A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 20

All of this has to be done with an eye toward a very open and broad work schedule. You may be called to work with only a two-hours’ notice. As with most or all government run, controlled or heavily regulated industries, however, seniority is very desirable. The longer you work at the position, the more freedom and flexibility you will be given. You can be promoted to engineer, based on seniority.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 19

The previous requirements are of those things that you do or can be trained to do. However, there are also requirements of who you are, and which cannot be easily changed or improved. Even as the train is travelling speedily along the tracks, and even as it is quite noisy when blowing the horn, the train conductor must be able to see and hear everything. He will have to be the first to see or hear vehicles or animals crossing the railway tracks. 

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 18

I am especially certain that the people of India are proud of their railways. It seems impossible to find a number or a comprehensive list of films shot at C.S.T (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as V.T. or Victoria Terminus), where a significant amount of the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire was shot. Imdb does provide a list of 1,755 films that were filmed in Mumbai. I suspect that up to half of them had scenes of C.S.T. In addition, India has the three longest railway stations in the world, and six of the top-10 longest stations.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 17

There is romance in freight, in business, in exchanging goods on the open market, in seeing that people get the things that they desire, and seeing this from almost the beginning to almost the end. This is especially true in truck driving, but perhaps less so in ships and air where captains or pilots may be more in love with the vehicle than in what they are transporting.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 16

While in the Baggage Area, he would be loading or opening containers of luggage or cargo. He would have to make certain that each and every item went to its proper destination. Much of this would be done with the use of machinery or vehicles. Sometimes, however, it would mean getting into the cargo hold physically, and manually moving or removing the cargo or luggage. Hence, the need to lift large amounts of weight.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 15 of 20

On the other hand, if you work in such conditions then you live in such conditions. If you are involved in ground services in Canada then you live in Canada and you are already familiar with the bone-chilling winters there. You would simply be exposed to such conditions a little bit more. In other words, it is simply another thing that you need to consider when pursuing such a career.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 14

However, if you do choose to have this as your long-term profession, or if you want to move up quickly through the ranks, then it is best to have more formal and specialized education. Here, I want to mention that there are specialized four-year degrees in air cargo transportation. The courses tend to focus on economics, security, management and labor. The colleges and universities that can offer such a degree can be found at DegreeDirectory.org for those in the United States, BestIndiaEdu.com for those in India, or IATA (International Air Transportation Association) for perhaps everyone.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 13

Moreover--and as with careers in trucking and shipping (but which were not discussed in the sections above)--there are other career options. In trucking and shipping, there are careers that do not require you to be with the cargo from the beginning to the end (although there can be a romance attached to having a position responsible for its beginning and its destination). Similarly, in air cargo, you can have a job at one location and simply assist in the transportation of the cargo, and ensure that it is done correctly. In such positions, workers prepare the shipments of freight for delivery aboard the jets (either passenger or dedicated cargo), and are responsible for the security of the cargo coming from overseas.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 12

Before you rush out to apply for this or a similar position, you need to know that ships’ engine rooms are hot, humid, cramped and very noisy. It is similar to working on the tarmac of an airport, although in a much more confined area. Communication is important, but in this aspect, it can be done only by hand signals, lip-reading or written directions.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 11

Thus, if you love ships then you ought to consider being a chief engineer aboard one. The engineers are also known as technical officers. They have the responsibility of keeping the ship and its machinery (both the engine and the propulsion system) working smoothly. The machinery is quite complex, and is housed in a congested and confined space.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 10

The third is that of the engine department. Licensed people would be the 1st, 2nd and 3rd assistant. Unlicensed people would be the electrician, engine cadet, oiler, pumpman, QMED (qualified member of the engine department, which can include the fireman or watertender, oiler, deck and junior engineers, electrician, pumpman and the refrigeration engineer) and the wiper.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 9

However, it can still be a long, drawn-out affair aboard a ship. Even at the end of the journey, even when you should be off the ship, you are still on the ship. Because of obligations and responsibilities and turn-around time, there is little opportunity to enjoy shore leave--at best, it would be for only a few hours. Many positions require being aboard for nine months, and then having three months off. Regardless, as in any profession, there are people who find jobs aboard ships and with crew that they like, and truly do enjoy the profession. 

