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Helpful Articles - Logistics

Human beings have been thinking about robots and automation for thousands of years. But how are they using automation and AI in supply chain? In Greek mythology, Hephaestus, the god of fire, created three-legged tables that moved on their own. A bronze man named Talos, who was powered by a single vein of lead, guarded the island of Crete. More recent television shows like Battlestar Galactica and Westworld imagine the consequences of conscious machines. You have only to consider the fact that Saudi Arabia recently extended citizenship to the robot Sophia in order to realize that we’re making significant strides in the world of automation...

For the last few months, our ocean freight specialists at Approved and across our network of DeWitt sister companies have been keeping a close watch on the effects of the International Maritime Organization’s low-sulfur mandate. Now that the January 1 deadline has come and gone, we wanted to share an update on the real-world effects of the IMO’s mandate. We talked to our experts to discover what they’re seeing on a day-to-day basis in the ocean freight markets. But before we dive into their observations, we’ll give you a quick refresher on the issues at play. What Is the IMO 2020 Low-Sulfur Mandate? If you’re...

Last Updated: 9/15/2024  If you've ever looked at a bill of lading (BOL), you'll see three parties named on the document: the shipper, the carrier, and the consignee.   If you're new to the logistics world, these terms may be unfamiliar—or confusing. In order to make it simple for you to 1) understand your bill of lading and 2) give your freight forwarder the information they need to effectively move your shipment, we'll walk you these three main parties on your bill of lading.   BOL Meaning in Logistics: Three Key Parties Explained A bill of lading (BOL) is a legal document issued by a carrier that outlines the details of a shipment, including the type of goods, quantity, and destination....

Pallets can make it much easier to handle and transport your goods traveling via air freight, as is the case with goods shipping via ocean freight. Additionally, freight that’s placed on a pallet can be moved without touching the actual goods themselves, reducing the possibility of damage.   That being said, incorrectly prepping your palletized freight puts it at high risk during transit. In order to decrease the possibility of damage to your goods, we’ve put together a list of the most common mistakes we see in palletized air freight. We’ll also share our solutions to help you correct these mistakes. By reviewing this list, you’ll set the stage for ensuring that your shipment reaches its destination in perfect condition—and on time.  Mistake #1: Overpacking Your Shipment  When you’re preparing your air freight shipments,...

On January 1, 2020, a set of emission standards created by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will take effect. These regulations, which limit sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions from all ships, aim to create global health and environmental benefits, especially for populations who live in proximity to ports and coastal areas.  In order to meet these new standards, steamship lines will need to make changes to 1) the fuels they use and/or 2) the equipment they operate. The global consulting firm AlixPartners estimates that these changes could cost the shipping industry as much as $10 billion. Furthermore, they estimate that this could result in fuel surcharges ranging from 33-40%. How will IMO 2020 affect your...

Careful management of your supply chain means analyzing each link to uncover new strategies that can give you an edge. When it comes to moving supplies and finished products, rail could be worth a look. In specific cases, transitioning from trucking to rail can offer your organization several advantages, including good transit times at lower rates. (More on the benefits of rail in a moment!)   However, not all organizations will benefit equally from rail. Those that stand to benefit the most share three criteria:  Criteria #1: You Have Access to a Rail Spur  Moving freight exclusively by rail—as opposed to an intermodal solution—allows you to take full advantage of all that rail transport has to offer. This includes leveraging the additional capacity that rail cars can handle, both in terms of weight and volume.  However,...