Make your supply chains efficient and responsive during and after COVID-19
The sheer magnitude and unpredictable nature of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has put even the best, most established businesses on shaky ground.
All the best laid plans have had to be revisited and brought back to the drawing board. Businesses have had to adopt a ‘reactive’ approach and go into fire-fighting mode to stay afloat.
There have been questions like “How can supply chain performance be improved in order to ensure that it is responsive and efficient in meeting the needs of final consumers during the pandemic“.
So, what are the lessons that have been learnt? Are we wiser from our experience of this kind of disruption and can we use these learnings to make our supply chains more resilient?
Suicides, assaults and pleas for help as crew change crisis worsens
It is alarming when news of suicide attempts, violence and desperation becomes commonplace.
This is, unfortunately, the state of affairs today with seafarers who are tired, on the brink of mental breakdowns (some have already gone over) and very desperate – this desperation is manifesting through various incidents.
Priyanka Ann Saini covers some of these points in this article.
How shipping containers can help in tackling COVID-19
Hospitals made from shipping containers could help tackle COVID-19
- Architects have designed intensive care units built inside shipping containers.
- These mobile hospitals could help ease pressure on health systems.
- The team behind CURA wants to scale rapidly to tackle the spread of COVID-19 in Africa.
An Italian design company has teamed up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to create prefabricated intensive care units (ICUs), to deal with escalating numbers of coronavirus patients around the world.
Coronavirus patients with access to hospital equipment, in particular ICU beds, have a much greater chance of survival. With 377,431 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on 24 March, health systems around the world are groaning under the strain.
Office Workspace guidelines for COVID-19 by BIMCO
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak started as a locally circulating infection associated with Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market but has since developed into the current pandemic.
To assist the shoreside of the maritime industry in taking appropriate protective measures at office workplaces, BIMCO has issued below guidelines intended to help shipping companies avoid spreading of the disease at offices and office buildings.
BIMCO has produced posters that can be easily printed and used at offices to help guide members of staff and visitors.
We all have a shared responsibility in containing this outbreak and promoting a sense of awareness amongst ourselves and others. We hope that these guidelines will spread the message that basic human acts can go a long way in protecting each other as well as containing the spread of this disease.
Please feel free to share these guidelines throughout the industry.
Incoterms® 2020 rules and how to spot fakes
For the past 80 years, Incoterms® by ICC has been the cornerstone of global commercial trade, creating the basis for robust trade negotiations directly or indirectly involving sellers, buyers, shipping lines, truckers, forwarders, clearing agents, chambers of commerce, legal firms, courts, etc etc..
The rules have been developed and maintained by experts and practitioners brought together by the ICC.. Launched in mid-September 2010, Incoterms® 2010 came into effect on 1 January 2011 and is the latest version till it will be replaced by Incoterms 2020 in 2019..
Naturally and as with any legitimate business or undertaking there are always scrupulous elements trying to take advantage in the market.. In this case, although the Incoterms 2020 will be launched later on in 2019, information or training sessions claiming to explain Incoterms® 2020 has already begun to emerge on a number of websites from non- ICC affiliated providers..
Misuse of the Incoterms® rules can lead to costly mistakes, making it essential to learn about the renowned terms –such as Delivered at Place (DAP), Free Carrier (FCA) and Free on Board (FOB) – from a trusted and credible source like the ICC..
In order to assist the trade in avoiding inaccurate or misleading information on Incoterms® 2020, the ICC has issued a notification containing 3 ways to spot fake Incoterms® rules Information..
Updated information on Yantian Express General Average
Yesterday, I posted some questions relating to the consequences and process of General Average – once it is declared..
In a press release, ONE (Ocean Network Express) one of the alliance partners of Hapag Lloyd, have released further information relating to the Yantian Express which declared General Average on the 25th of January 2019..
The “Yantian Express” suffered a major fire resulting in both the vessel and a portion of the cargo suffering either fire or water damage..
ONE has released an update on the General Average security demand, latest salvage declaration details, a Salvage Guarantee Form and an overview of frequently asked questions (FAQ)..
A Renault’s journey to the F1 race track
The world of shipping and logistics never rests.. It is one project after another.. And when it comes to one of the world’s most expensive sports, the F1 races, logistics efforts and requirements goes up several notches equalling the sounds of the reverberating engines..
This article details the efforts and processes followed by Renault’s F1 logistics team to get their machines to the racetrack, in time, in good shape and condition..
For many logisticians, this could be as thrilling (if not more) than the race itself..
Why cargo insurance and insurers matter..
Cargo insurance is a type of insurance that covers/compensates a buyer or seller of goods against cargo damage or loss of cargo..
Despite insurance having been around for centuries, there is still a feeling that any form of insurance is a “grudge purchase”..
By its nature, insurance is an intangible benefit, one that can only be tested under adverse circumstances and there is nothing more adverse than cargo damage..
From a
- Local (Street to Street, City to City, Town to Town) shipment;
- to Provincial shipment within the same province/state;
- to National shipment within the country;
- to Regional trade within regional trade blocs like EU, BRICS;
- to Global trade between countries
there are several modes and types of trade/shipments around the world..
Although it may seem obvious, it is shocking to see how many customers still do not take the right Cargo Insurance to cover their cargo comprehensively..
I don’t think this lack of proper insurance cover is intentional, but may be due to ignorance or lack of knowledge on the part of the client as far as Cargo Insurance goes..
So when I read an article from Tom O’Malley of TJO Cargo, I felt I had to share it with my readers for a better understanding of Why cargo insurance and insurers matter..
New paperless system saves South Africa’s fruit export sector R250m
In a demonstration of what positive things can happen when the Government and Agricultural sector partner in innovation, a new paperless system is set to save South Africa’s fruit export sector ZAR250 million..
After a successful pilot and implementation by Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the roll out of a new e-Certification IT platform to the fruit industry in 2019, will save the industry at least R250 million over the next five years..
Take back your shipment of trash..!!
South Korean government is said to have confirmed that it would take back approximately 5,100 tons of trash shipped in containers from South Korea to Mindanao in July..
This cargo seems to have been exported to Philippines under forged documents and were not declared correctly..