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 8

The principles and practice of education for those entering the trucking profession (and described above) apply to those entering the shipping, air and railway professions. Thus, I shall not repeat that section, other than to say that you will need education for any or all professions. I do feel the need to say, though, that I had difficulty in finding a school for shipping using the Local tab at Google+ (and you may find it impossible if you live far inland). Here, I shall mention that the major shipping lines usually have their own schools, so that may be the first and best option if you are looking for a career in shipping. 

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 7

A more recent phenomenon is that of a shortage in truck drivers both in the United States and elsewhere. If you begin to type “shortage of truck drivers” at Google then Google will offer you the options of “in India”, “in Australia”, “in Canada” and other places. A report from 2006 predicted that there would be a shortage of 111,000 truck drivers in the United States by 2014. That seems to have come to fruition, according to the August 2014 news article. It has already forced companies to pay more to truck drivers in order to attract more and needed drivers. 

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 6

There are also regulations regarding licenses. In the United States, you have to have a commercial (not just a standard) drivers license. In Australia, there are five different types of licenses for various types of trucks. In the European Union, there is an even greater variety and specialization.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs Part 5

You should also learn the basics that are endemic to all cargo or transportation jobs or responsibilities. You should learn how to handle freight, loading and unloading, dock loading, learning how to drive in all types of traffic, weather and terrains, learning the various rules and regulations in virtually everything that you will do, and keeping logbooks, avoiding accidents and reporting procedures.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs, Part 4

You may also be required to attend an orientation and/or to familiarize yourself with various books or reading materials before the school classes begin. Tuition may be expensive, although certainly not as expensive as that of Harvard University. If you do want to receive scholarships, loans or other financial aid to pay for it then there are often ways, such as excelling in various standardized tests or by having already attended some college or university, to achieve that.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs, Part 3

You will have to go to a brick-and-mortar truck driving school. You can find such schools by going to the Local tab at Google+ to search for “truck driving schools” in your area. Many large trucking companies offer their own in-house training programs, or to subsidize or pay for such education. Thus, if you admire XYZ Trucking Company then you can approach them in learning how to become one of their truck drivers.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs, Part 2

On or around trains. While I was growing up in a small (at that time) community, there was a train station. Sometimes, late at night, if everything else was quiet and if I listened intently, I could clearly hear the train whistle, even though the station was more than a mile away (about two kilometers). Where it went to and how far, I never knew. I am certain that it was not a passenger train though.

A Young Person’s Guide to Transportation Jobs, Part 1

As a child, I imagined myself as a doctor. This was because my mother had given me a doctor’s costume and kit for Halloween (or perhaps it was for a very early birthday or Christmas). I did not particularly care for participating in sports but I did enjoy discussing it and imagined myself as a sports announcer. I became quite adept at chess and thought that I could earn money from playing chess, if not as a profession then as a second source of income. In a similar way, my mother wanted her children to learn how to play musical instruments to have something to fall back on (assuming that we became proficient at it). For some forgotten reason, I wanted, for a few months, to be a civil engineer. Later on, my high school Latin teacher wanted me to carry on the profession, but I wanted (at that time) to be a psychologist.

Chinese Railways, Why? Part 9 of 9

Moreover, the world is becoming a somewhat scary place. Ships have been hijacked by pirates, and a Malaysian airline has inexplicably disappeared and another one was shot down. The Bangkok Airport was shut down for several days several years ago, as with rising tensions, protests and terrorism, more airports could be blocked in the future. Of course, these few incidents are statistically nothing, but they still ought to be factors in long-term planning. The alternative, trucks, is not efficient in terms of cost and time over very long distances. 

Chinese Railways, Why? Part 8 of 9

 The bottom of the first linked article provides these potential, and other, options. One option is through several of the ASEAN nations (again, a very significant trading partner of China), taking a seemingly twisted or zigzagging journey through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and ending up in Singapore.

