Today, 41% of consumers expect their online purchases to arrive in less than 24 hours. As projections for delivery times shorten and international trade increases, manufacturers and distributors are adjusting their cross-border logistics strategies to ensure that timely delivery is a top priority. At the same time, systemic supply chain disruptions, lack of proper infrastructure and regulatory obstacles are all contributing to the complexity of managing cross-border freight transportation.
In response to these trends, businesses are increasingly turning to third-party logistics providers for help. Following are three ways in which 3PLs are optimizing cross-border distribution.
Multimodal transportation options. Given the constant flow of trade across borders, avoiding traffic congestion can be a considerable challenge. 3PLs can help combat these issues by identifying and scheduling the right service across multiple modes. They can use historic distribution and performance data to unveil pain points, gain a clear understanding of the shipper’s needs and limitations, and implement process improvements.
