Loss of goods during transportation occurs when the carrier or the freight forwarders fails to deliver goods to the recipient at the said time and in good condition. Transport operations can be complex in their organizational logistics, and if not cautiously followed, then losses may occur, be it by air, road, rail, or water transport means. Goods, in this case, range from bulky cargo including machinery and equipment to small parcels and perishables.
Every clients’ wish is to get their goods delivered on time and in their original quality and state. With Secur-T, you can relax and enjoy your tea without worrying about losing your goods during transportation.
Loss of goods may result from mislabeling, contamination, or misidentification of the client's items. It is a result of poor handling and storage of the products during transportation. Such losses can be avoided through better management of shipment.
The type of goods being transported are the packaging method's determinants, which will be used to ensure they are free from damage. Where products are packed in insufficient quality cartons or stacking beyond their capacity, crushing will most likely occur, and goods get damaged. Failure to use pallets may result in the shifting of goods which can incur significant losses.
Wooden platforms on which products/goods may be placed could break, resulting in damage of goods. The breakage of the bottom pallet can cause damage to an entire stack of goods.
Some products are sensitive to the environment in which they are stored, such as pharmaceuticals and foods. An oversight on the provision of the appropriate conditions such as refrigeration can cause contamination. Although such goods may be successfully transported to the client, there is a significant loss due to loss of quality.
Contamination occurs as a result of both improper storage and improper packaging. For instance, moisture during the transportation of cereals may lead to the growth of fungus and aflatoxins. Foreign object contamination from the fasteners may also occur during transport.
Proper packaging of a product will offer better protection during transportation. Using firmer cartons specifically designed to withstand the shipping process's rigors will prevent damage to the goods.
Redesigning the packaging to ensure the safety of goods will reduce the loss of goods in transportation.
Wooden pallets breakage accounts for about 12.5% of losses of goods in shipping. Replacing wooden pallets with plastic ones that are tougher will eliminate losses due to platform breakage or shifting of goods during transportation. Plastic pallets are free from nails, unlike in wooden pallets where nails are a basis of the joinery, which can be a contamination source.
The use of devices that enable tracking and data collection can help in preventing product loss. Damages due to temperature lapse can be prevented by fitting the shock and acceleration sensor devices that alert the handlers when the lapses occur and prompting the necessary corrective action.
Fitted with GPS sensors, such devices help logistics managers track the location and status of pallets in transit, therefore easier identification of the shortfalls in the procedure.
Clients using road transport can request a tracking number after sending their goods using parcel service vehicles. This ensures that they can beware of their goods' specific location at all times until the cars reach the offloading zones when the client is notified.
Keeping the shipping vessels clean and dry will help in the reduction of product damages due to contamination. Shipping platforms, especially plastic pallets, should be frequently cleaned and sanitized. The plastic wraps and seals should be cleared after every shipping and well disposed of. A cleaner environment free from moisture prevents damages to food products or rusting of metallic parts of machinery.
A good account of the procedures in scheduling ensures consistency in the processes involved. For instance, such records will help track the appropriate time for servicing and maintenance of refrigeration systems of the shipping vessels.
ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems) helps in ensuring accuracy in records of the shipments. The use of iGPS shipping platforms works with the ASRS to reduce downtime, more stable loads, and reduced foreign object damage.
By adhering to these simple tips, quality improvement in the transportation process can be ensured and avoid loss and damage of goods during transportation.
