One of the most impactful requirements recently implemented is the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) VGM (verified gross mass) regulation, which was introduced by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) to enhance maritime safety. This regulation states that shippers must provide the accurate gross mass of a packed container before it is loaded onto a ship to prevent incorrect vessel stowage decisions, prevent container stack collapse or the loss of cargo overboard due to instability.

Everyone knows the sea is unpredictable, with anything from extreme weather to piracy, to accidents at sea can have an impact on cargo transportation. Equally, however, being able to ship internationally is vital for businesses looking to transport goods to a global market place. Therefore, to mitigate financial loss in the face of disaster it’s becoming increasingly important for businesses to safeguard their supply chains by investing in cargo insurance with experts like MSC.

Depending on the type of commodity, the size of shipment, or the size of the cargo, different types of dry shipping containers may be used in order to preserve the integrity of your cargo and maximise space efficiency. Certain dry cargo freight containers, such as flat rack containers (used for project cargo), can also help facilitate specialised handling for cargo that doesn’t fit the dimensions of standard containers.

As the types of food consumed worldwide become ever more varied, there has been an increasing pressure on businesses to consistently deliver top quality, fresh produce year-round. To meet this consumer demand, the transportation of perishable goods has had to become increasingly efficient and reliable, necessitating the use of refrigerated shipping containers worldwide.

Like many, the shipping industry needs to continuously adapt and innovate to overcome different hurdles and reduce the impact these challenges can have on operations, efficiency, and profitability. All of this is alongside the work that shipping companies put in to improve operational efficiency, customer service, and sustainability practices.

In today's rapidly evolving global economy, efficient and cost-effective freight transportation is essential for businesses to thrive. One approach that has gained significant traction over several years is the integration of ocean and intermodal freight. This strategic combination of transportation methods can improve supply chain efficiency, help reduce costs, enhance sustainability, and extend your overall market reach.

Requiring close coordination and collaboration between producers, logistics providers and retailers, cold chain logistics is a vital part in ensuring that perishable products, including medicinal or pharmaceutical are transported and stored under optimal conditions. Because of the challenges that come with keeping cargo cool, refrigerated or frozen during transportation, cold chain logistics has had to continually evolve in order to meet the specific needs of the various industries that require it.

Driven by factors like increased trade volumes, larger vessels, and global supply chain demand developments, international port development is vital. Port expansions play a crucial role in enhancing a region's economic growth, trade efficiency, and connectivity. Beyond this, a new port infrastructure can pave the way for implementing new equipment, and technology, and ultimately helps ensure further or enhanced connectivity.

In an ever-changing global marketplace, numerous businesses have benefitted from the flexibility, and cost-effectiveness that having multiple cargo transportation routes or carriers brings. Depending on your cargo type and final destination, the available combination of ocean, road, rail, or air transportation ensures your cargo will be transported by the most efficient means possible.

With the ability to transport thousands of containers in a single ship, ocean transport has become a vital part of modern global logistics and a crucial for numerous global supply chains. The rapid increase in the popularity of shipping containers, as well as technological advancements now means that most ocean transportation is conducted by large vessels with the ability to carry multiple containers and container types. Not only is this more efficient, but also enables a greater variety of cargo to be transported from anywhere in the world.

As a manufacturer, it’s vital that your products can reach your customers whenever and wherever they need them. Providing reliable deliveries to your customers is the easiest way to build a strong reputation for your company, and ensure you continue to get new and returning business.

More and more emphasis is being put on the importance and benefits of ensuring end-to-end supply chain visibility for businesses. With so many different organisations and individuals involved in the overall supply chain, it can be difficult for companies to have total clarity and visibility at all stages. In turn, this makes it more challenging for businesses to ensure optimum efficiency at every point in the supply chain.

For companies to remain profitable and successfully navigate variations in demand, they must have good supply chain management. Supply chain management is the supplier’s effort to develop and implement supply chains that are as efficient and economical as possible. Businesses can ensure they have good supply chain management by keeping control of internal inventories, such as internal production, distribution, and sales.

Having good customer and business relationships is crucial to the success of any business. The ability to communicate effectively with your customers and collaborate with other businesses will transform your company and help you stand out from your competition.

