Learn How to Get Ready for Ocean Freight RFP Season

The ocean freight negotiation period is seemingly starting early this year. With the current world and economic dynamics, changing global trade policies and an increasingly healthier market for liners, it's even more important that you have the factual data and information you need to enter into supplier negotiations.  We have put together a small survival guide with useful tips, questions to ask yourself and resources that will make sure you bring your A-game to the table when negotiating with your suppliers.

Requesting ocean freight rate bids can sometimes be a guessing game, which makes the process tedious for many. It's also time consuming and while it's something that supply chain, logistics and/or ocean freight responsible must do every year or so, it's best to be equipped with the necessary data to ensure a successful process.

Questions to Ask Yourself 

1. How do I justify a potential increase in ocean transportation costs?

2. How do my rates compare against the market ocean freight rates and my peers?

3. Am I doing good job negotiating with my supplier or where can I improve?

4. How can I show my superiors I have done or can do an even better job securing competitive contract rates?

5. Is this supplier the right one for me? 

6. Should I consider changing supplier for all or some shipping routes?

7. What's the best length of contract for certain routes?

8. Where and from which supplier can I get a competitive rate based on how the market has moved and will move? 

Things to Keep in Mind  

Assure yourself that your negotiated rates with your supplier are comparable to the current market movements and that they are competitive. Remember that getting the lowest rate isn't always what's important. Get the right rate to make sure your cargo gets loaded and  arrives where your customers' can purchase it. This is what makes the difference to your company's bottom line. 

Benchmarking and readily available market analytics is the only way you can be at ease that you have gotten the best possible rate for your ocean freight and optimized your supply chain strategy. 

You want to come to the negotiation table with current market data that you can access immediately. Static and dated rate reports are not useful enough. You need the latest information. 

Keeping an eye on the ocean container market doesn't end at the negotiation period. You need to stay on top of the market all year along as it changes so quickly and you may want to go back and renegotiate, if your terms allow.  You need visibility in your entire procurement lifecycle, all year around. 

Make informed decisions with actionable freight rate data. Save time and mitigate risks during this sea container rates bidding and negotiation season with Xeneta.