In the commercial shipping industry we’re often at the mercy of nature and humankind as a course of business. Starting well over a year ago, the COVID-19 pandemic is by far causing more unprecedented disruptions to the infrastructure of global transportation and logistics than experienced in contemporary times.

The continuing spread of the virus and the mitigation strategies to prevent further spread have caused extraordinary delays in the global transportation supply chain including:

• Heavy port congestion
• Person power shortages
• Trucking shortages
• Warehouse delays
• Labor disruptions
• Cargo surges from big ships
• Infrastructure needs
• Marine terminal productivity
• Increased volumes
• Equipment shortages

As an international asset-based provider, DGX-Dependable Global Express has access to more and accurate reporting from our global hubs than might be reported elsewhere. Some of our overseas directors report the following information which we encourage you to report out further across your company and within your network:

Shipping to and from China:

• Lack of space due to major surge of import volumes into the US
• Increased lead times for bookings
• Port congestion
• Vessel and ship delays
• Major increases in freight rates

• Serious lack of equipment at all ports
• Lack of space due to export vessel delays
• Increased lead times for bookings
• Lack of available trucking
• Substantial increases in freight rates

• Equipment shortages
• Lack of space in warehouses in Singapore
• Port congestion
• Increased lead times for bookings

• Port congestion and related capacity constraints
• Overflow of empty containers
• Increased lead times for bookings
• Substantial increases in freight rates
• Vessel schedule changes

• Port congestion
• Vessels being pulled from rotation by major carriers
• Major increases in freight rates
• Increased lead times for bookings

These shipping and logistic issues—along with rail and ramp delays—mirror the current transportation situation in the US.

Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve had to work extra closely with our US and international customers to help navigate the unforeseen short and long-term challenges. With our years of experience and extensive network in the shipping industry, we’re slowly but surely helping them to be successful.

Our approach:

• We strategize with our customers on a case-by-case, shipment-to-shipment basis for shipping and logistics.
  
  
• We take a flexible approach to sea freight, switching origin and destination ports when more optimal, and creating new inland routing scenarios or alternatives.
  
  
• We’ve pivoted FCL (Full Container Load) shipments to LCL (Less-than Container Load) in certain cases, and rebooking later FCLs.
  
  
• We closely monitor booking lead times for all ports and make adjustments as needed.
  
  
• For time sensitive freight, we implement airfreight options.
  
  
• We have a “hands-on” approach to managing the door delivery of your goods.
  
  
• We stay on top of trucking shortages or delays and make fast changes as needed.
  
  
• We encourage our customers to purchase very cost-effective insurance for all shipments and can even provide insurance quotes and details upon request. Securing marine cargo insurance has become even more critical in light of the recent surge in cargo vessels in peril.

DGX will guide you through these temporary challenges as we look toward to the future in 2021 and 2022. As part of the personalized attention that we provide to every customer, DGX assigns you a dedicated sales agent at the front end of your shipment planning.For more information, call us at (888) 488-4888 ext. 2011 or email us to get started today.

Resource for port related information can be found here.