can compromise safety and efficiency. These challenges include issues in remote track areas, vulnerabilities in busy rail yards, and the complications arising from differing security standards across borders. Remote Routes In remote stretches of rail track in countries like Latvia and Estonia, cellular coverage can be sporadic due to extensive forests and low population density, which do not justify the cost of developing telecommunication infrastructure. With weak cellular signals, onboard security officers may be unable to notify the train driver who could otherwise take preventive actions such… Read more
Warehouse environments are vulnerable to fire hazards due to various structural and material-related factors. Key risks include layout constraints, excessive inventory, and the presence of flammable materials that can intensify and spread fires rapidly. Warehouse Design In warehousing logistics, layout features such as narrow corridors, closely packed and high shelving, and hidden cavities increase fire safety risks. For instance, narrow corridors and aisles restrict air circulation which causes heat to become trapped, raises the ambient temperature, and increases the risk of fire. Similarly, shelving units placed closely together with minimal gaps can restrict vertical airflow and trap heat. Additionally,… Read more
Excessive moisture can have significant impacts on goods transported within European logistics network. Issues, among others, include the warping of packaging, damage to labels, increased cargo weight, and contamination of goods, which can affect the handling, transport, and overall condition of products. Compromised Packaging Exposure to moisture, particularly during heavy rain, can cause warping of wooden crates to the point that lids no longer fit securely which can compromise the seal that keeps contents protected. Additionally, when wood fibers swell, this introduces micro-fissures throughout the material. These weak points bear less load than intact fibers which are more likely… Read more
European cross-border rail transport faces a range of challenges, including variations in operational standards, congestion in transborder corridors, infrastructure limitations, and weather-related disruptions, each contributing to potential delays and logistical complications. Operational Standards Differences in operational standards can complicate rail logistics in Europe. These standards relate to maximum speeds, train lengths, and weights, as well as gauge systems. For example, Spanish trains use the Iberian gauge (1,668 mm) which differs from the European standard of 1,435 mm. When they enter France, as on the Perpignan-Barcelona line, they can utilize dual-gauge tracks that accommodate both standard and Iberian gauges. However,… Read more
Warehouse placement significantly impacts European logistics operations and thus guides strategic location choices. These include proximity to high-demand zones, border crossings, labor-rich regions, and areas suitable for expansion. Zones of High Demand Warehouses are often located around high-demand zones, including industrial parks, free trade zones, and transportation service hubs like bus or rail terminals for last-mile delivery support. Additionally, they can be found in regions experiencing rapid population or economic growth, rural towns with limited local supplies, and coastal towns with seasonal tourism spikes. Such high-demand zones are ideal for warehousing because they position goods closer to major consumption… Read more
Climate change increasingly affects sea freight in Europe, with significant impacts on shipping routes and maritime operations. From increased storm frequency and changes in ocean currents to shifts in marine populations, more frequent fog, and rising sea levels, these effects add to the complexity of maritime operations. Increased Storm Frequency Due to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere, more water evaporates, and this increased moisture in the air fuels more powerful and frequent storms and hurricanes. This can increase the risk of maritime accidents such as collisions, groundings, and capsizing. Changes in Ocean Currents Near the poles, surface… Read more
Specialized maritime vessels are equipped to handle various types of heavy and oversized cargo in sea freight in Europe. Heavy lift ships, windfarm installation vessels, and open-top container ships each offer unique features tailored to meet specific operational demands and logistical challenges. Heavy Lift Vessels Heavy lift ships are used for transporting exceptionally large items such as industrial machinery, oversized vehicles, and construction components that exceed the capabilities of standard shipping methods. These ships are designed with cranes that have a lifting capacity of up to 3,000 tons. This capability allows them to lift extremely heavy loads that standard… Read more
Shein and Temu, Chinese e-commerce giants specializing in small shipments delivery directly to consumers, are reaching unprecedented scales in the global market. Temu’s reach has extended to 40 countries and continues to expand while Shein delivers to more than 150 countries. These companies, known for their affordable household and clothing items, are heavily impacting the air cargo sector by consuming substantial capacity. Cargo Demand Strains Air Freight Capacity Currently, Shein is shipping around 5,000 tonnes, Temu about 4,000 tonnes, TikTok – 800 tonnes, and Alibaba – 1,000 tonnes, which is the equivalent of 108 Boeing 777 aircraft daily. Consequently,… Read more
