Logistics brokers and agents are to face versatile challenges and difficulties. The number is increasing when the outdoor temperatures are decreasing. The winter season is not the most favorite one among the freight transportation companies. It’s only because of the necessity to deal with endless orders and regularly missed delays during the Christmas holidays. The thing is that the cold weather
The following tips are to help you to make the winter freight transportation as smooth and safe as possible:
- Get to know everything about the freight you are shipping.
You should clearly realize what temperatures are good for the products you deal with. There are some categories of goods that require no additional protection.
- Make up the most optimal routes.
Experienced freight forwarders have their own maps with the roads they have to avoid in winter. You are to make up the most optimal routes considering the problem spots.
- The right choice of vehicles is a must.
The most secure and effective way to protect freight from freezing is on a reefer truck or in a van trailer equipped with a special heater. A reefer is a trailer equipped with a refrigeration unit. It is used to control the internal temperature of the trailer.
- Consider the use of proper warehousing capacities.
Freight forwarding is not only about delivering cargo from place A to place B. It also implies the use of warehouses. They are to meet the needs of the goods and products you are shipping. Proper climate control is a must. Moreover, some drivers have the option of parking their trailers in a heated warehouse. It’s an awesome solution for weekend deliveries when the driver arrives at the delivery location a day or two prior to the delivery date.
Moreover, there is one more thing you should take into consideration. Icy roads are another serious threat to the cargo. Why? They often lead to crashes and damages when it comes to truck transportation. There are several steps you should take to minimize the risks. The first one is constant weather monitoring. You should not be glued to the TV screen. Nowadays you can receive all the needed information on your smartphone. You have to pay special attention to snowfalls, ice, wind, and rains. If you receive alerts, it’s necessary to correct your route or clarify deadlines with the client.
The next awesome apps you may explore are those that detect traffic jams on the roads. If some highways are blocked because of weather conditions, you are to be informed about it in advance. It allows you to adjust to the situation and alter the route.
It has to be highlighted that the protection from freeze is an added service and will impact the cost to move the freight even if you cooperate with <a href=”https://excellogist.com/”>cheap freight shipping</a> companies. Reefers tend to run at a higher rate per mile than dry trailers. A carrier is to offer a flat surcharge or an added cost-per-mile fee to the line haul of the shipment.
To sum it up, it should be highlighted that winter freight forwarding is a rather risky and challenging process. If you are a business owner, you have to cooperate only with the companies which are ready to provide you with top-quality services and protect your freight from both freezing and damages. If you are a logistics broker, you are to prepare vehicles for winter weather. Otherwise, you risk losing both clients and money.
