How to Prepare Shipping Logistics for the Hurricane and Tropical Storm Season

Hurricanes, winter storms, and natural disasters result in both immediate and longer-term disruptions of shipping logistics to the flow of freight and goods.  Following a catastrophic event, it takes time to reorganize, reroute, and recover from the effects. When reflecting on major storms and the damage that is left behind, it brings to the forefront the need for truckers, logistics, and transportation organizations to be prepared.

Safety of Personnel and Items

The most important place to start is with the safety of everyone that is in the path of the hurricane or tropical storm.  When it becomes very clear where the wake of the storm is both sea and air start canceling as precautions to the impending danger to personnel and goods.

In the trucking industry, they look at the geographic areas that are at risk.  They then proceed to make plans, whether that is rerouting or canceling.  They take the safety of the drivers along with the impact on the businesses into consideration.

Operations Preparation

Shipping operations begin to prepare and plan once it is reported that a hurricane may hit.

Land damage is always significant and visible, however, off land effects are equally impactful.  Port closures mean delays, re-routing, losing time, and money.  It has a considerable financial impact on everyone involved.   Ocean freight is impacted immediately.

Hurricane Prep Solutions

Depending upon your business, there are a variety of preparatory solutions that may suit your supply chain needs.  Working closely with your partners will help you create the best preparation solutions.  As well as help you prepare for the next disaster.

• Insurance – Having the proper insurance is the first step in protecting your business. In addition to property coverage, look into flood, business interruption policies, and freight, and shipping insurance.  Understanding what they do not cover you for can be just as important so that you can minimize risk and cost.
• Warehouse Network – If you have warehouses or production facilities in at-risk locations, build your warehouse network to stretch beyond. Agreements with temporary storm providers or cross-dock facilities prior to a storm will make it easier when things get tough.
• Leverage Rail – Moving products and shipments away via rail can be a good option to avoid the delays that may happen with truck freight.
• Port Fluidity – Establish agreements and diversion of container deliveries to alternate ports.  That can keep your product in motion and avoiding the storm. Looking at alternate routes ahead of time if you are continually shipping to the same locations.
• Plan Ahead for Added Costs – Understanding that your budget may need alterations during storm season and planning ahead when reviewing the budget can save time.

How PPLUS Global Can Help

LTL shippers are very focused on maintaining their schedules when a hurricane is about to hit.  However, it is not always possible.  Planning and working with an expert shipping and logistics company can help you be ready for the changes in plans.  They have relationships with drivers and shippers to maintain close contact and get information firsthand.  This will mean that they can manage effectively your cargo and as efficiently as possible.  PPLUS Global understands that monitoring the weather globally can help put alternative solutions into action to give customers the “best in class” service they deserve.