Chinese Railways, Why? Part 7 of 9

For landlocked areas and for when time is important (such as the transportation of produce and food), air freight transportation is needed. However, this method is hampered by volume. China’s volume is simply too high. As of 2013, China’s exports were the equivalent of USD2.21 trillion. 

Chinese Railways, Why? Part 6 of 9

For as long as they have existed, and perhaps for centuries to come, there are four ways to transport freight (until the above mentioned self-flying cargo comes about): by truck/lorry (land), by ship (sea), by plane (air) and train (land).

Chinese Railways, Why? Part 5 of 9

If they lay a third of this, or one kilometer (or 0.62 miles) each day, then the project will take three times as long, or 72 years! This time frame consists of far too many variables for them to adequately be considered. There are far too many events that could negate the worth of this project. 72 years from now, some people  may invent cargo that will fly themselves, obviating not just railway cargo, but also that of trucks/lorries, planes and ships for that purpose. 

Chinese Railways, Why? Part 4 of 9

The first linked article does indicate that there are no Chinese railway experts who are supporting this. However, I am sure that if the Chinese Premier told them to support it then they would.

Chinese Railways, Why? Part 3 of 9

These enormous natural obstacles in Alaska are actually insignificant obstacles in Canada. Although the Canadian path will be more southerly, it will be far, far longer and, because of the arctic winds, it can get as cold as, or even colder than, the Alaska portion. Furthermore, the path does seem to avoid the mountain ranges in Alaska, but it does not escape those of Canada.

Chinese Railways, Why? Part 2 of 9

If this is indeed true and if there is a railway stop there for loading and unloading cargo then this could be a great benefit for the Canadians. The biggest mysteries and the biggest questions are: Can the Chinese do this? Will they do this? And, most importantly, why will they do this?

Chinese Railways, Why? Part 1 of 9

However, the linked article is somewhat ambiguous and maybe even contradictory. The article was from the newspaper Russia Today, so it is obvious that that least some people in Russia are aware of the plans of the Chinese government. Furthermore, the article states that Wang Mengshu of the Chinese Academy of Engineering indicates that the Chinese and the Russians are already in discussions and that the Russians had been thinking of a similar plan for many years.

What is Stowage? Pt 4 of 4

Now that you know more about stowage, contact a FreightArea.com representative to find out how you can effectively and efficiently store and transport your goods.

What is Stowage? Pt 3 of 4

People who want to form human pyramids know that the heaviest participants should never be at the top. Moreover, there is an upper limit to their strength. Even the containers used in trucks, trains and ships cannot be stacked more than twelve-high.
The crates, boxes and barrels are usually of uniform size but even then, there are concerns about placement of them. There are concerns about retrieving them at the proper date and time. The warehouse personnel need to make sure that there is enough space for not only them but also for reaching them (with the forklift or other machinery).

What is Stowage? Pt 2 of 4

Airplanes use similar containers although, for flight, they are not as heavy or massive. However, passenger planes usually do not transport coal, wheat or milk. They are more often concerned about passengers' baggage. I have been told that in India, there are just three sizes of suitcases. If that is true then that makes the stowage of them more effective in transporting them within and from India. However, from what I have seen and learned worldwide is that baggage handlers throw the suitcases willy-nilly into a container. I suppose that they, like the inefficient grocery clerk, are not paid or trained well enough to know about the efficiencies of proper stowage.

What is Stowage? Pt 1 of 4

This can apply to people who have never even heard of the concept of stowage. When you purchase groceries and other products from your local market, the clerk will put your things into bag(s). If he does not do it efficiently then heavier and more massive items may crush or break other items. If he does not do it efficiently then he may use more bags than necessary. If he does not do it efficiently, then one bag may be overly heavy while another bag is very light. If he does not do efficiently then a bag may rip open because of the weight. 

