Category Archives: USA

1. The first quarter of 2024 is behind us, so we can start planning the next steps. What events and processes do you think particularly influenced the formation of current trends in the industry in the coming months? 

From my point of view, the situation in the Red Sea and the recent incident at the port of Baltimore in the USA have had a significant impact on the current market conditions, slowing down the global supply chain, thereby extending shipping times and costs. Manufacturers are less inclined to make impulsive sales decisions, fearing for their margins and, consequently, the profitability of their businesses.

The market has also slowed down in terms of production, waiting for a rebound and stabilization in these regions. Currently, transportation and visible behaviors in the logistics structure seem to be very cautious, and goods are being purchased in much smaller quantities than before. Additionally, the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine exacerbate stock market fluctuations, significantly affecting results. When transporting from the Far East, we must expect limitations that are likely to persist for many months.

2. Observing the movement in the TSL sector, which directions seem to be particularly prioritized this year, which are experiencing a renaissance, or have the potential for development in the near future?

I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t emphasize the destinations that are particularly heavily frequented by us day by day, so definitely the most priority:

Europe – USA and Canada – Europe
Europe – India – Europe
and my little pet project “Transport All-Inclusive Poland – Great Britain / Ireland – Poland” as well as the Netherlands and Belgium.

more about all-inclusive transport: uk@nwic.pl

We can definitely see the development of technologies now, such as autonomous ships and trucks, or more efficient logistics management systems using artificial intelligence, which undoubtedly contribute increasingly to the efficiency of maritime and road transport, crucial for global trade exchange. The renaissance has already happened, and I feel it’s time for new, even better but with a different approach and knowledge gained over the years. Conventional methods of transporting goods, such as conventional fuel vehicles, which are responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions, are slowly becoming obsolete, and in their place, ships powered by unconventional fuels are emerging, with more and more each day, the development of intermodal transport using railways, or even the first electric trucks. Recently, I had the opportunity to read about the newly emerging transshipment terminal in Radom, which will be a logistics center for connections with Asia, can you believe it? A new Silk Road… and managed from Poland? It used to be distant dreams, and now?

Undoubtedly, the driving force behind these changes has also been EU regulations regarding the introduction of specific standards regarding emission norms for member countries. We know specific dates such as 2030 and 2050, and I think we will gradually transition to more efficient solutions, thereby caring for the health of our planet.

3. How to find a trusted logistics company for my business, avoiding mistakes and disappointments?

Contrary to appearances, finding a high-quality logistics partner in the jungle of offers popping up literally from every place on the web is not that simple. The most important thing is to check reviews, customer opinions, industry rankings, as well as information about the experience and reputation of logistics companies. Often, you can also come across recommendations on behalf of a longtime and trusted Contractor. Another thing is significant quality certificates such as ISO 9001:2015, NVOCC, and many others, obtaining which involves appropriate adaptation of the internal infrastructure of the company, and possession gives the future beneficiary of service assurances of the safety and reliability of entrusted transports.

Check our certificates

Let’s pay attention to what we need in the context of services of a given carrier and whether we are able to condense actions enough to exclude any intermediaries prolonging the transport process from point A to point B. Sometimes we are keen on the fastest quoting, and sometimes on 24/7 contact, some like to be informed about the status of the vehicle, ship, or shipment, while others appreciate comprehensive service, without additional mailing about the status of entrusted orders but with a note about informing only in the event of unforeseen events, if they occur.

4. At New Wave International Cargo, you’ve been since May 2023. What do you think Customers value most in our company’s cooperation?

Relationships, relationships, and relationships again! At NWIC, the logistics or transport service alone is not enough. We build partnerships based on mutual respect and trust. We treat every Customer as we would like to be treated, entrusting the care of our resources. You see, it’s a bit like with a nanny for a child. There used to be a movie by Kornel Makuszyński “Awantura o Basię”, the younger generation probably doesn’t remember, but the point was that little Basia, after losing her mother, sets off on a train journey to Warsaw with a note around her neck to fulfill her mother’s last will and find the rightful caregiver (her mother’s friend). Along the way, the note is soaked in milk, which fellow passengers treat her with in the compartment, and so on and so forth.

We are a bit like that nanny who makes sure that the milk doesn’t spill on our journey and the transport documentation is always clear, and “our Basia” is the good entrusted by the Customer and must reach the designated address intact, no matter what. I think Customers appreciate most the way we try to relieve them of the excess duties, which they still have plenty of.

We don’t like “robotic” emails, phone calls, and we focus on making them feel supported by us, friends with a human approach, rather than an algorithm coldly responding to successive trade inquiries.

5. Over the past year, which assignment was the biggest challenge for you and will remain in your memory for a long time?

Oh, there were a few… depending on the destination or how complex the given assignment was – but certainly, transport from Great Britain to Malta. Primarily because it’s a rare direction, and besides, we had a lot of challenges with clearances. In the end, everything was delivered on time, we managed, and we didn’t disappoint. Moments like these make me feel fulfilled and reaffirm my belief in the career path I’ve chosen. Another of the assignments was the transport of equipment for military divers from Poland to Scotland for training purposes. Loading at the hub in Rzeszów and unloading high in the north of the British Isles, where a group of soldiers was waiting. Interestingly, after the training, we had to take all the equipment back to Rzeszów.

On the other hand, I started this year with an assignment from Wales to Italy. We dealt with both export and import clearances, so everything had to be planned so that the driver didn’t have to stop anywhere, and the delivery was made timely and very smoothly, which doesn’t always happen in this industry 😊

NWIC: Thank you for the interview!

Krzysztof Tarnas: Thank you as well, and feel free to contact me.