Logistics is an incredibly complex act of coordination from multiple teams, picking up cargo, bringing it to trains, planes, or ships, carrying its vast distances, and having it picked up again for final delivery at its destination. Storage precautions like insulated packaging can be invaluable if unexpected shipping delays occur, but why do delays occur? Here are some of the most common reasons it happens.
Document Issues
This is the most common reason that shipments can be unexpectedly held up, and there are numerous ways that documents can be the culprit. For example, some shipments may require a shipping/export license, and shipping is halted if a business doesn’t know that and doesn’t include the necessary license. Poor or blurry handwriting can also hold things up, as documentation is inspected at every leg of the journey, and if someone can’t read the data clearly, that may hold up shipping. Even something like improper labeling can result in cargo either halted in its shipping or, worse yet, sent to the wrong destination.
Global Events
Another leading, though less common, reason for shipping delays is global events or “acts of God.” For example, the COVID-19 pandemic was something no one predicted, and it put a huge strain on shipping as many workers became infected. Shipping itself was pushed to its limits and beyond with demand for services the available supply couldn’t meet.
On a smaller scale, weather events such as storms can delay planes from departure, while other storms can cause harbors and ports to close to arriving ships. Nothing can be done except endure the circumstances until things improve. These smaller delays benefit the most from precautions like insulated packaging.
Labor & Equipment Shortage
Another common cause of delays, especially in the world of oceangoing freight vessels, is when there are issues with workers and equipment. The most efficient shipping form is the cargo or freight container, which can’t be loaded and unloaded by hand, especially when filled to capacity. Freight-carrying equipment is required, as are numerous workers at the docks to help coordinate all this activity.
If there are not enough workers or not enough equipment to deal with a shipping surge, as ports are congested with a lot of arriving vessels and not enough people or equipment to handle the load, delays are inevitable until the available resources are finally able to turn their attention to your shipment.
If you’d like to ensure your business shipping goes smoothly and enjoy more peace of mind with insulated packaging, we can help. Contact Protek Cargo with your questions and get a quote.
