5 Necessary Skills for Maximizing Effectiveness of International Freight Forwarders

• Sep 20- 2017
• Freight Companies

Freight forwarding services depend heavily on a professional forwarder who is an intermediary between the shipper and several transportation services, including air, shipping, and trucking. International freight forwarders make sure that everyone is on the same page and everything is in place according to plan, thereby ensuring a seamless shipping process.

The top freight forwarding companies utilize the best forwarders who have years of experience, excellent skills, extensive knowledge, and a desire to keep learning. Ultimately, freight gets delivered on time and without damage, making customers happy.

What is international freight forwarding? 

International freight forwarding involves the coordination and shipment of goods from one place to another across international borders, using multiple transportation modes like air, sea, or land. International Freight forwarders handle all the logistics, including customs clearance, documentation, and cargo insurance, ensuring a smooth and efficient delivery process. Their role is crucial in optimizing shipping routes, managing risks, and minimizing costs, which is why they are trusted by businesses worldwide.

Serving as an international freight forwarder is not for everyone. However, for people who enjoy a challenge and want to provide an excellent and necessary service, forwarding offers incredible opportunities. Forwarders working for the top freight forwarding companies share many skills, but there are five in particular.

1. Reading, Writing, and Speaking – Due to the nature of work involved with freight forwarding services, a forwarder must have excellent reading, writing, and speaking skills for handling complex documents, formal reports, and people from various countries as well as customs. Clear communication is very crucial to avoid misunderstandings and it also ensures that all parties are aligned throughout the shipping process. These skills also play a key role in negotiating rates, managing contracts, and building strong relationships with global partners.
2. Coordination, Monitoring, and Time Management – In the shipping industry, not everything is predictable. Therefore, a forwarder has to adjust his or her actions in response to situations and other people’s actions. Monitoring is a significant part of a forwarder’s responsibilities, which helps with making informed decisions. Due to juggling many things simultaneously, a forwarder must be productive and organized at all times while having strong time management skills.
3. Active Listening and Critical Thinking – With active listening skills, a forwarder focuses fully on what others say, thereby comprehending the conversation. As for critical thinking, a forwarder must use logic and reasoning on the job, making it possible to come up with alternative solutions, correct conclusions, and to take innovative approaches when problems arise.
4. Knowledge – For people interested in working as international forwarders, they must know or learn about the global shipping industry, features of air, land, and sea masses, geographic locations, customs, and a host of other things. Understanding international trade laws and regulations is also essential for smooth operations. Additionally, staying updated on global economic trends can help forwarders anticipate changes that may impact shipping routes or costs.
5. Tolerance to stress, Integrity, and Dependability – As a stressful yet exciting job, a forwarder must have a lot of tolerance and handle situations calmly. Integrity is also critical, considering a forwarder works with important clients. As for dependability, this person should never give up, even when facing tough challenges. Being able to manage pressure effectively ensures that deadlines are met without compromising quality. Integrity builds trust with clients, which is vital in maintaining long-term business relationships. Lastly, a dependable forwarder can be counted on to find solutions quickly, even in unpredictable or high-pressure circumstances.

With highly-skilled forwarders at MGA International Logistics, you can always trust our international shipping services. For information or to schedule a shipping need, please call us today.

Also Read :

The Essential Guide to Freight Forwarding Services

Related Blogs –

The Essential Guide to Freight Forwarding Services
What Is the Difference Between International and Domestic Freight Forwarding?
What Makes a Freight Forwarder Company an Ideal Choice?