Changing Sailing Times

International shipping is complex. Sailing times change regularly due to weather conditions, congestion in ports, or geopolitical developments. For companies that depend on tight schedules, an unexpected delay can have major consequences: production processes come to a standstill, customers receive their orders later, and costs increase.

The biggest problem? Often, these changes are communicated late or not at all, leaving companies to discover last-minute that their supply chain is under pressure.

Why changes often go unnoticed

The maritime sector depends on numerous parties: shipping companies, terminals, forwarders, and carriers. Without well-coordinated communication, crucial information is easily lost. Especially for companies without their own logistics department, it is almost impossible to continuously monitor all updates themselves.

We also saw this during the disruptions in the Suez Canal: companies that did not have real-time insight were surprised by sudden delays and extra costs.

How Do You Prevent Surprises in your Planning?

The key lies in transparency and proactive communication. By working with a logistics partner who continuously monitors the status of your shipments, you always know where you stand. This allows you to switch in time and use alternatives when necessary.

Many companies therefore opt for a 3PL solution that not only arranges transport but also monitors planning and communicates updates directly. This prevents surprises and keeps you in control of your supply chain.

Customs and Predictability

Another source of surprises often lies in customs clearance. Incomplete documentation can lead to delays, which cause additional problems on top of changed sailing times.

An AEO-certified partner ensures that customs procedures are faster and more reliable.

Want to know how documents are processed correctly? Read also: what do you need for a correct customs declaration.

Grip in a Busy Market

The pressure on ports and terminals continues to increase. In Rotterdam, we see that volumes are growing again, causing waiting times to increase more quickly. Companies that have real-time insight and work with proactive logistics partners are better able to respond to this pressure.

Digitization also helps to maintain control. Innovations such as the Chain of Trust in container logistics ensure safer and faster transfer of containers. This strengthens the predictability of the entire process.

Conclusion: from Surprises to Predictability

Changing sailing times are a reality in international shipping, but that doesn’t mean your planning has to be under pressure. With real-time insight, proactive communication, and a reliable partner, you can avoid surprises and maintain control of your supply chain.

At Van der Helm, we continuously monitor transports and inform our customers directly about changes. This ensures that your planning is always correct and you can focus on your core activities.