Logistics around shipping are notoriously challenging to manage. Shipping may be complex for businesses of any size, from determining which shipping carriers to utilize to deciding which shipping containers to rent.
But there are various ways to increase delivery productivity while better serving your client’s needs.
The secret is to anticipate potential problems with shipping and set up mechanisms to eliminate them so that your customers always get their products fast and without incident.
This article will cover the importance of container tracking, its benefits and drawbacks, and how to handle shipping issues better.
What is a Container Tracking System?
Knowing the specific position of your container is much easier with a container tracking system. In addition, it is crucial to keep customers updated on the whereabouts of their freight.
It’s not easy to ship anything by ocean freight, particularly if you have to wait for updates on your package. Uncertainty compounds stress, making the situation much worse.
Here, the importance of technology becomes apparent, and we turn to container tracking.
As soon as you reserve or register a container and sign the contract, you’ll be issued a container number and a tracking id. You may use this to track down your storage units more efficiently.
While most service providers try to keep their clients updated on the whereabouts of their containers, most have problems doing so.
A vital tool to help you avoid this bother is container tracking. They provide convenient container tracking so you can maintain track of your package as it travels from one place to another.
What Makes Tracking Containers Important?
Tracking is crucial to your supply chain since it helps you respond to exceptions more quickly, save costs, and increase consumer transparency. A few more of tracking’s benefits are as follows:
Fast Shipping
Timeliness is of the essence, and as a logistics manager, you understand this better than anybody. It is preferable to become aware of an exception as soon as possible so that corrective measures may be taken.
In an emergency, you will be more prepared if you can track your containers in real-time and get information from your carriers.
Time and Money Savings
Why are shipments delayed? When a company’s container is stopped at the port or when the return of an empty container is delayed, the company may incur demurrage and detention charges.
Keeping tabs on containers while in transit can help reduce costly demurrage and detention fees. Each hour that a trucker waits for your container results in additional costs.
Costs associated with demurrage and detention may be mitigated if shippers and receivers are kept up to date on the precise arrival time of the container.
Enhance Protections
If the container exits a predefined area, you will be notified through geofencing and associated alerts. These safeguards lessen the likelihood of theft and damage and help recover stolen goods if they have already been sent.
Verifying and Maintaining High Standards
Sensors report products’ temperature, humidity, damage, and so on to the owner. Shipping perishable items like food, plants, live fish, or medical supplies rely on this.
Customer Relations Have Improved
You may provide your final consumer additional insight into your container’s whereabouts, current condition, and expected arrival time with an efficient container tracking system.
Increased customer satisfaction is the outcome of making customers feel more at ease, increasing their level of knowledge, and facilitating their ability to implement necessary adjustments.
Problems Associated with Container Tracking
Several companies use cargo container ships to deliver their goods and products worldwide.
Because of the complexity and quantity of processes involved in shipping, there is a high degree of unpredictability and the potential for issues to occur at any point. If containers are misplaced, it may cause significant cargo shipment delays, even lasting months.
One strategy to adapt to supply chain and market changes is to use real-time container tracking. However, there are specific difficulties associated with container tracking:
Failure to Focus Attention on an Issue
Long-distance container shipments often pass through many ports and are transported by a fleet of trucks. Such a procedure calls for comprehensive cargo tracking. Tracking will fail if a link in the chain is broken at any point.
Problems in Meeting Freight Delivery Deadlines
The timely or rapid delivery of merchandise is equally as important as its security to ensure customer pleasure. When parties involved in the delivery process fail to coordinate their efforts, delays occur.
Political and social-economic crises, as well as busy travel periods, tend to cause more delays.
Disorganized or Ineffective Communication
When shippers and receivers rely too much on freight forwarders and carriers, communication breaks down, and updates on the shipment’s status slow or stop altogether.
Additionally, it raises concerns that the container and its contents have not been handled with complete openness.
Infrastructure that is not Sufficiently Adequate
Inadequate infrastructure and space at specific ports hinder the shipping process when larger boats and higher trade volumes strike shipping routes.
Answer to the Problem of Implementing a Container Tracking System
A container tracking system is implemented to avoid confusion about which ship is carrying which cargo.
At any moment, you can see exactly where all of your containers are and obtain details about them, such as their dimensions, contents, loading port, and eventual destination.
If a container is moved without authorization or is not put in the correct area of the terminal, an alert may be sent to the appropriate staff members immediately.
The system facilitates a quicker identification of delays and deviations, a shorter dwell time for containers, and the automation of warnings and notifications for faster, more effective responses to incidents.
Bottomline
Learning from past experiences and improving upon them is always possible. Don’t panic if you run into problems with shipping; chances are good that a solution may be found with some time and investigation.
When integrated with a container tracking system, devices and sensors provide shippers more command over when and where their cargo arrives.
Logistics firms can no longer operate in a vacuum, given the state of the business and recent events. They must maintain continuous visibility and control over the supply chain.
Only then can we guarantee prompt delivery of a complete order with no damaged goods.