Blog

Getting to Know Your Cargo

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:39:05 +0000

Feasible. By definition this term is being able to produce a result with the “means at hand and the circumstances as they are” (Princeton, online). Often, we receive quotation requests by customers who haven’t presented the complete picture of the product supply chain to us. A perfect example is a recent request we had received to Durres, a port city in Albania. The original request came in to ship the cargo to CY Durres, which was then revised to FOT Tirana based on our input regarding our transport experience with Albania. Both destinations are certainly reasonable requests by any exporter. One of my colleagues had repeatedly asked this client for the address at destination, just to make certain the ultimate destination of the cargo was indeed Tirana. The address, however, was not provided and in the interest of customer service a freight quote was generated to the “door” in Tirana.

Based on this information, the cargo was subsequently booked with us to door Tirana. Upon sailing, we learned the ultimate destination (consignee’s address) was Delvine, an Albanian mountain city, requiring a different Greek border crossing than used for Tirana. Not only were we perplexed at this oversight by the forwarder, the consignee was just as confused at how Tirana entered into the picture. Ultimately, it was determined the forwarder looked for the largest city in the country and had assumed that must be the ultimate destination of the freight.

I bring up this example to illustrate the value of getting to know your freight and how to determine the feasibility of the transport. This forwarder ended up paying extra inland haulage costs due to their mistake. We have seen other exporters and forwarders pay extraordinary customs fines and transporting cargo across a continent to make up for the failure to collect the necessary transport details when bidding on the cargo. If these instances were isolated it would be easy to look past these cases as being outside the norm. Unfortunately we see these instances so frequently that this has become the norm and a recipe for disaster. Whether the destination is Kathmandu, Kinshasha, or Delvine; allow those who know to determine if the transport to the ultimate destination is feasible.

Before finalizing your next freight cost calculation, take some time to determine all of the details, including ultimate destination of the cargo. I’m certain this will yield dividends in return and preclude confusion and additional cost.

Kary Brown - Dir Business Systems

Recognizing the Value of Small Business

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:45:59 +0000

A growing epidemic in the maritime industry is to cater to the industry’s heavy players and allow the other (smaller) players to do business on the terms set by the big boys. Does this remind you of Reaganomics? While the trickle-down effect does produce some usable tools by small businesses, it also opens up the doors to the often imaginative ideas of the small business community? But who will listen?

As a six-sigma professional, I am constantly searching for new ways to improve our product and our bottom line. Orion Marine Corp’s client base has a significant client census comprised of small businesses. I am often humbled by the self-proprietors when they ask me the question, “Can you do this…?” In many cases, the technology is there, along with the human capital to implement such projects. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to agree to their requests when one of vendors or a sub-contractor fails to have a similar vision. When a particular idea does not fit into their business model, then most carriers will toss aside the idea for a later date. If you disagree, ask yourself these simple questions.

When did the internet begin to be used more as tool for operations versus public information and sales?
When did carriers begin to allow customer portals?
Who were the first to have access to these new details?
How many carriers attempted to charge (and some still do) for the use of these tools?

While some exceptions exist, I believe as carriers, increased listening and understanding skills should be directed toward our smaller clients. I’m not against innovation from the Fortune 500, however I do feel an open ear on Main Street can help open a path to new industry tools to simplify our product delivery.

Kary Brown - Dir Business Systems

Welcome to the Orion Marine / ConFlo Lines Blog

admin — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:49:22 +0000

First, allow me to welcome you to the Orion Marine Corp/ConFlo Lines blog. The intent of our blog is to provide you with a little insight, opinion, and perhaps a little humor based on our experiences as a leading global cargo carrier. ConFlo Lines has been a leading logistics provider, focusing on developing nations, for over 35 years. Our multi-national staff has traveled the globe to gain first-hand knowledge of local cultures. This knowledge has allowed us to be able to deliver humanitarian aid, during critical times of need, and in ways where we have been able to consult with the donor organizations to eliminate un-necessary steps in the supply-chain. Now, we are transferring our knowledge into new technologies that will allow us to service our clients with increased efficiency and greater accuracy.

We are looking forward to you hopping on board our voyage. Remember, if you must stop and think for longer than a minute, reach and contact us. Most likely, we have the answer.

Kary Brown - Dir. Business Systems