Operating in the liner and break bulk trades, the cargo agent is responsible for securing cargo for the line or ship operator. The agent is required to be in contact regularly with local shippers and be ready to provide information on vessel schedules, competitive rates and conditions of carriage. The agent may also offer or provide inland transportation, customs clearance and other related services.
Also known as project cargo, project forwarding or project logistics, is the transportation of large, complex, or high-value piece of equipment, including break bulk shipments, that can move by land, sea, or air. This process involves single or multiple shipments with the help of cranes, trucks, rail, planes, and ships. In addition, project cargo tends to have a specific time-frame or specified delivery date that makes these shipments some of the most complex and detailed projects in the entire logistics industry. So let’s view the stages of a Project cargo.
Getting Started:
Pre-planning is crucial
An organized and detailed plan is necessary for every successful cargo project and making time to organize and plan every detail can save shippers a lot of time and money, while also reducing the risk of unexpected events.
Work on a contingency plan
It is always probable that an unpredictable or unanticipated events may occur which can impact the planned strategy. One should always consider every alternative and have a plan B if plan A id down. An appropriate contingency plan can help ensure successful deliveries.
Execution
Once everything is in place, it’s time to begin transporting the commodity. Different countries have different protocols with regards to customs compliance, paper work, duties, exemptions, authorizations, and other considerations that must be followed. A project cargo manager should be able to support organisations with all the regulatory considerations and budgeting process, as well as providing insights into the shipment design, packaging, routing options, and appropriate choices for final delivery. The execution of project cargo transportation should be just as comprehensive as the pre-planning stage. Based on transit times and other factors, a project cargo manager will carefully execute the plans with constant communication, and overall transparency.
Camel Logistics Ltd 