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Types of Analytics in Supply Chain Management

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  The global supply chain management ensures seamless functioning, enhanced efficiency and productivity, and increased profit margin. It is only possible through proper management and insights into every activity in the supply chain. Analytics in supply chain management is utilised to skim through data insights to filter, address, evaluate, and identify solutions to potential challenges and loopholes in the supply chain. It helps the supply chain management figure out newer strategies and optimise operations to tackle supply chain inefficiencies. It immensely benefits supply chain operations as it finds the exact problems, gives solutions, and can test the potential solutions to identify their efficiency in practical life. Let us look at the different types of supply chain analytics and how they manage supply chain operations. What is the need for analytics in supply chain management? Analytics is indispensable in supply chain management due to several compelling reasons. Firstly, ...

What is container rain in the shipping industry?

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Container rain in the shipping industry is one of the growing concerns among shippers, especially in the maritime sector. The primary cause is the moisture-laden air trapped inside the shipping container that can condense and form water droplets sticking to the container's roof. Dripping inside the container leads to severe damage to the cargo, especially in the cases of international shipping , where the containers are packed and closed for a significant amount of time. Shipping companies must therefore ensure that the containers are loaded in an area free from humidity. In the case of maritime transportation, humidity, and moisture is one of the primary issues for containers. Therefore, necessary steps must be taken to control the damage. The article will help in gaining more knowledge about container rain. What is the cause of container rain? The shipping containers store and transport goods nationally and internationally through various modes of transport. Containers suffer t...

Regulations under IMO 2020 and their effects on public health and the shipping sector

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The shipping industry is one of the largest international industries, accounting for almost 90% of world trade. It becomes evident that a higher authority is required to handle such a large-scale industry. Now is when the term International Maritime Organization (IMO) becomes apparent.    IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. To guarantee that this crucial part remains secure, environmentally sound, energy-efficient, and at ease, IMO measures cover all areas of international shipping, including ship layout, building, equipment, staffing, operation, and disposal. It is actively working towards its plan of achieving sustainable development goals and associated SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) by 2030. The IMO 2020 regulations focus on reducing sulphur in the fuel used by ships.    Why do we need IMO 2020 regulations?     The bunker fuel is the crud...

Port community: Uses & Benefits

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Ports have rapidly evolved over the decades to form port communities to facilitate the smooth functioning of ports and handle the growing demands of the trade industry. Ports worldwide have significant concerns associated with administrative complexity, inconsistency, insufficient data, and document flow. This affects port users participating in maritime operations. The exchange of information through insecure channels and lengthy paperwork has constantly been draining. A sustainable solution to this was the port community system, that interlinked multiple channels to customers. What is a Port Community System? A Port community is a network between the seaports and their supply chain. In this era of digitalization, this network has developed into a port community system. The port management system aids in secure interaction between the sender and receiver, thereby managing and carrying out seamless trade. PCS, or port community system, is a digital platform open to all, which provides ...

How to maintain your shipping containers' roof health?

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Maritime shipping containers are among the most crucial aspects of the shipping industry and global trade. They have been in use for transporting and storing cargo for decades without getting much notice. It is of utmost necessity for metal shipping containers to be in their prime health. And they can be in their prime when all the parts, including the shipping container floor , roof, door, and other parts, are in top-notch condition.  The roof of the shipping boxes must be in shape at all times. And when it's a high cube container , one must give due importance as the roof is a bit higher than the standard boxes. Small dents won’t be seen earlier till they lead to some big issue.  And any dent in them whether high cube or standard, it may cause the wind and snow to seep inside. The holes let the water come inside the unit forming rust and corrosion. This article will let you know how to maintain the shipping container roof’s health. Timely maintenance Timely maintenance of th...

Shipping Containers Air conditioning, Heating, and Ventilation

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Temperature is one of the most important deciding factors for cargo quality and shipping container maintenance . Fluctuation in heat and humidity can lead to "container sweating" or "container rain". Let's take a look at its side effects and how it impacts the health of the cargo inside. Why should we consider Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for our steel shipping containers? What is container sweat? Any cool object gathers moisture and starts to sweat in case it is suddenly placed in a hotter ambient atmosphere. The same moisture condensation happens for metal shipping containers to incase they journey from a relatively cold area to a warmer atmosphere. The interior ceiling of the cargo container starts to gather "container sweat" that rains down on the cargo with a rise in temperature.  How does it affect the health of our goods? "Container sweat" is not to be taken lightly because slight neglect can mean a severe...

Five Factors That Affect Shipping Container Prices

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It is a well-known fact that around 80 % of global trade takes place through the maritime route. This highlights the importance of maritime transport and the shipping industry to maintain the vitality of the global economy. There are a number of internal and external factors that decide the healthy function of maritime logistics and its price. Maritime Shipping containers are one such important internal factor that can impact the freight price or translate to supply chain disturbance . It is to be taken into account that since May 2021 global cargo containers price has increased by 60%, significantly impacting shipping logistic prices. Countries around the world are regulating container exports and imports to ease the situation. Let us know five reasons behind the rising cargo box cost: Global Pandemic adding sky-high containers price The global pandemic has impacted the price of freight units in two ways. During the global lockdown, many countries closed their ports as a result empty ...

Tips for Renting Shipping Containers | LOTUS Containers

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Maritime shipping containers are highly demanded products due to their resilience and versatile utility. However, buying them can mean a hefty investment. The average price range of cargo containers varies between a few thousand dollars. It is not always feasible to buy them if the required duration is a seasonal or short period. So, as an alternative people can rent shipping containers with a suitable term plan. Hiring shipping containers can prove to be a more cost-effective solution than buying in case of short-term requirements. However, long-term leasing can be very costly and offers a less flexible solution. What are the things you should consider while renting containers? Here are a few tips for cargo box rental to make the whole process easier for you. How frequently do you need them? First and foremost, analyze the frequency of your requirement for metal shipping containers. If you need them throughout the year, renting them might be a very costly choice. But, if you need the...