Shipping

Shipping

The physical movement of goods across the world is not a new phenomenon by any means. For decades people, as well as companies, have been utilizing shipping services to facilitate the movement of these goods. Everyday people are sending a package to a friend or relative overseas, and would also expect this package to arrive in a reasonable timeframe. The same is now true on a corporate scale. Companies are now sending mass quantities of goods to thousands of locations across the globe on a daily basis. These goods are sent by sea, air and if within a continent, by rail. The actual movement of products on an international scale is a very complex process that involves many parties that are situated on both ends of the value chain. There are large amounts of information, finances and coordination required to ensure that goods arrive at their final destinations in the quickest means possible. Some of the key players in ensuring the timely delivery of goods are the various seaports that are situated at various locations worldwide. There has been a rise in global shipping volumes, and more stuff is being moved this way. Further, as a means of cost cutting, ocean carriers have been increasing the size of their vessels so they can move a larger amount of goods. This increase in vessel size has had implications for the transportation routes, and hence, the seaports that these carriers utilize. Many seaports lack the size and infrastructure to accommodate these large vessels. This has resulted in seaports increasing their size and capabilities so they can remain competitive in the global landscape. With the increase in size of the ports, there has also been an overhaul of the logistics and supply chain management systems utilized by seaports. Seaports have realized that timely unloading and reloading of containers aboard ships is crucial to ensuring the smooth operation of activities at the port. However, as seaports are becoming quicker and more efficient within their...

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