It’s safe to assume that almost every single shipper has experienced the repercussions of the last year and a half on shipping. While the early half of 2020 saw reduced production and shipping, the last half of 2020 all the way through the current time has proven to be one of the busiest seasons of international shipping to date.

The blockage at the Seuz Canal as well as the general increase in international shipments has put undue pressure on the air shipping industry. In addition to all of that, the reduction in passenger aircrafts being utilized has forced many TSA Known Shippers to resort to cargo aircraft, essentially eliminating an entire option for international transportation from a large majority of U.S. based shippers.

The changes of the last year have had far-reaching implications on the entire shipping industry. If you’re wondering what you can expect in the coming months for air freight, here are some things you should consider:

Expect Long-Term Changes

We hate to be bearers of bad news, but the recent changes to the shipping industry don’t look as temporary as most “peak season” effects do. With the effect that COVID-19 has had on travel, the changes to the air shipping industry are looking pretty long-term.

It’s expected that we may have to wait until 2025 before we see the same travel rates as 2019, meaning traditional air shippers shouldn’t be waiting around for their luck to turn before they devise new shipping solutions for their logistics processes.

It’s also worth considering from a societal perspective the effect that normalizing virtual meetings has had on the country. Traveling out of state to visit family and friends has been the norm forever, and video has always felt like an incomplete substitute. However, 2020 has certainly changed that opinion. A big majority of the population has attested to virtual hangouts with friends and family feeling like a “complete interaction” with those out of state, and there’s no reason to believe this cultural shift wouldn’t have long-lasting implications on international travel (and thus directly an impact on international air shipping.)

Get Comfortable Being Creative

Air shipping has turned into an art nowadays. The only ones that are genuinely making progress as we see the effects of reduced passenger aircrafts, port congestion, and increased demands are those who are thinking outside the box.

Of all seasons, now is the time to start considering the options your company has for international shipping practices. Talk to a qualified freight forwarder about how you can manage your air freight and perhaps even reconsider your consolidation practices to make for a more efficient process.

Also, certain airports are significantly more congested than others, and it’s important to talk to a freight forwarder such as Interlog USA that’s working in the middle of all of it to figure out what routing options are the best for you.

If we can encourage you in any way right now, it’s this – remain adaptable and creative. Be willing to think outside the box and work with our shipping team to devise solutions that will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your current international shipping process.

Reach out to a Qualified Forwarder

The bonus of the last year is that it has illuminated the difference between ad-hoc service provider forwarders, and experienced source of value freight forwarders. It’s desperate times that call for creative solutions and the ability to adapt (we know that’s not the original phrase, but bear with us here…)

Interlog USA has based our entire business model around solving the 4 great burns of the transportation industry. If you’ve been frustrated with forwarders in the past or present and are looking for a way to alleviate the pains your currently experiencing, it’s time to start a conversation. Our team members would love to speak to you and answer any questions you may have! Please don’t be hesitant to reach out!