The pandemic has disturbed all kinds of transportation around the world, the blow has been greater for sea freight logistics and air freight services.
Although it has presented great challenges for logistics, there are solutions to overcome them.
Have a look at some of the key logistic challenges, which have spurred the need to look for solutions.
The capacity
Before the pandemic, most of the global trade volume was transferred through the ocean, but when the world got struck by the virus the supply of many goods curtailed. Consequently, the demand for the goods sent through the ocean plummeted.
The ocean carriers responded to crises by removing the shipment capacity from the market. This made them cancel a number of shipments and therefore, reduce the capacity. The shortages of drivers and the elevated border restrictions also contributed to shrinking the freight capacity and led to shipment delays.
The additional geographic risks
The great corona crises have really affected the world and demanded freight forwarders to re-evaluate their locations of supply chains. Taking loads from some locations has become harder, similarly delivering a load to certain locations has also posed a threat.
The manufacturers that deal with shipments of goods from countries that are thought to be in hot zones of the virus had to shut down their operations. Consequently, many logistic companies had to cut their ties with high-risk countries and closed off their borders for trade. Therefore, many countries within the trading routes could no longer benefit from the partnerships.
The sea and air freight limitations
Since the countries were almost shut down in lockdowns, the freight industries were the first ones to feel the effects of the Pandemic. Consequently, the supply could not keep up with the soaring demand of the market. Furthermore, the tightening of health inspections in some countries has led to greater delays.
The ocean routes have also greatly suffered as most suppliers shut down their operations, causing a lack of supplies. That is how the ever-busy ports of the past are now serving as merely the docking parts for many cargo liners.
Land transport also suffered
Even if the supply reaches the destination country, there is no way that it is going to magically reach the doorstep of consumers. The pandemic had also caused great damage to land transport.
The shortage of labour and workforce
Since pandemic has caused a significant decrease in supply and demand of the product, the majority of the companies have been made to fire many of their workers, in order to meet their operational costs.
The few fortunate workers that could keep their jobs have reportedly been spending hours on end to meet their previous goals.
Furthermore, there are a number of workers that have been affected by the deadly virus. Fearing that their fate would be the same, the remaining employees have also opted to do work from home. As a result, a great strain has been put on logistic companies.
Since human beings are resilient enough to face most challenges thrown their way, the challenges that are faced by logistic companies of Pakistan would also be effectively dealt with. With great contingency planning, the pandemic is only another milestone that is waiting to be overcome.
Being the world’s greatest logistic company, Bismillah Logistics is likely to overcome the hurdles posed by the corona crises.