Logistic Networks in Natural Disasters
Under normal
circumstances, logistics networks work independently but with interconnected
nodes. When a natural disaster occurs, each point has to adapt rapidly and it
creates challenges to maintain all the operations, it is a way to see the
strength of every network.
It is true that not
everything can be planned and there are limits to how much advance planning can
actually be done but, in most cases, every node in the logistics network has
some degree of contingency planning. Now, it depends on which region we are
talking about and which natural disaster. What they all have in common is that
fast response is always needed and that a great logistic management is key to
overcome the situation with success. Ocean carriers tend to have high level
plans in mind for riskier regions and if a natural disaster happens, they will
adapt the plan depending always on the situation and the damaged places.
In Houston’s
reality, the only centralized location for all contingency plans and updates is
the freight forwarder. This position allows to extract and share information
and, in that way they can think of the best strategy to move effectively and in
the cheapest way (and also for not wasting resources when is not needed). It
also helps them to plan a route in order to keep the cargo moving in the area
where is not devastated for the natural disaster.
Although it
is quite obvious, technology makes this process a lot easier. The data is more
structured everyday, there are meteorological computer programmes that inform
the situation 24/7 and, more importantly, which design an alternative route for
all the active shipments in case of natural disaster in just a few minutes. So,
whenever there is a disaster striking and some shipments are in the process of
being delivered, a programme defines the route, which is fastest, cheapest and
free of devastated roads or routes.
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