April 2024 Logistix Loop

The Red Sea crisis has garnered significant attention in recent months as a result of the challenges it has placed on the global supply chain. The Red Sea, which provides access to the southern entrance to the Suez Canal, is one of the most important and densely packed shipping channels in the world. Roughly 19,000 vessels travel between the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea each year and the Suez Canal reduces shipping distance between Asia and Europe by nearly half. About 12% of global trade, opens new tab passes through the Red Sea, including 30% of global container traffic and $1 trillion worth of goods each year, reported by Reuters.

Refrigerated shipping, or reefer shipping, is a sophisticated network of technology, infrastructure, and expertise dedicated to preserving the quality and safety of temperature-sensitive cargo. The transportation of goods in specially designed containers or cargo holds equipped with temperature-control mechanisms. These systems maintain specific temperature ranges, typically between -20°C to +30°C (-4°F to 86°F), depending on the cargo’s requirements.

Companies across the supply chain have been laser-focused on improving their visibility options over the past several years. While most companies understand that visibility paves the way for increased efficiency and better coordination throughout the lifecycle of a shipment, many leaders in the space do not yet have a solid understanding of partial versus complete visibility.