As the temperature gradually drops, the international logistics and transportation sector needs to address the unique challenges brought about by the temperature decline. Whether it is a cargo ship crossing the ocean or a freight train traveling across the continent, attention needs to be paid to the impact of climate change on transportation timeliness, cargo safety and operation procedures.

Meteorological experts point out that even in a warm winter, sudden low temperatures, heavy snowfall and other process weather changes may occur. Such fluctuating climate conditions have a significant impact on international trade transportation.

01. Weather Risks: Predict in advance and respond scientifically

The Marine environment is complex and changeable, and winter weather factors have become natural risks that need to be taken seriously in international maritime transportation. Weather phenomena such as typhoons, heavy rain, thick fog and strong cold waves may all have a serious impact on ship navigation, cargo safety and port operations.

In winter, typhoons in the Northwest Pacific and other sea areas can still bring strong winds, huge waves and heavy rain. When ships encounter them, they may face problems such as damage to the hull and displacement of cargo. Meanwhile, the ports through which the typhoon passes will suspend operations, causing ships to be unable to berth or leave on time.

When thick fog occurs in the port and the nearby sea area, the reduced visibility will restrict the navigation and berthing operations of ships. This not only easily leads to collision accidents but also results in a decrease in the efficiency of cargo handling.

Early prediction and reasonable planning are important ways to deal with weather risks. By closely monitoring the weather forecasts released by meteorological departments and professional Marine meteorological service agencies, one can promptly grasp the weather change trends during the voyage and at the destination port.

02. Special care for temperature-sensitive goods

The drop in temperature poses greater challenges to the transportation of delicate goods. Red wine, chocolate, cosmetics, olive oil and other goods all have strict requirements for storage environment and transportation time. Take wine as an example. Its optimal storage temperature is 10℃ to 15℃. Sudden changes in temperature will directly affect its quality.

For this type of temperature-sensitive goods, temperature difference control is particularly important. When there is a large temperature difference in the forecast, it is recommended that merchants adjust the transportation time or take more strict insulation measures.

Strong winds are also a major challenge for logistics in winter. The vibrations brought by strong winds may affect precision instruments, so protective preparations should be made in advance.

In light of the characteristics of winter transportation, professional cold chain logistics service providers usually adopt comprehensive insulation measures. From insulating packaging materials to refrigerants, from temperature monitoring equipment to professional temperature control systems, every link is related to the safety of goods.

03. Winter Responses to Policy and Logistics Delays

Winter weather not only affects the transportation process but also indirectly leads to policy adjustments and logistics delays. As temperatures drop, policies in various countries may change and customs clearance processes may be prolonged. These are all challenges that international logistics needs to confront.

Port congestion may intensify in winter. Some large ports, due to their huge cargo throughput, are prone to operational delays under the influence of bad weather. Ships have to wait longer for berthing, resulting in a significant extension of the transportation cycle.

To address these challenges, it is rather important to establish an emergency response mechanism. Formulating an emergency response plan for logistics delays, clearly defining the measures to be taken and the division of responsibilities when delays occur, can reduce losses.

When logistics delays occur, maintaining close communication with shipping companies, freight forwarders, port agents, consignees and other relevant parties in a timely manner, promptly transmitting information and negotiating solutions is an effective way to deal with the challenges of winter logistics.

04. Seasonal adjustments to packaging requirements

As the weather gets cooler, the packaging standards for international logistics also need to be raised accordingly. Winter transportation needs to go through climate differences, and the packaging must meet core requirements such as being pressure-resistant, shock-resistant, moisture-proof and leak-proof.

Moisture-proofing is a key point in winter logistics packaging. International express delivery may cross different climate zones. Moisture and condensation water may cause the goods to become damp. For moisture-sensitive categories such as paper products and leather goods, additional moisture-proof measures need to be taken.

Sealing treatment is the key to moisture-proofing. Use high-strength waterproof tape and adopt the cross-sealing method to ensure that the gaps between the cartons are completely sealed, preventing rainwater and moisture from seeping in. When transporting in high-humidity areas, industrial-grade moisture-proof agents can also be placed to enhance the protective effect.

For fragile items, a strategy of "double-layer packaging + customized cushioning" should be adopted. The inner layer is fixed with custom cushioning materials, and the outer layer is made of high-strength cartons to resist compression, ensuring that the goods are not damaged during transportation.

Choosing a high-quality logistics service provider is the guarantee to deal with the challenges of international logistics in winter. High-quality logistics companies usually have mature and complete transportation capacity guarantee measures, and have alternative plans for each logistics link.

When a destination port of a country is closed due to weather conditions, professional logistics service providers can urgently adjust the shipping routes, transfer the goods to neighboring countries or regions, and then complete the logistics process through customs clearance and delivery.

Early planning is an important measure to avoid logistics risks in winter. Based on the weather forecast, book the trips or containers in advance to avoid the peak periods of bad weather and reserve buffer time for possible delays.

Through the implementation of the above measures, the stability of international logistics in cold weather will be enhanced, providing support for the smooth operation of global trade.

JIANGSU BESTLINECN MODERN LOGISTICS CO., LTD.   was founded in 2014, located in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, is a comprehensive company to provide logistics solutions for customers, its subsidiaries are: Shanghai Magnesium Jia, Changzhou McKesson, Wuxi Bestline.

JIANGSU BESTLINECN MODERN LOGISTICS CO., LTD.  services include: air and sea international freight forwarding, domestic road transport, general and bonded warehousing, ASEAN cross-border road transport, five Central Asian road cross-border transport, Sino-European road and rail transport, integrated customs clearance and inspection services.