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While intermodal transportation is a vast category that can include many methods of shipment, rail and trucking are the means most commonly associated within the industry. Assessing the benefits of intermodal transportation for any one business will depend on metrics collected by the industry. TradeLens provides secure and consistent access to unprecedented levels of event data including first and last mile, published directly from its source.

Providing government authorities with access to upstream transport data is one of the features of TradeLens. On the platform, customs authorities have access to data related to their countries from the moment a booking is placed with a carrier. Updates on documents from different data sources and transportation milestones are shared in near real-time.

In this time of unprecedented challenge, many organizations are trying to figure out how to survive. It’s no surprise that like any difficult situation there are valuable lessons to be learned. One lesson of the past few months is that disruption has few boundaries and when the unforeseen hits, our supply chains are vulnerable. Today’s global supply chains are complex combinations of manufacturers, transportation and government regulation.

Container shipping experts know that valuable data is frequently locked in paper or unstructured documents, while clients and partners demand live, detailed updates on the precise whereabouts of their consignment, or other pertinent details. TradeLens is providing vendors a way to better support customers with secure, authenticated information with confidence and trust, not just between trade partners but with respect to cargo owners and the data shared.

The bill of lading is believed to be the most important transport document in international trade: a mainstay of the global supply chain that’s present from origin to destination and critical to customs clearance, financing and ownership of cargo. But for as much as shipping has changed over the decades, not much about the bill of lading (BL) has.

Ports and terminals are the gateway for trade. A port that is resourceful can handle cargo more efficiently, impacting the overall progression and growth of businesses and industries. But, beyond the investments in tangible assets, there is a key aspect that can be taken advantage of, the access to complete data at the right time.

Beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) — whether they are a big box store, a transnational manufacturer, or any other large-scale importer — are increasingly turning to third-parties like freight forwarders or non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) to manage their ocean freight.

For a digitized supply chain setup, such as TradeLens, understanding the role of each network member in logistics is the key to enable them with the visibility to the right data. Further, addressing concerns with regards to data safety and visibility are at the core of establishing an effective collaboration across the industry.

In recent years, there has been a consolidated effort to nail down precise definitions of Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL). Given this history, many in the shipping industry, to say nothing of their clients across the global supply chain, have sometimes struggled to differentiate between 3PL vs 4PL logistics. Here’s what you need to know to better understand the differences and determine which one is right for you.

Part of the digital growth plan for PT Salam Pacific Indonesia Lines is focused on connecting their regional supply chain business directly to the global market. To help achieve this goal the firm has joined TradeLens — part of a plan poised to enhance customer experience and allow for more efficient operations which can be translated into significant cost savings downstream.