What is Logistics? Pt 3 of 3

The size of the shipment: A roll of toilet paper may be very small, but if you are shipping 10,000 rolls of it then that would be a large number. Conversely, if you are shipping one elephant then that would be large in size, but small in number. How long the item for delivery will be in transit: You would think that airplanes would offer the quickest transit (and they often do) but since the warehouses are not at the airports then you have to consider the time involved in getting the freight there (usually by truck).

What is Logistics? Pt 2 of 3

There are many fields of logistics. I do not want to mention all of them, nor go into detail in the following, but some that are worth knowing are: 

Shipping Containers, Overboard! Pt 3 of 3

Even if this were followed and/or made more consistent, there may be legal loopholes. There is no legal status of containers in all cases and at all times. Are lost containers “wastes” or “wrecks”? Was the loss as a result of poor placement of the containers? Were they not fixed properly? There are so many questions and few accurate means of ascertaining the result.

What is Logistics? Pt 1 of 3

But what is logistics? It seems to be an almost scary word, conjuring up a need for a PhD or Post-Graduate degree in Stochastics (an equally scary word). However, the truth is much more friendly. Logistics is simply "the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet some requirements, for example, of customers or corporations. The logistics of physical items usually involves the integration of information flow, material handling, production, packaging, inventory, transportation, warehousing, and often security". In other words, logistics is simply how, what, where, when, and by whom a thing or things will go from Point A to Point B.

Google Takes Another Step Forward With Drone Delivery System

According to an article on theatlantic.com, in initial design phases Google decided on an unusual design called a tail sitter, a hybrid of a plane and a helicopter that takes off vertically, then rotates to a horizontal position for flying around. During delivery, it hovers and winches packages down to the ground. At the end of the tether attached to the drone, there’s a small bundle of electronics they call the “egg,” which detects that the package has hit the ground, detaches from the delivery, and is pulled back up into the body of the vehicle.

Shipping Containers, Overboard! Pt 2 of 3

I was concerned about damage to the cargo. I have seen many containers and read much about them. I am not certain if they are water-proof, however. I suspect that they are merely water-resistant. If the container is in the ocean or sea for a long period of time, then I suspect that electronics, autos, artwork, books and many other things would be effectively destroyed and unusable. 

Shipping Containers, Overboard! Pt 1 of 3

The physical magnitude of the containers is also fascinating and frightening. There are a handful of common lengths of containers: 20 feet (6.1 meters), 40 feet (12.2 meters) up through 53 feet (16.2 meters). I am not certain about the average length of a container but I believe that the 40 foot length is the most common. This average, though, is offset by the number of not only the also-common 20 foot long containers but also the longer containers. For the sake of ease and simplicity, let us do say that 40 feet is the average for containers. 

Shipper versus Freight-Forwarder Pt 2 of 2

A freight forwarder in the import-export-transportation-warehousing business does similar things. Among any other activities and responsibilities, a freight forwarder negotiates contracts, handling and transportation costs; work closely with buyers, sellers and colleagues to create optimum conditions; keeps up-to-date on rules, regulations, legislation and procedures to ensure proper operations until final delivery; and uses the latest in technology and services to keep track of the goods and to verify that proper procedures are followed.

Shipper versus Freight Forwarder Pt 1 of 2

This was the well-known slogan of an American courier services company a few years ago. If you did indeed need to have it received overnight, and if you trusted that the slogan was accurate, then you might want to enlist their courier or shipping services.

Freight Insurance Pt 3 of 3

There are a lot of differences among the various modes of transport, just as there are differences in different professions. Medical doctors have malpractice insurance whereas construction engineers would have different forms of insurance.

Freight Insurance Pt 2 of 3

People on their own can determine whether or not to take on insurance. For example, you may not want life insurance for dying in an accident if you do not have any family members or dependents who would suffer financially (in addition to emotionally) by your passing. However, in some places and some events insurance is mandatory. For example, in the United States, if you drive a car then you must have auto insurance. You may determine that you are an excellent driver and that you would never cause an accident and that you are even willing to pay money on your own if another driver runs into you. However, if you do happen to run into Mr. Smith's car while driving, then he will certainly want you to have the insurance needed to pay for any and all repairs and costs.

