Logistics and shipping go hand in hand to ensure the smooth storage and transportation of products, inventory, or materials. We rely on logistics and shipping professionals to ensure we have items we need in our daily lives, such as food, cars, and gadgets like smartphones. When we pick up our phones to watch a video or play new online casino games, we have the logistics and shipping sector to thank for bringing the entertainment to our fingertips. The sector is a growing one and is also developing due to technological progression. Keep reading to learn more about the latest changes to logistics and shipping.
Increased Utilisation of Air Freight
Air freight has become increasingly popular in recent years to transport items quickly and securely. It’s advantageous in situations where the end-user urgently needs things. The advantages of air freight are:
- Reliability and speed
- Security of transportation
- Access to remote locations is often easier by air
- Most providers of air freight services provide web-based tracking
- Packaging for air freight is lightweight, reducing packaging costs
Autonomous Transportation and Company Procedures
Autonomous vehicles can transport items without the need for human intervention. The use of these vehicles in the logistics and shipping sector is still in its early days, but trials are happening. For example, Ford and DP World London Gateway in the UK simulated an autonomous vehicle to show how useful the technology could be to the sector’s future. Digitalisation and robotics are already well-advanced and used in warehouses and storage facilities, so fully integrating their use in transportation vehicles may be pretty close.
Sustainability and Greener Practices
There’s increased awareness of sustainable and greener processes in the logistics and shipping sector. Companies recognise the need to adopt more environmentally friendly practices and reduce their carbon footprint. They’re meeting these requirements in several ways, including partnering with green last-mile delivery partners, using electric vehicles, using recyclable packaging, using green energy sources, and consolidating orders to be delivered together, reducing the number of delivery journeys. Most companies are using a combination of greener practices to play their part in protecting the planet.
Cloud-based Processes & Systems
Cloud-based storage and systems allow logistics and shipping companies to operate more efficiently. Cloud-based solutions do this in several different ways. They:
- Cut the cost of hardware and IT infrastructure
- Increase efficiency as online services enable the automation of repeatable tasks
- Allow for rapid scalability and growth as Cloud services are flexible and can reflect changing business situations quickly and easily
- Ensure that the organisation is always up to date regarding industry information, such as cargo rates and embargoed country lists
Conclusion
The logistics and shipping sector is changing as technology advances. Air freight is gaining popularity in terms of the transport used, and autonomous vehicles are being trialled. Vehicles also play a part in developing green logistics practices where electric transportation is increasingly common. The increased use of Cloud-based processes and systems overarches these changes and allows the sector to operate more efficiently.
