The Logistics of Logistics Ocean Freight Survival Guide with Nathan Strang
Nathan Strang and Joe Lynch discuss the challenging shipping environment and why shippers need an ocean freight survival guide. Nathan is the Director of Ocean Trade Lane Management at Flexport, the operating system for global trade.
About Nathan StrangNathan Strang is the Director of Ocean Trade Lane Management at Flexport where he actively fights global logistics chaos. In his role Nathan utilizes Flexport's global logistics performance data to define short and long term ocean operations strategies that optimize carrier and port performance. This enables Flexport to reduce customer frustration and stress by providing greater certainty in a challenged market. Nathan also serves as Flexport's ocean and intermodal operations expert, distilling complex market trends into actionable insights for Flexport's internal teams and clients. Prior to Flexport Nathan served in the United States Navy as an operation and tactics expert and strategic planner. He holds an MS in Business Leadership from the University of San Diego and a BA in International Relations from Manhattan College (NY).
About FlexportFlexport is the platform for global logistics. Companies of all sizes—from emerging brands to Fortune 500s—use Flexport technology to optimize their supply chains, and deliver for customers anywhere in the world. Flexport connects the entire ecosystem of global trade on the Flexport Platform, empowering buyers, sellers and logistics providers with the services and technology to grow and innovate.
Key Takeaways: Ocean Freight Survival Guide- Nathan Strang is the Director of Ocean Trade Lane Management at Flexport, the operating system for global trade.
- In the podcast interview, Joe and Nathan discuss the challenging shipping environment and why shippers need an ocean freight survival guide.
- The ocean freight market has unprecedented challenges caused by Covid, increased consumer spending (more imports), supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, war in Europe, fuel costs, - and seemingly a new problem every week.
- Nathan recommends that every shipper should do the following:
- Continuously assess your supply chain plan to understand volumes, transit times, assumptions, carriers, ports, and risks.
- Work with an NVO like Flexport to understand potential options that will reduce costs, transit times, and mitigate risks.
- Leverage technology and data insights from your NVO. If your NVO doesn't provide that edge, perhaps you should call Flexport.
- Flexport is an NVO or (Non-Vessel Owning Common Carrier). An NVO buys space or "slots" from a containership operator and sells them often to shippers whose freight is less than a full container load ( LCL ).
- Flexport provides customers a strategic operating model that powers more transparent, more agile, more efficient, and more profitable global supply chains.
- Flexport enables their clients and partners to simplify their supply chains by putting everything into one system.
- Flexport enables shippers to automate orders, onboard suppliers, book logistics, track cargo—even if other partners handle it.
- Flexport's single dashboard speeds workflows, enables collaboration, and provides shippers and carriers valuable insights.