Businesses need to bridge continents and cultures in a fast and reliable manner, and working with certified companies like MSC is a fantastic way to do that. Achieving ISO certification is ensuring that proper processes and due diligence are being followed. These certifications also help us to build strong relationships between us and our customers, who know we are compliant with all ISO standards that are important to them and their business.

A freight broker acts as an intermediary or contact point between a shipper and a carrier. With so many moving parts involved in the shipping and logistics process, in some instances , for example when establishing alternative routes, it can be helpful for carriers and shippers to work with a freight broker in order to facilitate a smooth handover of cargo.

Shipping goods across the world can be a complicated business. To manage the whole process yourself could be fraught with difficulty. That is the role of freight forwarders. They essentially act as middle-men, dealing with shipping companies, logistics experts and port authorities. A freight forwarder is an agent who acts on behalf of cargo owners to arrange the transportation of goods. One of their chief responsibilities is to process customs documentation, and all the paperwork and administration that is involved in international cargo shipping.

Before hiring a BCO, it’s important to understand their contract, and what this means for your shipment. A BCO contract specifies the transportation of cargo through either a direct or indirect channel. A beneficial cargo owner or BCO refers to an individual or company who acts on behalf of the importer by taking possession of the cargo when it reaches its destination.

Transit time, or the amount of time taken for goods to get from one destination to another is hugely significant in a company’s overall supply chain management process. In some instances, depending on the type of commodity being transported, the length of transit time can also impact the overall wellbeing of the cargo itself.

One of the primary things retail businesses can do to ensure success is focus on making their retail logistics as efficient as possible. This means ensuring that everyone involved in the supply chain, from the retailers themselves to manufacturers, suppliers, and shipping companies are all working closely together to effectively manage the flow of products throughout the consumer journey.

When it comes to cocoa imports or exports, there is no time more important than the period before Easter. Chocolatiers from around the world eagerly anticipate the three-day period where chocolate and easter eggs are in high demand. Businesses involved in the cocoa and confectionary industries have their work cut out for them in the run-up to the Easter weekend. Not only does the production of Easter eggs require considerable planning due to the sharp rise and fall in demand, but their primary ingredient, cocoa is becoming an increasingly expensive commodity, with prices rising in recent years.

As the date draws nearer, everyone from florists to chocolatiers are dedicated to ensuring that all products are available when consumers need them. As some of the most associated gifts given on Valentine’s Day, such as chocolate and flowers often have specific shipping requirements, retailers will often choose to work directly with a shipping company experienced in Valentine’s Day commodities and the international transportation of this romantic cargo.

With $17.1 billion of its net trade attributed to the export of forestry products, Canada has established itself as a global leader in the forestry export market. Not only does Canada hold the largest share of the global NBSK (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft) market, but they are also known as a major producer and exporter of softwood lumber.

In recent years vehicle manufacturers had to evolve their automotive supply chains in order to work with multiple suppliers to source all the different components required to construct each vehicle. This development has meant that the once reasonably simple supply chain has transformed into a ‘supply web’, with multiple threads all leading to the same end point.

As the Christmas supply chain is highly time-sensitive and requires precise coordination to ensure that products are available when consumers want them, any disruption in this complex system can result in delayed or missed deliveries, impacting both retailers and consumers during the holiday season. To meet the unique challenges of the Christmas supply chain, many businesses invest heavily in logistics and planning to ensure a smooth and festive holiday for all.

Dry cargo shipping is one of the most common types of shipping solutions and one of the most popular with MSC customers. Covering a wide range of commodities that vary from coal to non-perishable food and beverages, dry shipping can be a simple solution for customers looking to transport their cargo quickly and efficiently. Generally, these commodities can be transported as either a ‘dry bulk’ shipment or as a ‘container shipment’.

With an ever-increasing focus on sustainability, more and more attention has been turned to solar energy and solar power-based commodities. As such, there has been a major rise in solar exports, with commodities like solar batteries, PV modules, panels, and silicon Wafers being shipped globally.

From the moment we wake up, to the time where we’re getting ready for bed there are certain items that we always have on hand. Even if we don’t already have them with us, we expect to be able to purchase them quickly and easily in most supermarkets or stores. These items that are so ingrained in our everyday lives are known as ‘Fast moving consumer goods’ (FMCGs) and are things we purchase frequently and consume rapidly.