Summer is a busy season for freight shipping, with increased demand and unique challenges due to weather conditions and other factors. To ensure smooth and successful shipping, it's important to be prepared and take necessary precautions. Here are 9 valuable tips for both less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) freight shipping during the summer that can help you navigate seasonal shipping with efficiency while minimizing potential disruptions.
1. Plan Ahead for Summer Shipping
Planning ahead is crucial for successful freight shipping during the summer. With increased demand and potential capacity constraints, it is essential to book your shipments in advance. By providing your logistics provider with sufficient lead time, you can secure space on trucks or vessels and avoid last-minute delays or higher costs.
2. Protect Your Temperature-Sensitive Cargo
Summer heat can pose challenges for temperature-sensitive cargo, such as perishable goods or pharmaceuticals. Ensure that your shipments are properly packaged and protected from extreme temperatures. Consider using insulated containers, temperature-controlled trailers, or refrigerated shipping options to maintain the integrity of your goods.
3. Monitor Weather Conditions
Summer weather can be unpredictable, with storms, heatwaves, and other weather events that may impact freight shipping. Stay informed about weather conditions along your shipping routes and make necessary adjustments to avoid potential disruptions. Communicate with your logistics provider to receive real-time updates and contingency plans in case of adverse weather.
4. Optimize Freight Packaging
Proper packaging is essential to protect your goods during transit, especially during the summer months. Use sturdy and durable packaging materials that can withstand heat and humidity. Consider using moisture-resistant materials, pallets, or shrink-wrapping to prevent damage caused by condensation or exposure to moisture.
5. Be Mindful of Summer Holiday Schedules
Summer is a season of holidays and long weekends, which can affect freight shipping schedules. Be aware of any upcoming holidays and their impact on transit times and carrier availability. Plan your shipments accordingly, allowing for potential delays and ensuring that your goods reach their destination on time.
6. Communicate With Carriers Often
Maintaining open lines of communication with carriers is crucial during the summer season. Regularly communicate with your carriers to stay updated on any changes or delays that may affect your shipments. Establish a reliable communication channel to address any concerns promptly and ensure a smooth shipping process.
7. Consider Off-Peak Summer Shipping
During the summer, there may be peak periods of high demand for freight shipping. Consider scheduling your shipments during off-peak hours or days to avoid congestion and potential delays. Off-peak shipping can also help you secure better rates and ensure faster transit times.
8. Stay Informed About Capacity Constraints
Summer is a peak season for various industries, including agriculture, retail and tourism. This increased demand can lead to capacity constraints in the freight industry. Stay informed about potential capacity issues and work closely with your logistics provider to secure space for your shipments. Consider alternative transportation modes or consolidation options to optimize capacity.
9. Track and Trace Shipments
Tracking and tracing your shipments is essential during the summer season. Utilize technology-driven solutions provided by your logistics provider (like a transportation management system) to monitor the progress of your shipments in real-time. This visibility allows you to proactively address any issues, provide accurate updates to customers and ensure timely delivery.
How a Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Provider Can Help You During Summer Shipping Season
A third-party logistics (3PL) provider can help you navigate shipping all year around, but particularly during the busy seasonal shipping months in the summer. Five ways a 3PL can help you with summer shipping includes:
- Flexibility and Scalability: One of the greatest advantages of working with a 3PL is the flexibility and scalability it provides. With fluctuating demand during the summer months, having access to additional resources and expertise allows businesses to adapt to changing circumstances seamlessly. Whether you need to ramp up your shipping capacity or adjust your distribution network, a 3PL can tailor solutions to meet your specific needs.
- Expertise in Temperature-sensitive Shipments: Summer heat can pose significant challenges for temperature-sensitive shipments such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. A reputable 3PL has the expertise and infrastructure to handle these delicate cargo requirements. From specialized packaging to climate-controlled storage and transportation, they ensure that your products remain in optimal condition throughout the supply chain.
- Mitigation of Weather-related Delays: Summer storms, hurricanes, and other weather events can disrupt shipping schedules and lead to costly delays. By leveraging their network of carriers and advanced technology, 3PLs can proactively monitor weather patterns and reroute shipments to avoid affected areas. This proactive approach minimizes the impact of adverse weather conditions and helps maintain on-time deliveries.
- Access to Advanced Technology: Modern logistics operations rely heavily on technology to optimize efficiency and visibility. 3PLs invest in cutting-edge technology, like a transportation management system, to track shipments in real-time, analyze data for insights, and streamline processes. By leveraging these technological capabilities, businesses gain greater visibility into their supply chain and can make data-driven decisions to enhance performance.
- Focus on Core Competencies: Outsourcing logistics functions to a 3PL allows businesses to focus on their core competencies and strategic initiatives. By offloading the complexities of shipping and warehousing, particularly during the busy summer shipping season, companies can allocate resources more efficiently and concentrate on growing their business.
GlobalTranz Can Ensure Your Success This Summer Shipping Season
Freight shipping during the summer season requires careful planning, proactive measures, and effective communication. By following these nine tips, you can navigate the challenges of increased demand, extreme weather conditions, and potential capacity constraints.
GlobalTranz has more than 30 years of success in the logistics industry and helps thousands of shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. We are also part of WWEX Group, alongside GlobalTranz and Unishippers. Combined, these three companies make up one of the largest and most diverse 3PLs in the industry, providing shippers with top solutions and shipping technology that help them succeed.
See how GlobalTranz can help you transform your freight shipping. If you are ready to talk, reach out for a free consultation today!