«2024 trends and challenges for logistics centers», is the topic proposed by Felipe Quinteros, CEO International Line.
 

2023 is ending and it is time to take stock. Without a doubt, it was a year of recovery and adaptation for the logistics industry in Chile. Following the challenges presented by the pandemic, we saw significant improvement in operational efficiency and adaptation to new technologies. Digitization and automation have certainly been crucial.
 

This year also highlighted the importance of resilience and flexibility in supply chains. The ability to quickly adapt to unexpected changes in the global and local market has been a key learning. Added to this are sustainability and green logistics as topics that take more prominence and require greater attention.
 

On the other hand, it is important to consider that Chile has stood out in the region for its advanced logistics infrastructure and its political and economic stability, which favors a safer business environment for investment in logistics.
 

This position is due to several factors, including significant investments in port and transportation infrastructure, a solid regulatory framework and a strategic geographical location that facilitates trade with both Asia and North America and Europe.
 

Chile's position in the Latin American context remains strong, due to its advanced infrastructure and stability, although it faces common challenges in the region in terms of technological integration and adaptation to environmental regulations.
 

For this reason, by 2024, a greater focus on sustainability is expected, with investments in greener transportation solutions; also in route optimization to reduce the carbon footprint. Digitization will continue to be a dominant trend, with increasing use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain to improve transparency and efficiency.
 

In that context, the challenges of logistics centers point to the integration of new technologies and the need to keep up to date with changing environmental regulations. Meanwhile, supply chain management in a scenario of global economic uncertainty will require strategic planning and adaptation.
 

In summary, 2023 has been a year of important learning and adaptations for the logistics industry in Chile; and 2024 is emerging as a year of consolidation of trends towards sustainability, digitalization and operational efficiency.

The Chinese New Year, a holiday of great significance in China and much of Asia, is also a critical event in the global logistics calendar. In 2024, like every year, the celebration is expected to have a substantial impact on global import operations. This period, characterized by prolonged factory closures and a slowdown in production, affects not only China but all companies that depend on Asian manufacturing and trade.
 

During Chinese New Year, factories and businesses in China typically close for at least two weeks, although disruptions can last up to a month. This closure results in significant delays in production and the supply chain, impacting importers and exporters around the world.
 

Chinese New Year 2024 is expected to be particularly challenging, due to growing global demand and the continued recovery of supply chains following previous disruptive events. Companies that rely on Chinese suppliers will need to prepare for longer delays, port congestion and increased competition for sea and air freight space.
 

Here, some tips to navigate the Chinese New Year 2024 in imports:

Advance planning: Start planning several months in advance. Secure your orders and confirm delivery times well before the festival begins.

Supplier diversification: Consider diversifying your suppliers so as not to depend exclusively on China. Explore other regions and markets to reduce risk.

Inventory Management: Increase your inventory before the holiday to meet demand during closing and delay periods.

Communication with suppliers: maintain constant and clear communication with your Chinese suppliers. Understand its deadlines and restrictions during this period.

Choice of strategic transportation partner: It is one of the most important conditions when choosing which company will be in charge of transporting your products. It must be a company that has the skills and capabilities to visualize, react and communicate in time the unforeseen events to which transportation is subject. Each error entails an associated extra cost that could sometimes leave a significant loss in the acquisition of the merchandise.

Preparing for the post-holiday: Prepare for a backlog of orders and increased production after the Chinese New Year. Coordinate logistics in advance to handle the increased flow of goods.

Finally, it is important to remember that the Chinese New Year Celebration period is the annual festival that celebrates the beginning of the new year in the traditional Chinese calendar. This time it will begin on Sunday, February 12, 2024 and will end on February 26.

When the Panama Canal did not exist, before 1914, Punta Arenas experienced its golden age in maritime transportation. Today, we could be facing a new opportunity for it to be a strategic route, because one of the infrastructures that has had the most impact on the economy is drying up.

Since 2019, as a result of an unprecedented drought, the quota of ships crossing this key link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans has been cut. It is not a minor issue, considering that almost 6% of world trade circulates there in more than 12 thousand ships that transport cargo to more than 160 countries. This translates into extra costs and delays of approximately 40 days.

Unfortunately, as a consequence of global warming, this is a phenomenon that is also being seen in other places such as Germany and China. Thus, Punta Arenas could once again be an alternative that would bring many benefits to the region and the country.

