Tag: Shipping

Future Forwarding expands in to Scotland, UK

We have expanded our network into Scotland with the opening of a new branch based in Glasgow, providing freight forwarding services for all modes of transport and international trade lanes. With excellent connectivity for air, road, and sea, this is a key location for Future Forwarding’s development plans, bringing additional knowledge and networks to complement the existing UK offices in Leeds and Manchester.

“We are extremely pleased to be opening our new location in Scotland. It is an exciting time as we look to grow our UK operations and reach new customers. With a long and established customer base in the north of England it seemed a natural step for us to open north of the border, where we hope customers will appreciate our quality of service and personal approach” said Richard Lawford, Managing Director UK

The office based at Rutherglen in Glasgow is headed up by Regional Director Jason Sanders, alongside co-directors Scott Gallacher and Kenny Cooney, all bringing extensive knowledge and many years of experience from the Scottish freight forwarding industry.

 “We are delighted to be joining the Future Forwarding family, and opening an office that will serve Scotland’s companies who trade on an international scale,” said Jason Sanders Regional Director Scotland, “We look to take pride in building solid relationships with customers and suppliers, and providing them support for their supply chain models and businesses through our bespoke and flexible service offerings”

More Blank Sailings on the Horizon

The outlook for container shipping post-Lunar New Year is looking increasingly bleak, as more lines are caving to the mounting pressure and announcing an increasing number of blank sailings.

 

The industry was already feeling the strain prior to Lunar New Year, with container imports into North America and Europe slowing from their peak. This slowdown has been exacerbated by the current situation, with factories in China being closed and demand for transportation of goods stalling.

 

The result of this is that container lines are having to take increasing numbers of blank sailings as they grapple to balance capacity and demand. This is a costly move for the lines, but essential in order to prevent any oversupply that would further drive down rates.This is likely to have an effect on the rest of the industry, with traders and shippers facing higher transport costs and longer transit times.

 

It is likely that the current situation will continue for some time and, as such, container lines may be forced to adopt further contingency measures. This could mean more blank sailings, which will further reduce container imports and add to the current industry woes.

 

In the short term, the container shipping market will remain volatile and unpredictable. In the meantime, shippers must remain alert to the possibility of yet more blank sailings, and plan their container imports accordingly. In doing so, they can minimize disruption to their business and ensure smooth operations, even in the face of an increasingly challenging industry.

 

With disruption and delay on the horizon, you need a trusted partner familiar with navigating these waters. At Future Forwarding, our years of experience and expertise can help you plan around these snarls and keep your cargo moving. Reach out today to see how your future could look with Future Forwarding. 

 

Cargo Insurance and Why You Need It

When you are transporting cargo, there are multiple modes of transportation utilized before it reaches the final destination. Be it by air, sea, truck, or by rail, there are usually at least two modes of transportation that it takes between origin and consignee. Sometimes things get jostled in transit, or even broken and smashed. All purely by accident. And when this loss or damage occurs, no one usually wants to take the blame to make things right between the cargo owner, and the cargo receiver. 

 

Because of this, sometimes it’s necessary to invest in insurance for your cargo, as each mode of transport has its own, limited form of liability that may or may not make the cargo owner whole again. This is where cargo insurance steps in.

 

Future Forwarding is not only experienced in this, but when a loss or claim occurs, we submit a claim to the insurer who will review the claim and if approved, pay the cargo owner and subrogate against the responsible party.

 

While cargo insurance is, well, added insurance, there are also three simple ways to protect cargo in transit and avoid a claim. They are:

  1. Pack the goods in containers of proper strength and weight.
  2. Properly, block and brace cargo to eliminate empty spaces where cargo could move around and be damaged.
  3. Consider the forces put on a shipment during transit and pack appropriately.

There are a number of things that can happen to the cargo if it’s not packed properly, but have you considered what would occur if something happened to the vessel? The rule of General Average comes into play then. 

 

If you don’t have cargo insurance, then a cash bond must be posted and is held until the final General Average amount and settlements are agreed upon. This, however, could take years to process. The best thing about cargo insurance? You get to avoid this hassle and have your cargo discharged without delay or a pending financial guarantee. 

 

Supply chains are stretched thin and every piece of cargo is in demand upon arrival. While the loss of overdue cargo cannot make it reappear and satisfy upset customers, it can at least protect the cargo owner from being out of pocket for the loss of the merchandise. Future Forwarding’s open cargo policy is extremely competitive and coverage can be attached mid-shipment. Contact your Future Forwarding representative for a quote today.

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