The US Transport Security Administration has implemented more rigorous security measures for cargo shipped from CIS and European nations. The stricter regulations affect fifty-five countries, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Bulgaria, and Sweden, among others. Starting September 23, cargo on passenger planes bound for or transferring or transiting through the US must be shipped only by those shippers that have an established business relationship with a forwarder. Heightened Security Protocolled Follow Incendiary Parcel Incidents This updated protocol comes in the wake of incidents where two incendiary devices were ignited in packages within Europe’s parcel delivery networks. In July, a… Read more
A vital passage for 30% of global container shipments, the Red Sea is currently experiencing an unparalleled crisis in shipping. The turmoil in the Middle East has resulted in assaults on ships which drastically cut down operations. The flow of vessels through the Bab El-Mandeb Strait and the key Suez Canal has been halved by March 2024. Impact on Routes, Rates, and Port Activities Significant interruptions in Red Sea navigation have pushed carriers to reroute their ships around Africa’s southern cape. This detour has led to increases in travel distances for tankers and cargo by more than 50%. As… Read more
Navigating nighttime freight forwarding presents a unique set of challenges that go beyond those faced during daylight hours. IFA freight forwarders must contend with limited access to facilities, reduced visibility, and more complex weather conditions, all of which can affect their operations. Restricted Access Hours In many smaller and municipality-managed locations, freight forwarders face limited access to facilities due to restricted operating hours. This is due to a number of reasons, one being that such facilities may have more limited budgets. These financial constraints may restrict their ability to maintain full staffing and operate extended hours. Budget limitations can… Read more
Freight forwarders who are heavily engaged in humanitarian logistics often deal with challenges when delivering supplies to disaster-stricken zones. They must navigate damaged infrastructure, stringent customs regulations, and coordination difficulties with governments, NGOs, and local authorities. Damaged Infrastructure Infrastructure damage such as collapsed bridges, destroyed roads, or landslides can physically block routes and hinder the movement of vehicles and supplies. Navigating around such damaged infrastructure or taking alternative routes can significantly increase travel times and delay the arrival of essential supplies. When infrastructure damage disrupts conventional routes, makeshift or alternative transport methods may become necessary. Makeshift transport such as… Read more
In the past few years, major shipowners have increasingly taken steps to consolidate the logistics industry. Following the pandemic period of 2020 – 2021, container rates escalated to $12,000, up from $2,000 for a 20-foot container on certain routes. This rise resulted in substantial profits for shipowners and enabled them to expand their business holdings. Industry Consolidation and Expansion Today, carriers are actively investing in cargo airlines, establishing their own fleets of cargo planes, and acquiring stakes in port management entities. Additionally, these carriers have expanded into railway transport and are purchasing e-commerce and automotive logistics businesses. While sea… Read more
International freight forwarding ensures that specialized cargo is delivered safely and efficiently to support various special events. These range from trade shows, academic conferences, and film productions to high-value auctions, musical festivals, and major sporting competitions. Exhibitions Tade shows, expos, and conferences require the transportation of varied cargo, including exhibit boots and stands, shelving and counters for product displays, and machinery for live demonstrations. Additionally, freight forwarders may transport touchscreen kiosks, demo stations, product samples for hands-on demonstrations or giveaways, and early versions or prototypes of upcoming products. Symposia For academic conferences and research symposia, the cargo typically… Read more
Navigating the challenges of poor road infrastructure presents hurdles for cargo transportation across various regions in Europe. Key issues include inadequate road signage, a scarcity of alternative routes, and the frequent absence of essential services, each contributing to increased risks and operational costs for freight forwarders. Poor Road Signage Inadequate road signage can pose significant dangers for cargo trucks, as it may lead them into unsuitable or hazardous conditions and result in potential accidents. The Lecco bridge collapse in Italy in 2016 is a point in question. Despite visible damages and structural concerns reported to the authorities, the bridge… Read more
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