Selecting your 3PL Provider – By Mark Millar
Outsourcing More to Less Recent studies confirm that companies are now outsourcing more of their logistics activities - and they are outsourcing to a fewer number of service providers. Therefore, the selection of your Third Party Logistics (3PL) provider is becoming increasingly important to empower effective and efficient supply chain ecosystems that are essential for competitive advantage. Whilst the 15th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study found that 65% of shippers are increasing their use of 3PL services, the 2010 Global 3PL & Logistics Outsourcing Strategy survey by Eye-for-Transport also presents some interesting findings: 97% of Shippers intend to increase their use of 3PL’s ...
Ocean bid tip: diversify your carrier alliances!
With so many container lines out there to choose from it's easy to forget that despite their numbers there really are fewer choices than it seems when you consider carrier alliances and vessel sharing partners. If you are large enough to deal in direct carrier contracts with container lines, then you would be wise to consider the various alliances and vessel sharing agreements when choosing carriers. As carriers' fortunes (or misfortunes) become increasingly volatile the bonds of cooperation become even closer and decisions about capacity withdrawals and service changes are increasingly being made at the alliance level and not at ...
Understanding Bunker Fuel: is there a relationship to crude prices?
Unless you work for an ocean container line, there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding bunker fuel costs and how they play into ocean container costs and BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor - fuel surcharge for container lines). This is especially compounded when folks look at the headlines in regards to crude oil prices and start asking questions about how those crude oil prices will affect bunker fuel. While at the end of the day all petrol and fuel oils come from the same source, the way they are priced and handled are very different. This makes quick and ...
Exploring Logistics in Developing Markets of China, India and Vietnam – By Mark Millar
In developing markets, logistics activities involve a range of challenges and opportunities: Opportunities revolve around the fact that the developing markets are experiencing rapid economic growth and the resulting increase in trade and commerce drives increasing demand for logistics services. Challenges are many and varied, with the top three consistently being limitations in infrastructure, bureaucratic regulatory procedures and skills shortages. Let’s explore three specific markets – China, India and Vietnam: [table id=7 /] A broad indicator of the efficiency of a market’s logistics sector is the Logistics Costs as a percentage of GDP. In developed markets this is generally less than 10%, however ...
Hong Kong – Leading Global Logistics Hub – By Mark Millar
Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading logistics hubs. Its strategic location makes it both the Heart of Asia – half the world’s population are within a five hour flight, and China’s Gateway – providing access into and out of the world’s second largest economy and fasting growing consumer market. Business Confidence is High Complementing its leadership role as a global logistics hub, Hong Kong is also one of Asia’s leading international business centres – with 3,580 regional office and regional headquarters. Hong Kong is the 11th largest trading entity in the world and business confidence levels are high. The ...
Announcing the launch of Freightlinkup.com
3PLwire.com is proud to announce the launch of our new online logistics and supply chain directory FreightLinkUp.com – the premiere directory for supply chain and logistics related companies. This website will provide an avenue for logistics and supply chain related companies to highlight and market their services to companies throughout the supply chain. For the past 5 years, 3PLwire.com has been a leading company in the online world bringing the latest in third party logistics news and information. This new 3plwire website will bring a dedicated reader base and substantial web traffic to freightlinkup.com, offering greater exposure to companies ...
Incoterms 2010 – DAT and DAP
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has announced the launch of the new rule changes to Incoterms® 2010 which will be kicked off during a September event in Paris. The official implementation of the new rules are scheduled to take place during January of 2011. On September 27th - 29th, the ICC will hold a series of practical masterclasses on the Incoterms® 2010 rules and provide a detailed presentation of the new rule changes that will be incorporated into the new Incoterms® 2010. This revision, the first since 2000, will aim to adapt changes that have occured in global ...
Seafreight
Zepol Reports April Vessel Imports Rise 9.2%
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Zepol Reports April Vessel Imports Rise 9.2% Vessel imports...
Port Klang Port Trucker Protest
I just received word that approximately 1,000 Port Klang drayage truck drivers staged...
Ocean bid tip: diversify your carrier alliances!
With so many container lines out there to choose from it’s easy to forget that...
Read More Posts From This CategoryAir Cargo
Emirates voted Cargo Airline of the Year
Emirates has been voted “Best Cargo Airline” for the 24th consecutive...
DB Schenker to Realign North America Transportation Model
According to a company press release, German based company DB Schenker has announced...
Asia Air Cargo Demand Declines 9.8 Percent
According to a press release from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, air freight...
Read More Posts From This CategoryLogistics
Top 5 Signs it is Time to Switch Carriers
Top 5 signs it is time to switch carriers: 1. Financial Warning Signs With many carriers reporting first quarter losses in 2012, now might be a good time to check the financial health of your current carrier. While a one-time quarterly loss isn’t a reason to immediately run for the exits, a string of quarterly losses most likely has deeper considerations... [Read more of this review]
Ocean bid tip: diversify your carrier alliances!
With so many container lines out there to choose from it’s easy to forget that despite their numbers there really are fewer choices than it seems when you consider carrier alliances and vessel sharing partners. If you are large enough to deal in direct carrier contracts with container lines, then you would be wise to consider the various alliances... [Read more of this review]
Understanding Bunker Fuel: is there a relationship to crude prices?
Unless you work for an ocean container line, there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding bunker fuel costs and how they play into ocean container costs and BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor – fuel surcharge for container lines). This is especially compounded when folks look at the headlines in regards to crude oil prices and start asking questions... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From This CategoryIncoterms
How well do you know your Incoterms?
Think you have a fairly good grasp on your Incoterms? I thought I did until I took the “challenge” from www.tradefacil.com. You can take the challenge here (registration required). Drop us a line and let us know how you did. Read More →
Incoterms: DDP – Delivered Duty Paid
DDP DDP – Delivered Duty Paid – is another useful incoterm that can be used with any mode of transport. It is very similar to DDU except that with DDP the seller is also responsible for all import customs formalities and duty and for final delivery of the goods to the buyer at the named place of destination. Basically, with DDP, the... [Read more of this review]
Incoterms: DDU – Delivery Duty Unpaid
// < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-2970799606890060"; /* 336x280, created 6/20/09 */ google_ad_slot = "3193544641"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; // ]]> DDU – Delivery Duty Unpaid – Is a fairly common incoterm and can be used for any mode of transport. Under DDU terms the seller is responsible for making the goods... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From This CategoryChina Logistics
China’s rising labor costs: will it hurt their competitiveness?
Patrick Chovanec is a professor at Tsinghua University’s School of Economics and Management in Beijing. I first stumbled upon him when I found a very interesting post of his on what he called “The Nine Nations of China” which broke down China into 9 distinct regions, which I highly recommend you check out. Since then I have checked... [Read more of this review]
Hong Kong economic growth plunges
Not great news for one of my favorite cities; but, not particularly surprising either given the state of the global economy. I just finished reading an article on the WSJ which describes the current woes that Hong Kong is currently facing. According to the article, Hong Kong’s economy plunged at its fastest rate in a decade. The economy shrank... [Read more of this review]
Hong Kong Ocean Terminals Video
Anyone importing from Hong Kong or South China knows of the massive operations that are conducted at the ports. This video shows a fairly good overview of the services provided at the port of Hong Kong. Read More →
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