In a pre-pandemic world, operations visibility focussed on estimating where cargo was in the supply chain, and when it might arrive at its destination. Cargo was monitored and tracked but the ability to communicate the information to stakeholders was limited by siloed processes. The approach and unexpected delays to disruptions were often reactive rather than proactive, inhibiting the potential for widespread visibility.
The 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 magnified the vulnerabilities of the supply chain and highlighted how susceptible and fragile it is to disruptions. Mass panic-buying of essential products combined with global lockdowns and staff shortages affected supply and demand and the ability to move goods. During this period of turbulence and uncertainty, supply chain players lacked the real-time information needed to anticipate and respond effectively to these challenges. The pandemic intensified existing issues and made it clear that there is an urgency to address them.
As a result, today there is an emphasis on real-time access to information to support operations visibility. Shippers and other supply chain players are not just asking for visibility and communication, they are expecting it. The ability to gather, analyse, and share operational data at every point in the supply chain with the stakeholders who need it has become critical for managing potential delays and avoiding disruptions.
To support an agile and resilient supply chain through operations visibility, continuous monitoring, analysis, communication, and collaboration of cargo status among trading partners is paramount. How a supply chain player such as a terminal or shipper monitors and shares their operations data, which is heavily dependent on the effective use of technologies, will determine the visibility of operations. In turn, this supports a flexible and agile supply chain. While there are a multitude of factors that affect operations visibility, data, collaboration, and communication sit at the core.
Data
Collecting and aggregating data from multiple sources is critical for gaining insight and making informed decisions. It also helps to identify where and why bottlenecks exist. Data needs to be cleaned and verified in order to use it to maximise decision making. Terminals process an enormous volume of
goods and there are plenty of opportunities to collect and analyse data. Four of the key areas where data is collected to analyse and optimise operations include berth and vessel operations, yard management, rail operations, and gate operations.
Communication
Once the insight has been gained thanks to the data, it must be shared among stakeholders to ensure widespread visibility and operational awareness. This enables it to be used to make informed decisions and minimise disruption. Communication of data goes beyond simply sending information to other parties; the data must be reliable, communicated via the right protocol, delivered on time, and sometimes transmitted to outside parties with no contractual relationships.
CollaborationÂ
Collaboration is critical to achieving common goals. It is fundamental for improving operational efficiency and customer experiences, building trust and long-term relationships. Effective collaboration requires investment in supply chain technologies that enable all stakeholders to share processes, identify and resolve problems, and facilitate a seamless flow of goods.Â
 6 Kaleris (Jul, 2024) Navigating terminal efficiencies with affordable data insights
 7 Fintech (Aug, 2024) Supply chains and the collaboration gap: are you ready?
For further insight into the areas highlighted in this article, download our thought leadership report, The Great Divide, created in partnership with Kaleris.
