A Logistics Service Providers’ Guide to Navigating Ocean and Air Visibility Data

For international logistics service providers, visibility data is an essential part of day-to-day operations and is especially important as it relates to critical transportation modes like ocean and air freight. However, the data requirements for visibility data in ocean shipping and air freight can be quite different.

Ocean Shipping Visibility Data

Transporting containerized goods via cargo vessels across vast maritime tradelanes requires a long, accurate view. As a result, visibility data for ocean shipping must account for the lengthy transit times and various locations involved in the conveyance . This data should provide real-time updates on the location of the cargo vessel, expected arrival times, and any delays or disruptions along the way.

In addition, ocean shipping visibility data can also provide insight into the condition of the cargo, as necessary, during transit. This may include information about temperature, humidity, and any other environmental factors that could affect the cargo's quality. This information is especially important for perishable goods, such as food and pharmaceuticals, which require strict temperature control to ensure product integrity.

Air Freight Visibility Data

The use of passenger and cargo aircraft is typically faster and more expensive than its ocean counterpart. Air Freight is an ideal mode of transportation for time-sensitive or perishable goods and supply chains solutioned for speed to market clientele. To that end, visibility data for air freight is a must have in any modern supply chain solution. The data must be highly detailed, available and accurate to keep all parties informed and ready to perform at the speed necessary to move air freight.

Air freight visibility data should provide real-time updates on the status of the cargo from the moment it is loaded onto the airplane to the moment it reaches its final destination. This includes information about flight schedules, expected arrival times, and any delays or disruptions that could affect the cargo's delivery time. Additionally, air freight visibility data should also provide information about the cargo's weight, dimensions, and any other special handling requirements.

Why Visibility Data Matters to Logistics Service Providers

For logistics service providers, visibility data is critical for efficient supply chain management. By having real-time information about the location and status of goods, logistics service providers can make informed decisions about routing, inventory management, and resource allocation. This enables you to respond quickly to any disruptions or delays and ensure that goods are delivered on time and in good condition.

Aside from enabling more informed decisions and efficient operations, visibility data can also help LSPs with:

1. Better planning: With visibility data, logistics service providers can plan and schedule their operations more effectively. You can track the location of goods and estimate delivery times, allowing them to plan their routes, allocate resources, and coordinate with customers and suppliers more efficiently.
2. Improved customer service: Visibility data enables logistics service providers to provide real-time updates to their customers about the status of their shipments. This helps to improve customer satisfaction by reducing uncertainty and providing greater transparency into the delivery process.
3. Increased supply chain resilience: With visibility data, logistics service providers can quickly identify disruptions in the supply chain such as weather events, port closures, and other factors that may impact delivery times. They can then take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of these disruptions, such as rerouting shipments or adjusting delivery schedules.

Chain.io Integrates Supply Chain Visibility Data

Visibility data arrives to you through endless channels and formats. Chain.io translates this data and routes it to any file type in any location for freight execution, customer visibility, reporting, and analysis. Using our pre-built supply chain integration adaptors, we can integrate your TMS to any visibility service provider within weeks so your team can focus on what matters - serving your customers.

If you start in the next few weeks, Chain.io can integrate your TMS, internal systems, or customer systems with the third-party visibility provider of your choice. We have pre-built adapters to the industry’s leading visibility software, which means we can integrate your third-party visibility data into your TMS or native platform in as little as 2-3 weeks.

With Chain.io’s network of pre-built adapters, you can connect to the visibility provider that works best for your business processes. Regardless of the data source and file type, Chain.io’s supply chain specific integrations connect your systems in just a few weeks versus months or longer with generic iPaas solutions.

Want to learn more about implementing a visibility integration? Download our free eBook to learn how you can operationalize and integrate your visibility data to win peak season or book a demo with one of our supply chain experts.