Indeed, the Strait of Magellan is an important step, but it could take on greater relevance, being an option for cargo that needs to be delivered quickly. It may be a business opening opportunity that should be taken advantage of in time.

That means working today, unifying an ecosystem protection law to respond in time to any contingency; and prepare as a country to be a reference in the world for taking care of our natural ecosystem. In addition, it can be a transversal opportunity for different industries around infrastructure, logistics, sustainability, environmental care, etc.

Now is the time to prepare, because this is not going to get better, it is surely the opposite. Magallanes is an area that must be cared for and promoted, since it is an excellent alternative route in terms of time and resources.

The early import of products for Christmas is essential for several reasons, indicates Érika Sáenz, commercial manager of International Line.

Experts agree that the earlier Christmas is imported, the better, because it allows companies to ensure they have enough inventory on hand to meet holiday demand, which tends to be high. In addition, the import process can take time, due to customs procedures, inspections and international transportation. Anticipation ensures that products are available and ready for sale before the holiday season, avoiding delays and shortages.

For an SME, meanwhile, it is essential to consider several aspects when importing products for Christmas. This includes advance demand planning, finding reliable suppliers, cost evaluation, managing customs procedures and ensuring product quality. It is also important to take into account delivery times and time margins to avoid setbacks.

Érika Sáenz, commercial manager of International Line, provides some tips for a successful process:

• Plan ahead and estimate demand.
• Establish solid relationships with suppliers.
• Evaluate costs and budget effectively.
• Know and comply with customs requirements.
• Carry out quality control of imported products.
• Monitor compliance with delivery deadlines.
• Establish a contingency plan for unforeseen events.
• Importing on time can make the difference in having a successful season, planning appropriately and effectively.

International Line celebrates 20 years, consolidating itself as one of the main Freight Forwarders in the country, going from being a small operation to handling more than 30 thousand TEUs annually and offering a comprehensive range of services in the field of international logistics.

“Remembering our humble beginnings with just five people, today we are a family that has almost 80 employees distributed in all our locations, which reflects the commitment and effort of each one of those who work at International Line,” indicates its general manager, Felipe Quinteros Boudon.

Among the notable milestones in these two decades is the opening of its office in Iquique, a significant step in its regional expansion and consolidation, as well as the opening of its ASIALINE PERÚ office, in 2008.

“At International Line, our main message is the commitment to personalized service, where people are the heart of what we do. In these years of history, we have always valued solidarity and have supported the development of both our collaborators and our clients. We believe in joint growth and in the power of solid and lasting relationships,” says Felipe Quinteros.

Technology and digitalization have been fundamental pillars in the day-to-day life of International Line, however “we never lose sight of our essence: we continue to prioritize human and personalized treatment with our customers, since we know that each shipment and each relationship is unique. ”says the manager.

The company is also looking to the future with determination. “The generational evolution of our clients, the demand for immediacy and technological advances are realities that we cannot ignore,” says Felipe Quinteros. That is why, the manager emphasizes, “we work tirelessly every day to carry out a digital transformation that not only embraces technology, but also keeps the human essence of our services alive.”

“Digitalization allows us to optimize our operations, but we never sacrifice the personalized attention that has defined us from the beginning,” says Quinteros.

Regarding its projections, the company will continue focused on its growth and constant improvement. “We are working tirelessly to expand our volumes and further deepen our services. “We are committed to staying at the forefront of the industry and offering logistics solutions that exceed our customers' expectations,” highlights the manager.

Finally, Felipe Quinteros expresses his deepest gratitude to both clients, suppliers and those who make up the International Line team, for their trust, collaboration and support throughout these 20 years. “We look to the future with excitement and anticipate more achievements, exciting challenges and enriching relationships. Together, we will face the future with determination and continue to be leaders in international logistics,” he concludes.

As a result of the growth of e-commerce, among other reasons, the logistics market has had a significant increase, having to promote an efficient supply chain, at the level of market demands and comprehensive logistics, capable of managing and coordinating all activities. related to the supply chain, from the acquisition of raw materials to final delivery to the customer. This includes transportation, storage, distribution and information management.

Thus, current challenges in logistics work include the growing demand for fast deliveries, route optimization in a complex traffic environment, real-time inventory management and adaptation to changing customs regulations. In all of which, technology plays a crucial role.

