This blog post was originally published on 2/21/2022 and was updated on 1/17/2024.

Trying to ship without a freight forwarding standard operating procedure (SOP) is like trying to drive a car without starting the engine. The SOP is necessary to ensure operations between importers, freight forwarders, carriers, and other stakeholders run smoothly. 

Elevated freight rates, skyrocketing inflation, and the war in Ukraine are drastically increasing the cost of goods and disrupting global supply chains. 

Freight management involves more than moving goods from point A to point B. When done right, it maximizes a company’s efficiency and improves its bottom line. When done poorly, it can lead to delayed goods, dissatisfied customers, and unexpected costs. 

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) became law in July 2022.

Approximately 17 million shipping containers are available, but just 6 million are in use at once. This means 11 million shipping containers sit unused across the globe at any given time.

Shipping freight doesn’t just involve getting goods from one place to another—it also requires paying close attention to a wide range of necessary documents. Being aware of these documents, knowing how they are used, and understanding the differences between them can help shippers avoid misunderstandings and transport issues.

Selecting the best shipping mode is difficult in the best of circumstances. But it’s become even tougher in a market rife with skyrocketing rates, blank sailings, congestion, and delays.

Train derailments happen more often than one might expect, with several occurring globally every month. While not every derailment affects freight, when they do, disruptions are massive. 

When moving cargo within a country, shippers have two choices: rail or road. Each has its pros and cons. But in today’s turbulent transport environment, the route that appears the easiest and most direct may not always be the most cost-effective or efficient. 

You can acquire shipping quotes for free. But they will mean little more than the paper they’re printed on if you don’t provide accurate—and necessary—details upfront.

When shipping goods, you must play by the rules. Failing to do so may lead to delays, costly fees, and penalties.

Knowing how to read shipping quotes is among the most important skills a shipper can have. But this is easier said than done.