Freight Insurance Pt 1 of 3

What is insurance? Virtually every adult has it and virtually every adult has several forms of it. People have life insurance, medical insurance, car insurance, home-owners insurance and others. Professionals, like doctors, will have insurance tailored to them, like malpractice insurance. 

Rail Transport Through FreightArea.com

FreightArea.com is located in Turkey, the epicenter of Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the largest land mass on Earth. Turkey is the 37th-largest country in the world in size, but boasts of the 22nd-largest railway system. It has connections to Greece, Bulgaria, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and through them, to the rest of Europe and Asia, including the CIS countries (Commonwealth of Independent States—consisting of the countries from the former Soviet Union).

Freight Contracts Pt 3 of 3

Again, I am not a lawyer and you may not necessarily need to know this information. However, if you are negotiating a freight contract or are authorized to be acting on the company's behalf then it can be very helpful to keep these things in mind.

United Arab Shipping Corporation (UASC) Considers Size As Matter

United Arab Shipping Corporation (UASC) thinks it has the problem licked by introducing such economies of scale into its operations as to remain profitable with even rates that, on the face of it, appear unremunerative.

Freight Contracts Pt 2 of 3

Freight Contracts Pt 1 of 3

Of course, you do not necessarily have to know this. These are things that a lawyer would need to be aware of, and these will be a concern only if there is a disagreement or non-performance by one or more of the parties involved. I do believe that the following information is of the highest caliber, and I think that most lawyers would agree.

A Life of a Container Vessel Captain: Part 4 of 4

In every field, there is an allure for people, and if the details are not objectionable then people stay with it. This certainly applies to the life on board a cargo vessel, where the vastness of the sea and sky, the travelling, and the responsibility of a few men over a tremendous amount of cargo certainly outweighs everything else.

A Life of a Container Vessel Captain: Part 3 of 4

It is still a romantic and attractive life, though. A little-known fact is that they sometimes carry passengers, at least some of whom have blogged about their experiences. They love the experience of a swimming pool (although they acknowledge that it can be difficult to use in rough seas); the extremely comfortable cabins; the camaraderie of the staff; seeing (as captains do) the vastness of the sea; and one noted the import-export aspects of the trip.

A Life of a Container Vessel Captain: Part 2 of 4

The pay is attractive; in the U.S., the median salary for captains is almost USD 70,000, and Captain Whelan earns about GBP 60,000 for six months' work. A Canadian website says that the average salary for a ship's captain is CAD 100,000 and that the salary can be as high as CAD 150,000. Even a deckhand usually earns CAD 45,000 and can earn as much as CAD 80,000. For all, a love of the sea and lots of experience are helpful; for a ship's captain, going to a maritime academy is a must.

A Life of a Container Vessel Captain: Part 1 of 4

Why do people become container vessel captains or even enter the merchant marines? The recent film Captain Phillips certainly made the industry appear romantic, exciting and eventful and it may even inspire others to join this as a profession. However, the reasons are usually more down-to-Earth (or, perhaps more accurately, down-to-Sea).

A Life of a Container Part 3 of 3

Sometimes, though, transport containers are not transported. They stay in one place. Architects and home and business construction workers sometimes use shipping containers. Some of them can be quite elegant and beautiful, in contrast to the purely functional and bland ones that everybody sees on trucks and trains. 

A Life of a Container Part 2 of 3

An interesting fact is that, when the containers are empty, they can be placed in stacks of twelve. Since each container is almost 8 feet tall (2.38 meters), that is almost the same as a 12-story building! The end result, though, is something that can be transported by air, ship, train or truck.

A Life of a Container - Part 1 of 3

For several years, I have wondered about cranes next to tall buildings under construction, or on top of high-rises or skyscrapers. How do they get there? How do they put in those large, heavy concrete slabs to balance the crane? These cranes seem to appear magically; one day they are not there, but they are there the next day. I am sure that there is something on Youtube or Yahoo Answers about this, but I have not yet searched them. Until that time, I am left in wonder.

