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We all hate delays. It affects our schedule and planning and creates unforeseen problems in our daily lives. Port congestion, in itself, is a delay. Like all forms of delay, no one likes port congestion, so how to avoid this issue?

The meaning of port congestion is simple. It is the accumulation of a surplus amount of ships at one port. An amount which is so staggering that a ship arriving on such a port has to wait for hours before it has the liberty to dock. Port congestion is a serious issue. The impact and consequences of port congestion lead to delay in delivery and a disturbing system of shipment and process.

The impact of port congestion was heavily felt due to the situation of Covid-19. Last year was by no means a good time for a trade. Times were uncertain with an air of panic all around. All of this was largely due to the pandemic, which caused havoc in its wake. Many reasons contribute to port congestion. The shipment industry is dense, and with travels gradually opening again in the post-pandemic world, port congestion is likely to become an issue for many companies and organizations. When you know that there is a possibility of factors, such as port congestion, it is only wise to have a good plan to avoid it. In this article, we will be discussing some of the best methods that you can implement to avoid port congestion

1. HAVE A WELL THOUGHT OUT PLAN:

Often looked over, having a proper and well-thought-out plan is the most important step that will help you avoid port congestion. Port congestion is going to occur whether you like it or not, so the best way to avoid it is to plan. Planning involves including a proper order on how your deliveries will be made, when these deliveries will happen, and the number of people on deck. If you go head first without having a proper plan you are bound to face issues regarding port congestion. Of course, many times these situations and unforeseen circumstances are completely out of one’s hands. So, in times like these, even good planning falls short. But, that does not mean that you should debunk the idea of making a plan altogether. Plans might not help today, they might not even help tomorrow, but in the long, you will start noticing patterns that would make your plan faultless and thus help you avoid port congestion.

2. REGULARLY KEEP TABS ON NEWS ABOUT PORT CONGESTION:

What’s the best way to avoid port congestion? Always be informed about what’s going on in the news! It doesn’t matter how you get your information but being informed about port congestion in the places you deal with regularly is very important. Having a trusted employee at the location of the port can be a great way to keep yourself updated. Furthermore, regularly keeping yourself updated with the new trends and news in the shipment industry is very important to gain valuable information about port congestion and other such difficulties that you might have to face at the time of docking.

3. COMMUNICATION IS KEY:

No matter which field you are in, there is nothing more important than effective communication. The factor of communication is further emphasized in the field of shipment because communication with a few trusted people is the most beneficial way you can always be on top of any situation. When you maintain good communication, you will always be ready to face the challenges that might arise due to any unforeseen circumstances and, it will also help you stay informed and updated about port congestion in your drop-off location.

4. MAKE SURE YOUR RECEIVING FACILITY IS UP TO DATE:

Many times people forget about the importance of effective communications with the receiving facilities. People believe that once the job at their part is done, then the rest up to the others to take care of. This is a very wrong practice and should be avoided at all costs. Your receiver needs as much of your attention as the one who takes the shipments. The receiver should be well informed about the days of the arrival of your cargo, the shipment method, and the ones who are in charge of the shipment. This practice will ensure that your deliveries reach their destinations on time. It will also greatly contribute to avoiding port congestion on your part.

5. REDISTRIBUTION OF YOUR CARGO:

Another great way you can efficiently manage your cargo is by redistribution. Redistribution means instead of sending in all the cargo at once, go for an option of using various vessels and other ocean carriers to carry your cargo as well. This method will help you in many ways. Redistribution of your cargo will help in many ways. It will make sure that assets reach the destination indefinitely. Imagine you use a single vessel to carry all your shipments, and this vessel gets stuck due to port congestion, this will cause complications in your business, and all your deliveries will be late. Now, imagine the situation where you use different vessels to carry your cargo. What will happen is that, if for some reason a few of your vessels will not find a place to dock, but the other ones do. Once those are docked, the receiver can carry them and make deliveries of the ones that have arrived. This will also help lessen the burden on the receiver as he will be able to make deliveries of the cargo he has at the moment, and while he makes the initial deliveries, the rest of the deliveries can be docked at the port. This is better instead of making all the deliveries at once or not at all which occurs due to port congestion.

Port congestion is a very serious issue. It can cause many unforeseen circumstances which can be avoided by following some simple rules. At beacon logistics, we believe in the importance of timely delivery of your product. We implement a method that is flawless and has solutions for almost any issue that might arise due to port congestion. Our network is vast and dependable and is spread out across the globe. All of this is aimed at providing the best solutions for all your problems.