TLME Chairman outlines the way forward for successful transport and logistics operations
During the Air Cargo session of the Future of Logistics conference, moderator Lars Jensen asked panelists whether air carriers needed to better design their processes to ensure the integrity of their cargo, particularly temperature controlled cargo.
To this, TLME President Joe Baydon replied that the air cargo supply chain was complex with many different parts and players. But more often than not, the blame for damaged or missing cargo was laid at the carriers' doorstep.
Mr Beydoun said the problem with temperature-controlled products was not new and existed long before the pandemic.
However, Mr Beydon said, the pandemic had prompted everyone in the air cargo supply chain to look at cold chains with new eyes and a new and more serious perspective. Today, laxity in maintaining the integrity of cold chains, especially for vaccines and pharma products, has become a "life threatening" issue.
Having been in the air cargo industry for a long time, Mr. Beydon said he understands that some freight forwarding and logistics companies take "short cuts" to save money and that they ease up when things go wrong with their cargo. The blame shifted from the airlines.
Mr Beydon then threw a curve ball, saying that despite freight forwarders and airlines being fully certified to carry temperature-controlled cargo, the problem lies in the training and consequent attitude of the individuals who actually handle temperature-controlled cargo. .
“It can happen to anyone in the supply chain. It could be the shipper, it could be the freight forwarder, it could be the ground handler but it's always easy to blame the airline," said Mr Beydon, who concluded: "I hope we really put ourselves first. Let's see and ask what am I doing to meet challenges and make sure I am obedient?"