Rebuilding that bridge will “not be quick” and will be costly, claimed USA Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is also a former naval officer.
But in the aftermath of the Baltimore’s container ship’s deadly collision with the Key bridge, and the complete closure of the Baltimore port, there are further worries for the shipping industry. Many within the freight forwarding community are still trying to assess the variety of damages and delays to the countless goods which are still being stuck there, as a result of the disaster.
Dealing with a freight crisis is nothing new. Freight forwarders are still having to deal with headaches such as the Global disruptions caused by the Panama canal drought or the impacts of the Red Sea shipping crisis, to name just two.
The shutting down of the Baltimore’s port, as a result of the Key bridge collapse, means that all kinds of goods need to find alternative routes in order to maintain their supply chain progress and delivery.
Freight forwarders may want to consider the following takeaways when trying to handle a crisis situation better and when having to deal with such uncertainty and sudden change:
Assessing the crisis route situation asap
By operating a digital supply chain management platform, a freight forwarder can immediately locate clients’ routes he has quoted and still manage, and start checking alternative shipping solutions for them.
This is true for shipments stuck at the port of origin, such as the closed Baltimore port, as well as for shipments headed for a suddenly-closed port but are now required to change their destination.
Contacting the client for a consultation
A freight forwarder can then contact such clients immediately, let them know that he is aware of the crisis situation, ask for their preferences for moving along their stuck goods, and assure them that he will come up with alternative solutions to such shipments.
Preparing alternative solutions (routes and pricing)
With a digital supply chain management system able to easily and quickly offer the freight forwarder alternative routes and pricing, he can then compare all of the offers the system presents for him and send the client a new quote.
Contacting the client for a second time (or more)
Dealing with a stressful and an uncertain situation, for all parties involved, calls for constant freight forwarder-client communication. Once a new quote has been issued, the freight forwarder needs to call his clients again, in order to make sure they are satisfied with the new alternative as well as to show them that the entire shipping situation is under control.
Sometimes a further consultation may be required, since the client may change his requirements and wants for the goods shipment. And since the new and alternative routes may call for a longer delivery time and higher fees, communicating the offer would better take place not only digitally but through a face-to-face, zoom or phone, conversation.
Wisor AI's digital platform can help freight forwarders better handle a crisis
Freight forwarders seeking to quickly offer clients alternative routes and price solutions, in the case of an emergency or a crisis, can use Wisor AI’s supply chain management platform.
By using an all-including digital management platform, freight forwarders can immediately track all carriers being stuck in the crisis area, consult with their clients about the situation and quickly come up with alternative route and price solutions for them.
Book a demo with us and we’ll show you how our platform can assist you!
Visit us here: https://wisor.ai/