Today's business environment is characterized by dynamic changes and unpredictability. The smooth functioning of the supply chain can be disrupted by so-called "black swans," or unexpected events with a negative impact on business operations. Sudden geopolitical shifts, pandemics, and extreme weather events — in recent years, we've experienced more than enough of them. Therefore, it is crucial for responsible shippers to collaborate with logistics partners who support them in maintaining...
Ensure the Resilience of Your Supply Chain by Choosing the Right Logistics Partner
Cargo Theft. How to Minimize the Risk?
The latest TAPA report (covering data from July 2024) brings concerning information. It turns out that the number of incidents related to cargo theft in Europe is increasing, and in July, it was the highest this year. There were over 1,700 thefts, marking an almost 18% increase compared to February of this year. Trailer theft remains a significant problem that shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers must tackle. Products such as electronics, clothing, industrial raw materials,...
Best Practices for Efficient Logistics Across the English Channel
The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union has brought a series of new challenges for companies involved in the flow of goods between the UK and EU countries. Costly delays and complications can arise due to changes in customs regulations, border controls, and new administrative formalities. Although it has been several years since Brexit, its repercussions still impact the daily operations of shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers. How can logistics companies effectively...
What is Cross-Docking?
The practice of cross-docking in the logistics industry dates back to the 1930s and is now a key factor that enables the practical implementation of the Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery philosophy in full-truckload and groupage transportation. What does it involve, and why is it an attractive solution for shippers and their logistics partners? Maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs are priorities for any company participating in the global supply chain. Cross-docking allows for effective...
Wartime Fuel of Shortage Times: Wood Gas-Powered Trucks
During World War II, fuel was rationed by both the Allies and the Axis powers. The military's needs had absolute priority, but civilian transport couldn't come to a standstill because without it, the war-torn economies would grind to a halt. Someone had to deliver raw materials to factories and later transport goods from factories to stores. Workers needed transportation as well. Faced with very limited access to gasoline and diesel, temporary alternatives were sought, one of which was wood...
Horror Movies Featuring Trucks –Perfect for Halloween
For Halloween, we present two horror films that are perfect for viewers who are familiar with logistics and road transport, as the starring roles are played by trucks. Get ready for a chilling movie session. Warning: there may be minor spoilers. Duel (1971), dir. Steven Spielberg Before Steven Spielberg became the maestro of blockbuster cinema, with hits like Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park, he worked as a television director, learning the craft of filmmaking. He directed several episodes...
A Brief History of Refrigerated Transport
Without this invention, the transportation of perishable goods, such as food or medicines, over long distances would not be possible. The idea of having access to fresh vegetables, fruits, or fish in our local store would remain a dream. Today, we’ll look at the origins and development of temperature-controlled transport. Refrigerated Transport: Early Experiments of the “Ice King” and the First Refrigerator Humanity discovered long ago that storing perishable food in cool conditions helps...
BioLNG: Is It the Future of Road Transport in Europe?
The transport sector in Europe must strive to meet ambitious environmental goals set by EU regulations. The need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is a challenge that logistics companies can address on a broader scale by using zero-emission electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel cell trucks. Limitations in access to these solutions (high costs, lack of sufficiently developed infrastructure, still limited, though steadily increasing, range) mean that "transitional fuels" are gaining more interest....
Outsourcing of Logistics Services: How Can SMEs Benefit from It?
Efficient management of logistics processes is key to business success for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the European market. At a certain stage of development, every SME must ask itself the question: should it continue to handle the supply chain independently, or outsource these activities to an experienced third-party logistics (3PL) provider? Why does the latter option bring numerous benefits to small and medium-sized businesses, and what are those benefits? We...
Road Freight Transport in Europe During Extreme Heat: Risks and Mitigation Strategies
July 2024 was a record-breaking month in terms of temperature across Europe. The average temperature was significantly higher than in previous years, driven by both natural phenomena like El Niño and the ongoing increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The recurring heatwaves present a series of challenges for road freight transport, impacting both efficiency and safety. Engine Overheating Older truck models, which still make up a significant portion of the European fleet, are particularly...