Introduction
Bulk shipping refers to the seamless movement of large quantities of goods across the world by air, connecting markets and fueling global trade. In this regard, an efficient logistics provider helps businesses ship bulk cargo without giving you the hassle of high overheads and repetitive manual work.
Anticipating a surge of 5%-6% in 2024, bulk shipping in global trade navigates towards considerable expansion. It involves the shipment of millions of goods around the world that helps businesses organize and control the cycle, save money, time, and inconvenience, and enhance their product reach.
An effective B2B logistics company, in this regard, can help your business manage multiple bulk consignments of inventory and ensure that your business’s inventory turnover ratio numbers are accurate.
What Are Bulk Shipments?
Bulk shipments are mass shipments of goods where large quantities are transported from one part of the world to another. It has leveraged global trade and made ecommerce business owners get the benefit of transporting bulk items at the lowest costs.
Moreover, businesses take advantage of shipping products during optimal times at an additional discount if they collaborate with a specific provider.
The role of transportation in trade includes bulk shipment costs that depend on various factors like:
- Size
- Dimensional Weight
- Shipping or Freight Class according to the density of goods, susceptibility to damage, and ease of loading and handling.
- Shipping Inventory Distance
- Inventory Management Techniques
- Bulk Shipping Solutions like last-mile delivery, container protection equipment, and shipment insurance
When to Use Bulk Shipping?
In global trade, bulk shipping is split into two main types: dry bulk and liquid bulk, and each type is handled differently.
- Dry Bulk Shipping is used for products like wood, coal, grains, and wheat. These goods can be shipped in multiple hatchways on services. Dry bulk shipping is in high demand, and it is forecasted to increase year on year. The global dry bulk demand will grow between 1.5% and 2.5% in 2023 and between 1% and 2% in 2024.
- Liquid Bulk Shipping is for consumables or free-flowing liquids, like oils and chemicals. Liquid goods also take up space; however, they weigh more than dry goods, thus the vessels should be apt enough to hold approximately 400,000 tons.
So, use bulk shipping when you have a large amount of goods to move, depending on what those goods are.
If you’re shipping big amounts of solid items like grains or coal, you’ll use dry bulk shipping. On the other hand, if you’re looking to ship large volumes of liquids like oils or chemicals, you’ll use liquid bulk shipping.
How is Bulk Shipping Processed?
Follow these basic steps to ship large quantities of goods:
Step 1: Confirm Your Orders
Identify the goods to be shipped and import all your orders using an API integration after selecting them.
Step 2: Select a Leading Air Freight Provider
Choose a foremost B2B logistics company specializing in air freight based on your specific needs. Ensure that all necessary documentation and payment requirements are met before initiating the shipping process.
Step 3 – Transport Goods to the Air Freight Facility
Prior to processing your bulk air shipment, transport the goods to the designated air freight facility. This facility is typically managed by the logistics provider, who ensures the safe storage, loading, and unloading of your goods.
Step- 4- Loading Process
When the aircraft is prepared for loading, the goods are securely placed into the cargo hold. This process is meticulously managed to maximize space utilization and ensure safety during transit.
Step 5 – Unloading Process
Finally, Upon arrival at the destination airport, the goods are unloaded with care.
Please note that while the specifics of the process may vary depending on the airport and freight carrier, the steps outlined above represent the general procedure for bulk air freight shipments.
Factors to Consider Before Bulk Shipping
You must follow these tips before you opt for bulk shipping of your goods:
Always Negotiate
Bulk shipments normally come with lucrative deals, offers, and discounts. Negotiate for the most competitive prices and get the most favorable deal.
Always Make Comparisons
Bulk shipping in global trade often attracts higher shipping prices; however, loyalty towards one brings you the best deals.
Conduct thorough due diligence before you pick the best B2B logistics company, and once you have established the best one, it is recommended to stick to it for long-term orders.
Keep Quality a Priority
You must offset monetary and time-related benefits if there are potential risks that can damage your goods. You must focus on the good quality of bulk shipping, brand reputation, and previous customer experience when selecting the best shipping solution.
Benefits of Bulk Solutions
Bulk shipping is the right approach for businesses that have identified the solutions after taking a real-time look into their business’s data and requirements. Today, several shipping solutions help you view, manage, control, and transport your inventory across boundaries. Bulk shipping helps in the following ways:
- It is a seamless solution that comes at affordable rates and an efficient B2B bulk shipping option that can eventually grow your business, cut your costs, and increase the ROI.
- You get the benefit of one dashboard and multiple carriers with automation and real-time tracking. For instance, one of the leading eCom shipping services, Shipyaari Delta, sends automated WhatsApp communications to the end customers clients to reduce RTO (Return to Origin). Its key features include order confirmation, address confirmation, contact details confirmation, the option to convert COD orders to Prepaid orders, and real-time order tracking.
Conclusion
If you are engaged in a business that frequently transports large quantities of goods, modern logistics solutions can help mitigate the traditional challenges of bulk shipping by air, enhancing efficiency and potentially offering a competitive edge in the fast-paced realm of global trade.
If you are on the lookout for a logistics enabler, Shipyaari can help. Connect with us for tailored solutions that navigate the complexities of bulk shipping, ensuring your cargo reaches its destination efficiently and reliably.