The Art Of Crisis Management In Freight Forwarding

The truth about freight forwarding is that crises can occur without a moment’s notice; running up hefty bills for clients, who can feel helpless at the mercy of the industry’s processes and regulations. No matter the severity, it is of utmost importance to us at Heneways that we step in where we can, not only to save our clients money, but to get their shipments where they need to be as quickly as possible. (We’d like to say we do it without breaking a sweat, but that’s not entirely true.)

To give you some perspective into these unique situations, we spoke to Larne to get the full scoop on a seemingly impossible issue that many would have shied away from. Larne is the US Director at Heneways, carrying the load of course correction when issues arise. With 15 years of experience at Heneways under his belt, he has seen it all and then some. Through trial and error, he has acquired a complex understanding of the industry, its many moving parts, as well as its challenges and the need for a pliant, proactive, problem-solving approach to said challenges.

There are many stories we could share about freight forwarding plans going awry, but this is one that really stands out.

BLC Plant Equipment Shipment Scare

If the word “scare” doesn’t tell you where this story is going, then perhaps “potential disaster” is a better fit. This particular shipment, from Johannesburg to Seattle, contained earthmoving plant equipment from BLC. After making its way to US shores, US customs flagged it for snail and soil infestation and required it to be returned to South Africa. This is standard procedure in these sorts of situations, and it would have been met with exorbitant costs for the client as well as the massive cost of revenue lost from weeks at sea.

While Heneways USA, and Larne by extension, were not directly involved as it was a prepaid shipment consigned directly to the consignee, Larne’s team was quick to jump into action and avert disaster for the client. They immediately got on the phone and started formulating a plan to help, using their intricate knowledge of port regulations to see where they could find some wiggle room for the client.

The team found a number of alternative solutions and dealt directly with US customs to get the Emergency Action Notice (EAN) successfully overturned. They also found secure storage for the shipment in the US, away from the ludicrous daily port storage costs that compound over time. If that wasn’t enough, they then arranged to have the shipment fumigated at the alternate storage facility, getting rid of the infestation at a minimal cost.

Aside from totally saving the day, which we’re sure you’ll admit is a priceless feat, Larne’s team also managed to save the client upwards of $30,000 in port storage charges, shipping line per diem demurrage charges, customs fines and other related penalty costs.

The Heneways Difference

Our capability to manage crises is deeply rooted in our decades of experience, strong connections and a shared solutions-oriented mindset. Yes, we will help you ship your goods to the right place, yes, we will help you do that on time and to budget, but we also want to ensure that you feel supported by the Heneways team from start to finish.

Needless to say, Larne and the team that worked tirelessly to solve this challenge are now considered heroes. Not all heroes wear capes. Some just have great connections, unbreakable spirit, and a “won’t take no for an answer” kind of attitude.

If you’re looking for a partner for your freight forwarding needs, one that won’t leave you high and dry when port authorities give you the boot, give us a call and let’s chat about the possibilities.