 

FreightArea and Port Finance International In Morocco

Morocco is well placed to capitalise on its strategic positioning between Europe and Africa. Port sector growth and international interest means it is a country on the cusp of fulfilling its development potential and establishing itself as a European gateway to Africa, especially for French speaking African markets.

Business Process Outsourcing Pt 3 of 3

A similar (but hypothetical) example is of a soft drink company. The manufacturing of soft drinks is useless unless they can move the product from the manufacturing plant to buyers. They may (or may not) have their own trucks to do this, but should they have their own railway, cargo ship and/or airplanes to transport their soft drinks? I would imagine that having their own ship would be tremendously expensive and inefficient and be a tremendous drain on their resources. To transport their product, they most likely would outsource their freight needs to an established airline, ship, railway and/or truck company. 

Business Process Outsourcing Pt 2 of 3

Yet another related term is BTO or Business Transformation Outsourcing. "This refers to the idea of having service providers contribute to the effort of transforming a business into a leaner, more dynamic, agile and flexible operation". I suppose that this has always been the ideal of BPO but with BTO it is more of a focus or goal.

Business Process Outsourcing Pt 1 of 3

Cargo Planes- Part 2 of 2

Cargo planes are fascinating not only physically but also socially or, more appropriately, economically. In just two more short years, China will overtake the United States as the largest trading nation. This will have some impact on freight shipping, if not overall then regionally. Now, an overwhelming number of shippers and freight forwarders are veering away from air transport and toward ocean transport. However, this could be just a short-term concern due to the lingering effects of a 6+ year economic downturn and its contemporaneous lower global demand for goods and higher fuel costs. 

Cargo Planes - Part 1 of 2

In construction, I am fascinated by cranes that are either at the top of skyscrapers or next to tall buildings. I never saw a crane coming together so I always wondered how it is created. I always wondered about the enormous concrete slabs that provide ballast. I am sure that there are YouTube videos showing this, but I have yet to search, find, or watch them.

A Freight Forwarder, Pt. 3 of 3

All of this makes sense because getting from Point A to Point B is not the same as getting from Point A to Point B. If you wanted to move freight from San Francisco to Timbuktu then you would most likely utilize a plane. However, the freight does not mysteriously appear in the plane in San Francisco nor dematerialize in Timbuktu, going to the purchaser.

A Freight Forwarder, Pt. 2 of 3

The FreightArea.com blog post definition goes on to mention "common carrier". A common carrier is called so only in common law countries, such as the United States (except for Louisiana and Puerto Rico), Canada (except for Quebec), United Kingdom (except for Scotland), Ireland, India (except for Goa), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and many other places (primarily small island nations).

A Freight Forwarder, Pt 1 of 3

I learn so much and I am inspired to learn even more. Recently, I came across this post defining "freight forwarder". I think that the author was referring solely to trucks or ground transportation, or perhaps to a specific aspect of freight forwarding, because what I have learned since is more general.

A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver Pt 5 of 5

If you do want to be, or are, a truck driver then you will be happy to know that you are in great demand. In the United States, there is a great shortage of truck drivers. As the economy recovers more, there will be an urgent need for the transportation of goods. In Germany, truck drivers are aging, and 40% of them will retire in the next decade. That will be an enormous number of jobs to fill, and even more so in an expanding economy.

A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver Pt 4 of 5

What the truck driver cannot control can be hazardous, but what he can control is equally so. Truck drivers almost never eat home-style food on the rood; what they eat is usually not much more (and perhaps even less) nutritious than a typical fast-food meal. The food they eat is usually very fattening, and they eat their last meal of the day just before going to sleep, interrupting proper digestion. Virtually none of them exercise (even walking is rarely done), and because of their schedules, they do not see medical doctors. An astounding 86% of the 3 million truck drivers in the United States are overweight or even obese. WebMD says that truck drivers top the list of overweight workers. 

A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver Pt 3 of 5

Technology, whether it be on airplanes, ships or trucks, has made things simpler and easier. Following a GPS navigation system is beginning to make map-reading obsolete. However, everyone still ought to understand the basics. Computers, the Internet and word processors have done away with the need for cursive writing, but you still need to know how to write. 

