Freight and cargo damage pose significant financial and reputational challenges in the shipping industry. Due to the industry's complexity and diversity, exact statistics are difficult to determine, but global freight damage losses amount to billions of dollars annually. In this article, we provide key strategies to minimize the risk of freight damage. What is Freight damage? Let’s begin by defining freight damage. Freight damage refers to any harm, loss, or compromise that goods experience during...

Though cargo theft statistics vary, the global financial loss of cargo theft runs into billions of dollars each year. Moreover, in the third quarter of 2024, CargoNet recorded 776 incidents in the U.S. and Canada, a 14% increase compared to the same quarter in 2023. The states of California, Illinois, and Texas accounted for 52% of all thefts in the third quarter of 2024. News items like the following are, unfortunately, no exception. The most...

The Full Container Load (FCL) shipping market was valued at approximately USD 392.75 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 551.77 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. In this article you will learn what FCL shipping is, the differences with LCL shipping, and benefits and drawbacks of FCL shipping. FCL meaning. What is Full Container Load shipping? FCL meaning in shipping refers to Full Container Load,...

Nigeria is the fourth-largest economy in Africa and has the largest population on the continent. Because of its growing economy and population, it has become an attractive destination for foreign businesses and investors. To export products to Nigeria, a SONCAP certificate is required. In this article, we will explain what a SONCAP certificate is and how you can obtain one. What is SONCAP? The Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP) is a product...

Global trade continues to expand and growth could more than double in 2024. The world is flat as Thomas L. Friedman stated and with a single mouse click products can be purchased from the other side of the world. As a consequence less than container load shipping (LCL shipping) has become more popular and is estimated to grow 3.5% from 2024 to 2029. In this article, we'll delve into what LCL shipping is, how it...

Freight transport, especially international freights transports usually involve numerous steps and transport methods from shipping location to destination. It is common for goods to be transported by road, rail and ship before reaching their endpoint. In this complex process drayage is often a necessary step for completing the transportation process. In this blogpost we will explain the meaning of drayage and describe various types of drayage. What is drayage? What is the definition of drayage?...

Customs authorities can grant accredited businesses the title of trusted trader, which comes with several advantages. In this article, you will learn what a trusted trader is, its benefits, and how businesses can achieve this status. What is a trusted trader? A trusted trader is a business that is an accredited member of an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program. A trusted trader is therefore also called an authorized economic operator. The World Customs Organization gives...

Australian Trusted Trader is an authorized economic operator program for Australian businesses to increase border security and make cross border trade easier. In the blogpost we will elaborate on this program, the benefits and how to apply for it. What is Australian Trusted Trader (ATT)? The Australian Trusted Trader program is an initiative of the (Australian) Department of Home Affairs. It aims to reduce red tape for accredited businesses. It also aims to increase border...

Partners in Protection is a Canadian trade program which was developed in 1995. The program enhances border and trade chain security. In this article we will discuss Partners in Protection, it’s requirements and how you can apply for this program. What is Partners is Protection? Partners in Protection (PIP) is a voluntary trade program by the Canada Border Services Agency for Canadian and U.S. businesses. It is an AEO program  for improving border security and...

The term authorized economic operator (AEO) is a globally used term for organizations which are authorized by a national customs organization to perform international transports. In this blogpost will we elaborate on this subject and discuss various AEO programs around the world. What is an authorized economic operator (AEO) The World Customs Organization (WCO) defines an authorized economic operator as follows: "a party involved in the international movement of goods in whatever function that has...