In sea freight exports, various documents such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, and packing lists play a crucial role in ensuring smooth customs clearance and legitimate transactions. Understanding the functions of these documents is essential for professionals in foreign trade.
According to the Association of American Railroads, June showed positive growth in U.S. rail freight volume, although cross-border freight experienced a decline. This trend reflects the complex changes in the economic environment, with a year-on-year increase in total load during the first half of the year. Future market dynamics will depend on fluctuations in global supply chains and consumer demand.
This report analyzes the key players in the global shipping industry and their financial performance, including companies in container, dry bulk, liquefied gas, and port services. It also looks ahead to the industry's future prospects, highlighting challenges posed by policy changes and environmental protection, as well as strategies for investors to respond.
Breakbulk cargo refers to goods that cannot be transported in standard containers and are typically shipped individually. Unlike bulk cargo, breakbulk cargo requires greater equipment and labor resources, making the transportation process more complex. Understanding its transport characteristics can help optimize logistics management and enhance a company's competitiveness.
Choosing the best transportation method is crucial. For goods weighing 200 kilograms, freight should be considered over express delivery. It's important to weigh options such as Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL), and air freight to meet business needs while minimizing costs.
The express bill of lading is a paperless transportation method that simplifies procedures by omitting the issuance of original bills of lading, thus enhancing the efficiency of goods delivery. It is suitable for situations where importers have made payments or established credit relationships with suppliers, providing a convenient and secure option for international trade.
Flexport's ocean timeliness metrics show that transit times from China to the U.S. West Coast remain at 35 days, while the time to Northern Europe has slightly decreased to 61.1 days, and the East Coast has risen to 55.6 days. This data reflects the dynamic changes in global shipping amid the current complex situation, highlighting the need for businesses to prioritize the management and adjustment of transit times.
Pallets are essential tools in modern freight transport, enhancing loading and unloading efficiency and ensuring the safety of goods. They are mainly divided into stringer pallets and block pallets, making them particularly suitable for scenarios like Amazon FBA. Proper use of pallets can not only reduce losses but also improve overall supply chain efficiency.
Full Container Load (FCL) is an efficient maritime shipping method where goods occupy an entire container, allowing for direct loading and transport to container yards. FCL transportation is flexible and cost-effective, making it suitable for large volumes of goods, significantly enhancing supply chain efficiency.
BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) is a fee established by shipping companies to address fluctuations in fuel prices. By dynamically adjusting this fee, companies can manage cost changes. Combined with the IMO's low-sulfur fuel policy, BAF impacts logistics costs on shipping routes. Flexport has incorporated BAF into its rates to provide clients with a more transparent fee structure and better budget management.
