If you are shipping significant volumes, say more than 1000 TEUs a near, or you find that your business has grown to the point that you would require a fleet of transport vehicles and storage facilities to distribute your imported goods, it may be worth your consideration to invite relevant service providers to tender for the provision of import or freight contract services. This could be for the full range of supply chain logistics services or entirely specific services customised to your particular requirements.
Import or freight contracts are typically prepared to cover an agreed period of time, be it annually, every second year, quarterly or less, depending on the current market conditions, vessel availability and rate fluctuations. The goal of the contract is to smooth operations, obtain consistent service levels and manage costs during the contract period’s seasonal peaks and lulls in trade lane availability, container demand and rates. A contract provider should also be able to leverage modal shifts between sea and air freight where viable.