A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver Pt 2 of 5

Some truck drivers lease their vehicles, obtaining more independence, but then find that they work primarily to pay for the lease agreement. Working for a company, on the other hand, usually offers benefits that most other companies offer, such as 401(k) retirement plans, stock purchase plans, paid vacation and sick days, and even tuition reimbursement for new drivers, among other things.

A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver Pt 1 of 5

Like cargo ship captains (and other personnel), truck drivers can enjoy the vastness of the night sky. However, somewhat unlike the former, truck drivers experience neither the openness of the land, nor the solitude of everything around them. There is a great openness to most of the roads that truck drivers experience throughout the world, but they are interspersed with truck stops and other welcoming places where they can enjoy a (relatively) good meal and to socialize with others. The destinations (as well as departures) are often in or around cities so truck drivers see the great variety of the country around them.

Simple ways to lower your freight costs

If you’re making weekly shipments, talk to your internal and external customers and see if you can ship bi-weekly. Alternately see if your freight forwarder can consolidate your shipment with other shipments to the same destination. This allows you to leverage the lower FTL (full truck load) and FCL (full container load) rates. Using a freight broker like FreightArea is great way to get started on consolidation. Consolidating your shipments can save 15-20% on your current freight costs.

SHIPPING MADE EASY

The Philippines is a somewhat small country; its total land area (excluding coastal waters) is about that of the state of Arizona, and makes it the 73rd-largest country in the world. Its population, however, is almost 100 million people, making it the 12th-largest country in terms of population. It is an increasingly modern country with a rapidly expanding infrastructure. In the city of Cebu, you can see high-rises and other buildings being constructed everywhere, with an enormous need for steel and concrete. 

Online Reporting of Shipments

With international shipments the time zone in which the shipment originated and the time zone in which the shipment reached its final destination may vary drastically. Hence to keep track of shipments online reporting is very helpful. Online reporting is not limited to tracking shipments alone but it also helps in scheduling, cancelling or in making any other changes with regards to your shipment. 

All you need to know about Air Freight Forwarder

As an importer, exporter or transporter, you are already doing much of this. You are already receiving or sending things, often with complex terms and conditions. What you need is a mail forwarding company or, more accurately and pertinently, an air freight forwarding service. You could go to Google or Google+ to search for "freight forwarding services" but you would be inundated and overwhelmed with choices. What you really need is a "freight broker"

The urgent shipment syndrome

‘Urgent and on fire’ shipments are the worst nightmares for anyone handling logistics.  It means having 15 people across hierarchical levels, chasing the logistics guy every 15 minutes. ‘Are you sure it will get there on time?’, ‘The customer will cancel if it doesn’t get there at abc time on xyz date’. This quickly moves on to, ‘the boss is watching this closely’. Once the goods are in transit the badgering turns to ‘any update’?

What is Distressed Cargo?

Distressed cargo, since not fit for the original trade anymore, has to be sold to anyone who is willing to buy it for their own interests but almost certainly at a price considerably lower than the original price which was intended for the article.

What is the Meaning of Demurrage?

Demurrage is closely related to the word, storage. Storage is simply storage, right? Wrong! In terms of shipping, storage is a fee or charge to the shipping line by the port if the container(s) is/are not removed from the port within a free grace period offered by the port. If the grace period is not met then the charges begin, and which are passed on to the consignee/recipient. Demurrage is also a charge; it is the charge to the consignee by the shipping line if the container is not cleared and returned to a specified empty depot with the grace period offered by the shipping line.

Special Container Freight Is Not Easy

Special containers as the name suggests are containers used for special cargos. There are a variety of cargos that are classified as special cargo. Few common ones are:

How To Choose The Best Shipping Service Solution For Your Business?

With the increase in popularity of logistics brokering in the last decade, and with the emergence of companies like FreightArea.com, shipping has become easily accessible and more cost effective than ever. Once upon a time it was almost impossible for SMEs to conduct international trade due to poor logistic networks.

