Container shipping is a vital part of global trade, but it also poses many challenges for logistics managers. How can you ensure that your containers move efficiently and cost-effectively between ports, while avoiding delays, disruptions, and damages? In this article, we will share some tips and best practices for managing container movement between ports effectively.
One of the key factors for successful container movement is planning ahead. You need to consider the demand and supply of containers, the availability and cost of transport modes, the port capacity and congestion, the customs and regulatory requirements, and the potential risks and contingencies. By planning ahead, you can optimize your container utilization, select the most suitable carriers and routes, book your slots and services in advance, and prepare the necessary documentation and clearance.
Not Planning is Planning to fail! Effective container movement planning between ports involves real-time tracking, data analytics, and predictive tools to optimize routes and schedules, reducing delays and improving efficiency. It also requires a lot of coordination between the complete supply chain members and the community.
The more visibility you have, the easier it will be to plan. Visibility is a core part of planning container movements. Any schedule created won't matter if it doesn't reflect what is actually hapenning to your or your customer's containers. Real-time tracking is becoming standard. You or your logisitcs provider can use it as a planning advantage by putting a plan in place to review your container positions and adjust them accordingly, becasue there will always be variability; bad weather/extreme events, unseen labor shortages, general mishaps will all throw your shedule off at some point. You can leverage visibility to adjust your plan accordingly before it becomes a problem.
Another essential aspect of managing container movement is tracking and monitoring. You need to have visibility and control over your containers throughout their journey, from origin to destination. You can use various tools and technologies, such as GPS, RFID, IoT, and blockchain, to track and monitor your containers in real-time. By tracking and monitoring, you can improve your operational efficiency, enhance your customer service, identify and resolve issues, and ensure compliance and security.
Based on my experience, here are 3 ways you can track and monitor container movement: GPS and RFID: Use GPS and RFID technology to track containers in real-time, providing location data throughout the journey. Telematics Solutions: Implement telematics solutions that collect data on container conditions, including temperature, humidity, and security. Centralized Software: Utilize centralized software systems such as a TOS, to monitor container movement, analyze data, and provide alerts for any irregularities or delays in transit.
A third important element of managing container movement is communicating and collaborating. You need to establish and maintain effective communication and collaboration with your internal and external stakeholders, such as suppliers, customers, carriers, port operators, agents, and authorities. You can use various platforms and channels, such as emails, phone calls, online portals, and mobile apps, to communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders. By communicating and collaborating, you can coordinate your activities, share information and data, align your expectations and objectives, and build trust and relationships.
A fourth crucial component of managing container movement is optimizing and innovating. You need to constantly review and improve your processes, practices, and performance, and seek new ways to add value and reduce costs. You can use various methods and techniques, such as data analysis, benchmarking, lean management, and automation, to optimize and innovate your container movement. By optimizing and innovating, you can increase your productivity, quality, and profitability, and gain a competitive edge in the market.
A key to optimizing and innovating is knowing where your opportunities to optimize and innovate are. Data analysis quarterback's this process. Use root-cause analysis - RCA to breakdown a KPI into smaller leading metrics, and determine if the physical actions that go into that metric need to be measured too. By doing this you'll find your most problematic areas of container movements and the root cause actions that lead to them; that is where optimization and innovation comes to life. A quick example might be breaking down the movements into digestables pieces as small as port processing time, or carrier drayage response time.
A fifth vital part of managing container movement is learning and adapting. You need to keep abreast of the latest trends, developments, and opportunities in the container shipping industry, and adapt your strategies and tactics accordingly. You can use various sources and resources, such as industry reports, newsletters, webinars, and courses, to learn and adapt your container movement. By learning and adapting, you can anticipate and respond to changes, seize new opportunities, and overcome challenges.
A sixth and final key factor for successful container movement is training and empowering. You need to invest in your human capital, and equip your staff with the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to manage container movement effectively. You can use various formats and modes, such as workshops, e-learning, mentoring, and feedback, to train and empower your staff. By training and empowering, you can enhance your staff's competence, confidence, and motivation, and foster a culture of excellence and innovation.