航运业继续感受到始于2022年的持续货运衰退的影响，预计这种衰退将至少持续到2024年下半年. 其实，在我们 State of the Shipping Industry Report 2024, we named it the top trend we are watching.
In this guide, we look at the reasons for the freight recession，你将继续面临的挑战，以及你可以利用的机会. 最重要的是，我们为您提供了如何在前进中导航的提示.
5 Ways To Navigate the Freight Recession
货运衰退主要是由于COVID-19大流行结束后消费者支出放缓. 正因为如此, freight carriers began to slash rates in 2023 to attract shippers, 而货运经纪人开始尽其所能弥补减少的赔偿. 另外, 去年，数千家没有实现业务多样化的航空公司开始裁员或干脆关门.
While this certainly remains a concern for everyone in the industry, freight shippers have been breathing a little more easily. 是什么让多年来需求高、运力紧张的承运人市场变成了托运人市场, giving companies more options at rates that are easier on their budget.
一些分析人士预测，到2024年下半年，经济将略有好转. But before the tables turn and the rates increase, 托运人可以使用本指南中的提示，并充分利用困难的运输情况.
1. High supply, low demand
就像我们说过的, 货运业还没有反弹，预计要到今年下半年才会反弹. That means slow consumer spending, 潜在的不稳定的燃料价格和不稳定的全球市场都在继续对货运业的承运商和托运人造成影响. 事实上, 对航运的需求仍未恢复到大流行的水平，2024年货舱供应仍然很高. 这仅仅意味着陷入困境的货运公司更愿意协商运费，以保持现有托运人的忠诚度，并获得更多业务.
你能做什么
While landing fewer purchases may be an "ouch" for your business, a slow economy can work in favor for you as a shipper. You'll benefit from lower spot rates for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments and can negotiate better contract pricing for 完整的卡车. 你可以把这些节省变成你和你的客户的优势. If your carrier is no longer in business, has sold portions of its fleet or you're unhappy with their services, take these steps to find a new carrier:
- Work with a third-party logistics (3PL) company 它拥有一个由国家、地区和本地航空公司组成的网络，这些航空公司愿意协商费率.
- Compare rates from multiple carriers. 如果知道自己面临竞争，有些公司可能愿意协商更优惠的价格.
- 研究不同承运人的货运服务选择，以确保它们为您的运输增加价值.
2. Diverse shipping modes
自经济衰退开始以来，货运公司并不是唯一一家感到手头拮据的货运公司. 海运、铁路和航空公司也有大量的空载空间. 为了省钱, some carriers started reducing the number of loads they have accepted, while others went out of business. 那些仍在营业的公司已经降低了费率，以应对货运量的减少.
你能做什么
降低价格可以使托运人更愿意使用不同的运输模式，或者混合搭配他们的选择. If freight carriers are reducing their fleets or shuttering altogether, 你可以打开空气, ocean or rail as an alternative. 特别是, since air freight prices have dropped, 你可以利用这一点，以更低的成本提供更快的运输，以吸引新客户并奖励现有客户. 使用多种模式, either separately or in a multimodal or intermodal capacity, can be a logistics challenge. 然而, 第三方物流专家可以帮助您导航运输您的货物运输到目的地的各种方法.
3. Carrier of choice status
往年, when cargo capacity was in high demand, 需要为货物提供空间的托运人必须获得承运人的“托运人选择”地位. 时过境迁, and with cargo space still in low demand due to the recession, shippers now have the advantage. "Shipper of choice" has turned into "carrier of choice.“托运人可以对他们的承运人设定更高的期望，使他们更愿意谈判费率，并提供更多的服务选择，以保持和获得新业务.
你能做什么
因为自货运行业开始衰退以来，航空公司一直在争夺货物, you have more opportunities to make service demands. Keep in mind that additional services will still come at a cost. But in a shippers' market, 货运公司可能更愿意谈判，尤其是与第三方物流公司谈判，因为他们可以从航运客户那里获得稳定的业务. Consider the following:
- 交货时间. Faster shipping can attract more customers to your business. Talk to your carrier if you need to adjust your delivery times. 如果他们不能帮你，那就和第三方物流公司合作，寻找愿意帮你的运营商.
- 白手套服务. Use this time to give your customers premium service, such as inside delivery, 拆包/组装, added security and insurance for precious commodities.
- 实时跟踪. Review your carrier's shipment tracking capabilities. 知道货物何时到达可以帮助库存控制和履行服务. Your customers will appreciate getting timely notifications, too.
- 补助费用. 航空公司 may increase their 补助费用 to compensate for lower rates. 您的第三方物流顾问可以确定这些成本，并帮助您与承运人谈判.
4. Increase in the cost of fuel prices
Fuel prices are constantly fluctuating and can erratically affect your shipping costs. 事实上, the price of diesel fluctuates every day — hourly even. 自货运衰退开始以来，燃油价格一直处于历史高位，但截至目前 January 2024 showed promising rebounds. 无论如何，没有办法预测柴油的价格是上升还是下降. 而且自货运衰退开始以来，我们已经看到了不可预测性, shippers should look for ways to account for potential increases.
你能做什么
Now would be a good time to evaluate your shipping strategy. 这里是一个开始:
- 检查你的航线，以确定是否可以采取更直接的路线.
- When poor weather conditions or construction are prevalent, calculate if shipping around those areas can ultimately save time and fuel.
- Time your shipments to minimize or avoid empty legs on return trips.
- Store your products in warehouses more proximate to your customers.
您的第三方物流专家可以通过这些场景与您一起找到最佳选择.
5. Customer service expectations
托运人与货运经纪人和第三方物流公司合作，以折扣价格接触更多的承运人. 在货运不景气的时候，货舱过剩的航空公司可能会降低运价. To make up for the difference on their end, some freight brokers may reduce the quality of service they offer.
你能做什么
与您的经纪人会面，以确保在承运人费率可能低于流行病水平的情况下，您的第三方物流提供的客户服务保持不变. If you find their services aren't top notch (regardless of price), it may be a good time to research opportunities with other partnerships.
Need assistance navigating the freight recession? 十大菠菜台子可以提供帮助!
十大菠菜台子在物流行业拥有数十年的经验，帮助成千上万的各种规模的托运人高效地移动产品. 我们也是 WWEX集团, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers. 结合, 这三家公司构成了该行业最大和最多样化的第三方物流之一, 为托运人提供顶级解决方案和财务稳定性，帮助他们取得成功. Through our full suite of shipping solutions, we service more than 48 million shipments annually, 并且拥有与几乎所有行业的各种规模的公司合作的资源和专业知识.
See how 十大菠菜台子可以提供帮助 you transform your freight shipping. If you are ready to talk to an expert, reach out for a free consultation today!