Freight Broker's Business Life

The primary concern for any enterprise big or small, is to make and deliver goods or services to its customers. Somewhere along the line there is a transfer of inventory. In the digital domain, this is as easy as attaching a file. For those in the brick and mortar world, the inventory is a physical entity.

Important Document - Bill Of Lading (B/L)

Bill of lading or B/L is a receipt used in the shipping industry. This receipt is the acknowledgement for the receipt of goods that are to be shipped. It is used as a means to maintain record and it may also be used for legal purposes. The receipt carries specific details of the goods that are being shipped, the name of the companies, modes of shipping and the value of the contract. Bill of lading is therefore the most important document in the shipping industry.

Changing Face of Business: Globalization

Globalization is no longer an isolated academic and sociological phenomenon. Its impact on the entire business world and its trends is far reaching and deeply rooted. Gone are the days when cultures and nations were satisfied within their own domains. They are looking to expand and intermingle.

Outsourcing Logistics Services Is Now Extremely Important!!

In running international transportation businesses and export/import companies, getting hold of dependable logistics companies is extremely important. In running your own business, it may often be necessary to worry about more pressing things in the smooth functioning of the business, and so the presence of dependable logistics companies is very important.

Choosing the Right Mode of Transport!

Choosing the right mode of transport for the business is a very crucial step for every small and medium sized industry as the difference between costs associated between them can be considerable and the definition of the “correct” choice depends on the requirement, time frame, and load of the cargo.

Less Than TruckLoad (LTL) Freights Is Something Else!

One of the most integral and important part of freight transportation business for all clients alike is the differentiated service for light cargo and heavy cargo. This is where LTL or less than truckload shipping comes into play.

Disstressed Cargo Freight Is Not Cheap!

Distressed cargo is a common term that you would come across in the shipping industry. A cargo can be deemed distressed if it falls into any of the following categories:

Importance Of Customer Service In Logistics

In every vertical, customer service plays an important role. In the world of logistics customer service is of utmost importance. As a shipper you would have a lot of questions right from the time your cargo is picked from its origin until it is delivered to its final destination.

Five Advices to SMEs for The First Time Shipping

As a first time shipper you would find the following tips very helpful.

Better To Be Safe Than Sorry At Export & Import!

The global spend on transportation of material and goods, is over $ 3 trillion. Most companies handle their logistics through 3PL providers.  The objective is to make this a seamless and painless experience.  To achieve that one needs to identify the all the players and processes and the key issues which can then be covered with due diligence.

It’s All About Logistics!

International business at its core is almost entirely dependent on the ability to meet the stringent deadlines and quality requirements while dealing with transportation of resources, goods and even exchange of the above mentioned physical entities are to rely on the logistics completely involved, that is, something which is not in the direct control of your management.

Why Small And Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) Is Important In Import/Export?

SMEs are particularly important nowadays in any economy. They are the source of a significant share of job creation in any modern day economy. It has been seen that a large share of the unemployment reduction in many countries around the world in recent times, has been due to SMEs. These companies also contribute significantly to GDP growth around the world and also ensure that there is proper flow of money across the economy. In fact, it is these SMEs that governments rely upon to boost growth in their economies.

Why Do Companies Use Online Freight Tendering A Lot?

Online tendering or freight e-tendering is the latest modus operandi to place tenders. Online freight tendering makes the process of tendering simple and cost effective. Both as a seller or buyer you will find freight e-tendering at FreightArea.com very beneficial to your business. Since the whole process is carried out online, it is relatively less time consuming.

International Trade for Small and Medium Import/Export Companies

Small and medium businesses are the backbone of a nation’s economy. Small and medium sized companies are also responsible for a large portion of exports and incidentally, they are also responsible for using imported goods.

Why Do You Need Trustable Logistics Company

With the increase in the global import and export of merchandises and the increase in the complications of inbound and outbound supply procedures, most of the businesses prefer hiring a third party to handle the logistics, which was traditionally executed within the organization itself.