Furthermore, collaboration between different supply chain actors becomes increasingly essential to address the complex challenges of modern logistics. Furthermore, sustainability is emerging as an important factor, driving the search for more eco-friendly and resource-efficient logistics solutions. Once again, technology is present to support these important challenges.

Along the same lines, to deliver a comprehensive logistics service, a wide network of transportation partners, warehouses and customs agents is needed. In addition, it is crucial to have tracking systems and technology that allow real-time visibility and control of shipments.

Indeed, we are faced with an unappealable reality: the digitalization of logistics work is fundamental and cannot stop; On the contrary, they just have to keep moving forward. Technology has revolutionized logistics by offering solutions such as transportation management systems, online tracking platforms, data analytics for route optimization and process automation, improving efficiency and accuracy.

For this reason, the logistics industry is on a constant trajectory of digitalization and it is expected that the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics will continue to increase, which will allow a Greater automation and better data-driven decision making.

To promote equity and equality. The company, with 20 years of experience in the international transport of maritime, air, land and comprehensive logistics cargo, decided to finance the construction of modern educational facilities at the Puente Maipo school, in Bajos de Mena, in Puente Alto, known as Hacker House.

In an effort to contribute to the educational and technological development of children and young people with a lack of opportunities, International Line, a company specialized in the international transportation of maritime, air and land cargo, decided to support the 9House Foundation in the construction of its Hacker House that They seek to train and train in programming and information technology in an immersive way. This, with the aim of preparing these children and young people to face the challenges of the future and open new opportunities for them.

As part of that commitment, International Line is financing the construction of new facilities at the Puente Maipo school, owned by the Nocedal Foundation, located in the Bajos de Mena sector, in Puente Alto.

“Supporting these types of initiatives lies in our firm belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to access technology, especially from an early age, as children are the foundation of our future society. This will promote equality and social equity for future generations,” says Felipe Quinteros, general manager of International Line.

Furthermore, the executive adds: “we recognize that technological development is a door to the opportunities of tomorrow, and we must ensure that this door is open to everyone, in an inclusive and transversal way.”

The support of International Line translates into the construction of the new and modern facilities of the Hacker House at the Puente Maipo School. These facilities will be specifically designed to provide an optimal technological learning environment for minors. “We firmly believe and are convinced that, from our position, we can contribute to the sustainable and equitable advancement of society,” says Quinteros.

According to the manager of the logistics company, in Chile there is an abundance of talent and the only thing missing is united work “to enhance that talent that is found in various sectors of society, turning it into a valuable resource for the future of Chile. ”.

For International Line, the challenge now is to continue advancing together with 9House in the implementation of more educational and technological development centers. “We dream of a scenario in which, in every corner of our country, children and young people have the opportunity to cultivate their skills, leveling the terrain and creating new perspectives for future generations,” emphasizes Quinteros.

Finally, the general manager of International Line extends the invitation to other companies to join this project. “It is key that we all, from our respective positions, contribute to the development of the nation, which is a hotbed of exceptional talent. Young people represent the future, and it is our duty to contribute to their growth and development. In this case, the field of technological development will undoubtedly shape tomorrow,” he assures.

In recent years, land transportation has had a positive impact in the logistics area, although especially in the maritime transportation industry by providing an efficient and safe connection between ports and land distribution centers. This speeds up the logistics process and reduces transportation costs. The growth of both services has also allowed for a more fluid and efficient integration of supply chains.
 

Among the benefits of land transportation, for example, and its impact on the international transportation industry, are cost reduction compared to other means of transportation, the ability to transport large volumes of cargo, flexibility in delivery schedules and security in the transportation of goods. These benefits ultimately contribute considerably to greater customer satisfaction.
 

The truth is that land transportation currently generated value in the reduction of polluting gas emissions and the reduction in the delivery time of goods. This has a positive impact, both on the environment and on the overall efficiency of the logistics process.
 

Specifically, a major improvement in land transportation has been the use of advanced technologies. Geolocation systems allow companies to monitor their location, speed and fuel consumption in real time, providing them with key information to make business decisions and increase efficiency and competitiveness. Likewise, fleet and route management systems help optimize operations and reduce costs. In summary, technology improved efficiency and transparency in land transportation, strengthening the positive impact on the logistics process.
 

Finally, to ensure timely delivery, a comprehensive and excellent service is key, problems for which land transportation has important challenges, mainly around the circular economy, as well as in terms of safety, infrastructure and professional skills.