The COVID-19 pandemic has played a significant role in changing logistics, with the supply chain playing a more critical role than ever before. Companies must ensure the fast, safe and uninterrupted supply of goods and services to those at risk of infection and those working in the medical field, i.e., those on the front lines of the fight against the virus, such as biotech companies developing tests and treatments for COVID-19. While responding to these unprecedented demands, companies have a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of their employees, those in the supply chain, and the broader community in which they operate while maintaining the necessary flow of products and materials consumed. Companies need to develop a rapid response package to adequately respond to current changes and strengthen operations to increase readiness to withstand future risks in the value chain. Learn how to use digital technologies and analytics to manage complex supply chains, identify ways to mitigate the impact of change, and quickly develop a tactical plan for delivering goods and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic also had a substantial impact on the environment, and in many ways, this did not manifest itself in such a positive way as it seemed at first glance. Modern experts demonstrate that the pandemic has wildlife ecosystems and damaged the environment (Lindsey et al., 2020). In response to the pandemic, governments across the continent have restricted the movement of people, resulting in a slowdown in economic activity. As a result, the crisis creates ideal conditions for increased human threats to nature due to funding cuts restrictions on the activities of environmental agencies.
The transported product can be considered a lead to high-value shipment, which means that one must pay specific attention to the security and safety of the freight. The possible modes of transport include railways, roadways, airways, and waterways; it is suggested that even several modes can suit the case. However, it should be considered that, for example, maritime transportation can easily damage the paintings (Rodrigue, n.d.). In turn, railways are cheap yet costly and demand additional handles through seas and rivers; the roadways have similar issues (Rodrigue, n.d.). In turn, air cargo has the best security measures, although it is expensive and largely affected by weather conditions. Thus, the airways can be considered the most suitable mode of transportation for valuable goods. Yet, the use of roadways is also necessary for the transportation of the goods to airports.
To guarantee the safety of the shipment transportation, several additional precautions should be made. As such, one must be sure that there are sensors that detect any intrusions into the cargo containers and prevent theft. Moreover, there should be dual drivers and tracking technology so that to keep the owners of the goods updated about the transportation. In the case of the painting, the other requirement is temperature controls, which should be provided by the shipping airlines company. Finally, it is valuable that the logistics company has all the safety guarantees documents, while the owners have the documents proving the state of their property. Furthermore, the bill of lading is necessary for any transportation to be made since it informs about the value, quantity, and other properties of the goods (Draga, n.d.). Lastly, customs invoices might inform the foreign representatives of the value of the goods, which can be transported without taxation.
References
Draga, B. (n.d.). 5 important documents for shipping freight. Web.
Lindsey, P., Allan, J., Brehony, P., Dickman, A., Robson, A., Begg, C.,… Tyrrell, P. (2020). Conserving Africa’s wildlife and wildlands through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 4(10), 1300–1310. Web.
Rodrigue, J.-P. (n.d.). Transportation modes, modal competition and modal shift. Web.