Week of September 19th, 2022
Linking supply chain news with dangerous goods compliance
Capacity constraints, potential labor strikes, port congestion and other supply chain disruptions have companies looking at alternative ways to ship their goods. But shifting transportation modes can be especially challenging for companies shipping hazmat.
Let’s examine some recent industry news.
SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS
- Leading Trucking Interests Say Potential Rail Strike Would ‘Create Havoc’ in Supply Chains: The trucking industry warned that a strike by the U.S.-based Class I freight railroads would be an economic calamity that the nation could not afford.
- A Deal to Avert a Rail Strike is on Track, but it Won’t Fix U.S. Supply Chain Issues: A tentative deal averted a strike on the nation’s freight lines, but the concern generated by the possibility of such a disruption highlights how fragile the nation’s supply chains remain.
- More Brands Are Choosing Air Cargo to Reduce Shipping Costs: Shipping items by air is not the least expensive option but still rising in popularity as companies realize it’s sometimes the most economical option in the long run to reduce shipping costs.
- Awash With Cash: Global Shipping Companies Now Want to Fly Their Goods Too: Ocean freight companies are adding air cargo to their businesses as shippers look for a “one-stop shop” to move goods around the world.
- Transport Strikes Put Supply Chains Under Duress Again: It’s not just a potential U.S. rail strike putting supply chains at risk as labor actions in France and the UK are also expected to impact freight.
OUR PERSPECTIVE
- Different transport mode means different rules. Shipping rules and requirements differ by transportation mode. Organizations shipping DG must understand changing how goods are shipped will impact the necessary permits, documentation, packaging or labels, and even the carriers they select. It may even require additional training for employees.
- Shifting modes is especially difficult with air. While the requirements and restrictions that work for ground transport generally apply to sea as well, the complexity ramps up considerably when shipping by air. When shipping DG, you cannot simply transfer ground or sea cargo to planes because air transport is far more restrictive in terms of allowable quantities, packaging requirements, documentation and labels. Some items cannot be shipped via air at all.
- Don’t ignore the impact of compliance. Organizations need to adjust their shipping and compliance processes when moving from ground to ocean or air. Those that don’t could face an array of repercussions – from the relatively minor inconvenience of a shipment delay to the more major consequences of losing shipments to damage or shutting down operations entirely.
To learn more about Dangerous Goods software or how to establish a safer, more compliant supply chain, visit https://www.labelmaster.com.
Have questions about Dangerous Goods transport? Call the Labelmaster Regulatory Hotline at 1.800.621.5808.
Automation is the key to handling today’s supply chain challenges. But without true Dangerous Goods automation, you may be operating at a competitive disadvantage.
Integrating Labelmaster’s DGIS with your existing TMS, ERP, WMS or OMS platforms puts Dangerous Goods information in the same window as all your other shipping information. Hazmat shipments become as simple as non-regulated shipments—a seamless part of your normal workflows.
Our new eBook explains how integrating DGIS with your existing automation platforms can help your organization sustain success in today’s supply chain.
