In the wake of soaring fuel prices, Australia’s transport industry finds itself grappling with unprecedented challenges, as the cost of fuel stubbornly sits above $2 per litre. The current predicament is exacerbated by high international oil demand coupled with a low supply, casting a shadow over the efficiency and sustainability of the transport sector.

The last time fuel prices sat at such uncomfortable levels was in March of 2022, prompting the Morrison government to implement a temporary abolition of the fuel excise. However, in the face of the current crisis, industry expert’s express reservations about the effectiveness of repeating such measures.

A wider believe in the industry is that a fuel excise cut this time around wouldn’t be efficient or helpful and may do more long-term damage when fuel prices are artificially lowered, highlighting concerns that short-term solutions could have lasting negative effects on the economy.

The transport industry, a vital cog in Australia’s economic machinery, is particularly vulnerable to the impact of skyrocketing fuel costs. Carriers, both large and small, are feeling the pinch as they navigate these turbulent waters. The increase in fuel prices not only affects the operational costs of transporting goods but also has a ripple effect on the overall cost of living for Australians.

Industry insiders are citing the global dynamics of the oil market as a significant factor behind the current surge. High international demand, combined with supply chain disruptions, has created a perfect storm, leaving carriers to grapple with an unprecedented economic challenge.

As carriers search for ways to mitigate the impact, there is a growing call for comprehensive, long-term solutions that address the root causes of the issue. Industry leaders are urging the government to explore sustainable measures that go beyond short-term fixes, emphasising the importance of strategic planning to safeguard the stability of the transport sector.

In the coming months, the nation will be closely watching how the government responds to these pressing concerns and whether a sustainable solution can be found to safeguarding the vitality of Australia’s crucial transport industry.

First Impressions

When shipping meets your customer’s expectations you are positioned well, not only to generate a returning customer, but you also create the opportunity for positive reviews on your platforms. A helpful tip is 60% of customers say a positive shipping experience will incentivise them to shop again and that’s a lot of returning customers just based on there shipping experience alone.

In the current climate of COVID lockdowns and boarder closures, poor delivery speed is a contentious topic among businesses and consumers alike. Understanding your options regarding shipping can help your business thrive through this and by utilising SEAL Logistics multi-carrier platform can give you the edge you are chasing.

Communicate shipping times

Outlining clear shipping timeframes on checkout is also another way you can manage the expectations and improve the overall customer experience. Clearly defining your delivery times in line with your carrier, informs your customer and builds loyalty.

It’s not only about the delivery, but the collection as well and when your customer gets a notification that their ordered has been collected and is on its way you create an unexpected level of service that will encourage them to come back again and again.

What about when it all goes wrong?

With the huge increase in shipping volumes, we have all experienced delays in our goods getting delivered and its imperative that when this occurs you are backed by a shipping partner that you can rely on and help support your business through the ups and downs of shipments being delayed, damaged, or even lost. You can be reassured SEAL Logistics will stick by you and be here to support through our multiple channels. Our team is based in Australia and know the industry inside and out and is way they can deliver an epic customer support to help your business.

Enquire now to find out how partnering with SEAL Logistics can help improve your customer’s journey.

However, you may find yourself getting short changed if you are not comparing all the options in the marketplace. And as your business grows and your time gets more and more precious, and shipping becomes “a cost of business”. You stop the potential of shipping costs being recovered and even in some cases becoming a profit-making tool.

This is where SEAL Logistics steps in and becomes an extension of your business with a simple shipping platform that gives your business a multi-carrier option. Based on the parcel size, location, and speed of delivery we can put the best prices forward to you in a couple of simple steps.

Switching from a single courier/transport company to a multi-carrier platform model could change the way you do business and save a whole lot of time and money. With the support of an Australian base customer support team SEAL Logistics is leading the way with service and price to help revolutionise business. Highlighted below are some of the many benefits working with SEAL Logistics and having a multi-carrier platform at your disposal could help revolutionise your business.

Rate shopping– For price and service, often courier/transport companies specialise in certain areas such as bulky freight or truck loads, whereas another courier might have better strengths in delivering small express parcels. Asking a single courier to juggle all your customers’ needs and still offer the same price for shipping is unrealistic, which is why it is important not to rely on one courier and switch to a multi-carrier shipping model.

With a multi-carrier shipping platform such as SEAL Logistics, you can compare quotes from a wide range of carriers specific to each package you send, so you can choose the best value service based on the individual requirements.

Save time – Calling around and speaking to multiple carriers can be very time consuming. Working with SEAL logistics multi-carrier platform, you can compare prices and services with arrange of Australia’s top transport companies in a matter of minutes, enabling you to make an informed decision with confidence quickly and efficiently.

SEAL Logistics helps you along the way so there is no need to wait for carriers to arrive and pickup your consignments as we take care of that for you and monitor the carriers to ensure they deliver on their promise and make shipping as convenient for you as possible.

Service flexibility – With the growth of ecommerce over the last decade and the need for higher levels of service and flexibility during the global pandemic the demand from consumers has led to more and more company’s heading online.

SEAL logistics model allows you to compare quotes on price, delivery time and product you are shipping, you can pay a little more for a speedy delivery or simply be patience to save on price.

With all this in mind a multi-carrier delivery strategy will help save time, money and keep your customers returning for more. Therefore, working with SEAL logistics, you will be able to ship with confidence and know you have a national reach to everyone, everywhere.

Yantian International Container Terminal is one of China’s busiest container ports with an annual handling volume of more than 13 million 20 foot containers.

With stricter than ever quarantine measurers put in place; more than 40 container ships were anchored in open water outside the terminal waiting up to 2 weeks to reach the port.

Top international container lines said they would be skipping some port calls to Yantian to ease the pressure, while shipping sources added that some vessels may be re-routed to other destinations.

Container freight rates from China to Europe touched a record high of $10,627 (per 40-foot container unit) over the past weeks.

Yantians temporary suspension in accepting laden container ships in May leaded to a heavy backlog in the container yard and congestion outside the port.

Yantian International Container Terminal has become a critical gateway into China with its recent expansion with around 100 vessels calling in weekly.

Seal Logistics continues to monitor the Freight situation both internationally and domestically.

With the fast rise for this demand the government has been regularly called on by not only the unions but also the public to step in and regulate the industry. With the deaths of five food delivery workers in 2020 alone should be prompting calls for regulations to make the industry safer.

SEAL Logistics has taken this onboard when looking at partnering with carriers and has decide to ensure all carriers have safety programs in place for all employees and contractors. A prime example of this is when we decide to partner with Couriers Please earlier this year. Over the past 12 months Couriers Please has seen rapid growth mainly due the pandemic-induced “click frenzy” which saw them increase their franchise network by 50%.

Despite this sudden growth Couriers Please has keep the health and safety of franchisees and drivers at the forefront of the business with a program called “Get Home Safe”. As well as enforcing high levels of cleanliness and compliance to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak, they also ensured drivers were not putting themselves at risk due to the demand of deliveries.

As an essential service, SEAL Logistics needs to have the reinsurance we will be able to continue operating through lockdowns and couriers please and the rest of our preferred carriers were able to do this for us. Thanks to the stringent safety measures that were put in place like contact-free deliveries, sanitation stations at depots and private testing whenever a potential link was identified. Like most businesses, embracing rapidly changing environments and ensuring the safety of all our partners employees, contractors and most of all our customers has set a standard for the industry for success.