What businesses depend on shipping? Well, the short answer is: almost all of them! From most of the food we eat, to the supplies we use and even the fuel we consume, most businesses are dependent on reliable shipping in one way or another.
As such, it’s important to ensure that shipping routes and supply chains are disaster-proof as much as is possible. When the unthinkable happens, that’s when people are most in need of vital supplies that they may not be able to obtain locally. So we have to ensure that, when society temporarily falls to its knees, our shipping networks don’t fall with them.
The recent big freeze in Texas has shown the amount of suffering that can be caused when the thermometers drop far below the average and people, towns, and infrastructure struggle to keep up with the challenge.
Let’s look at some of the ways and reasons why we should safeguard our shipping in times of crisis.
Delivering Vital Goods
Harsh winters can create roads that are covered in dense blankets of snow, shut down power supply, and leave millions of people vulnerable to the elements; this when we need our shipping networks the most.
Shipping, be it by sea, land or air is responsible for large logistical networks that distribute everything from food to power to communications, fuel, and much more.
Transportation is often considered a critical infrastructure as a disruption somewhere in its chain can have a significant negative impact on the economic and social well-being of people in that region.
Ensure that your fleet is up to the task with the latest caterpillar parts, so that when the tough times come, you and your business can show up for those who most need you.
Photo by Shawn Ang on Unsplash
Preparedness
Given the potentially catastrophic humanitarian ramifications for failing to prepare for large logistical network disruptions, it’s best to ensure your fleet remains winter-proof.
Ensuring that relief materials, such as fuel, spare parts, and equipment are effectively warehoused and that labor forces are trained in emergency events can help minimize the effects of a disaster.
The hope is always to get existing networks up and working as soon as possible to minimize disruption to people’s lives, so it pays to be prepared. Your customers will thank you for it in the long run and trust will be built, resulting in greater turnovers.
Infrastructure Failure
Infrastructure failure can happen due to many factors, including poor and ineffective management, design flaws, and a failure to plan for worst-case scenarios. Making sure that your business is prepared for all eventualities can instill confidence and trust in the services you offer.
The Takeaway
The recent big freeze in Texas has shown us how quickly and easily unprecedented weather patterns can throw whole throngs of people into disarray and potentially deadly situations. Ensuring that the logistical systems that sustain people’s material well-being are as disaster-proof as possible can safeguard the unseen and often overlooked fabric of networks that sustains much of society’s necessary material needs.
