Ocean freight logistics have grown increasingly complex due to a variety of factors. This includes tighter national and international regulations, rising global tensions causing supply chain disruptions, high costs, and environmental concerns. Amid these challenges, 24/7 support for shippers is required to not only manage the issues but also do so more efficiently.
COGISTICS Transportation, with more than 30 years of experience in ocean freight logistics, is licensed as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) and a Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Its collaborative communication means 24/7 access to a team of experts who work collaboratively with shippers to address challenges before they arise.
Ocean Freight in 2024: Turbulent Waters
Even in the best of circumstances, ocean freight is challenging to handle. It involves planning and booking cargo shipments, managing transit times based on weather and port congestion, ensuring all customs documentation is in order, ensuring regulatory compliance, and keeping track of container availability and movement. There’s, of course, a lot more to it, but those are the basics.
The Red Sea Is a Literal War Zone
But these days, that’s hardly ever the case. Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to play havoc with vessel traffic through the vital Red Sea passage. It’s an issue that Maersk executives believe will extend at least into Q2 and possibly into Q3. Despite a month of U.S.-led airstrikes against the rebel forces, the Houthis hit a Belize-flagged ship with a ballistic missile as recently as Feb. 19.
The ongoing naval battle has added weeks onto transit times as most carriers divert volume around the tip of Africa for Asia-Europe trade, causing container rates to soar as high as $10,000. There has been a bit of a reprieve in ocean freight costs in early February, with weak demand depressing rates for the China-to-West-coast shipping lanes.
Panama Canal Drought Dampens Traffic
The Panama Canal, meanwhile, continues to experience drought conditions that limit passage through a waterway that handles 5% of the world’s ocean freight. The canal authority recently ruled that daily vessel traffic will remain at 24 through April, down from the previous average of 36 to 38.
Management consulting firm McKinsey estimates that about 35% of the traffic that flowed through the Panama Canal as of 2022, representing 100 million tons of cargo, is being diverted, reshaping the flow of ocean trade.
Potential Labor Issues Brewing on East/Gulf Coasts
Shippers breathed a sigh of relief last year when a contract agreement with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) meant a crippling West Coast port strike was averted. However, the potential for union trouble is brewing on the East Coast and Gulf docks.
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and USMX, an alliance of ocean carriers and terminal operators, both have Sept. 30 circled on their calendars. That’s when a six-year contract covering 17,000 ILA members is set to expire. The ILA president has vowed not to extend the current agreement past that date, in what is shaping up to be one of the biggest labor battles of 2024.
In this uncertain atmosphere, COGISTICS Transportation helps shippers strategize ways to mitigate the effects of supply chain disruptions, be it from labor, weather or geopolitical conflicts. Using a consultative approach, we work with clients to model and develop alternate scenarios for rerouting ocean freight.
COGISTICS Transportation: Comprehensive Ocean Freight Solutions
COGISTICS Transportation offers a range of ocean freight services, with a strong focus on adaptability and flexibility, backed by unmatched sector expertise. Modes covered include Less Than Container Load (LCL), Full Container Load (FCL), and Roll On Roll Off (RORO), so there is an option for every kind of shipment.
COGISTICS Transportation also handles your ocean freight booking, taking the worry out of carrier selection, pricing, and scheduling. Its technology and expert team streamline the international freight booking process through automation and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
24/7 Support: The COGISTICS Transportation Advantage
COGISTICS Transportation provides 24/7 support for shippers through access to its world-class support team, providing always-on assistance and problem-solving. This round-the-clock support enhances reliability and confidence for shippers in a volatile market.
Advanced Tracking and Communication Capabilities
COGISTICS Transportation’s advanced tracking system offers unparalleled visibility and control over all your ocean freight shipments. An integrated network enables communication from door-to-door, providing timely updates. This has been enhanced on the network side by high-speed connectivity at sea through Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite broadband system. Even with our high-tech heritage, high touch is still a priority. The COGISTICS Transportation team is always a phone call away for quick issue resolution.
The Ocean Freight Outlook is Uncertain; COGISTICS Transportation’s Reliability Is Not
With ongoing disruptions in major ocean freight passages, as well as the potential for work stoppages on the East and Gulf coasts this fall, shippers need an experienced partner to help them navigate the choppy seas.
COGISTICS Transportation provides comprehensive, 24/7 support for shippers, including worry-free booking, real-time communication, and door-to-door cargo tracking. We also utilize data analytics to enhance service delivery and regulatory compliance. Get in touch today and start taking advantage of COGISTICS Transportation’s reliable, expertly managed ocean freight solutions.
