Freight forwarder alliances are extensive networks of experienced freight forwarders. These alliances typically have international connections, and they span across multiple countries. Some of the world’s leading freight forwarder alliances have thousands of members and connections in up to 150+ countries.
Any individual freight forwarder who wants to get a global presence must consider joining such freight forwarder alliances. Memberships in such alliances come with the chance to communicate with reliable industry players. All members of high-quality freight forwarder alliances are well-vetted.
There’s always a sense of trust and cooperation within these alliances. If you’re an individual freight forwarder, membership in such platforms means –
- Gaining an international foothold, thanks to the alliance’s cross-country connections.
- Access to reliable peers; the ability to oversee their orders, freight forwarding operations, etc.
- Access to new project opportunities via these connections.
Freight forwarders across the globe are currently experiencing many challenges. The global freight industry is yet to recover from its pandemic-induced slumber. That’s why networking is more crucial than ever for freight forwarders. The more you network your brand (as a reliable freight forwarder), the more orders you can land.
Membership in a freight forwarder alliance gives individual freight forwarders the stamp of authority they need to attract new customers. Freight forwarders are currently charging a lot of fees for their services. But, these inflated fees are out of their control. Fuel costs, packaging costs, labor costs, etc., have all increased.
Container spot rates from/to Europe and Asia have increased by 130% in 2021. Customers won’t pay freight forwarding companies such high fees unless they prove their reliability. Membership in a top freight forwarder alliance is the proof that most customers need.
Membership in a freight forwarder alliance also comes with several other networking advantages such as –
- Exclusivity: The best freight forwarder alliances only accept one or two agents in every major shipping destination. That means when freight forwarder joins an alliance – they become the sole representative of their territory. For example, if you operate in Algiers, you’ll be the forwarder from this region within your alliance. This will immensely increase your chances of securing new project opportunities from transnational agents.
- International Presence: Some of the world’s leading freight forwarder alliances have connections in up to 190+ countries. When individual freight forwarders join such top-quality networks, they receive guidance on navigating these extensive markets. These two factors combine to give freight forwarder alliance members project opportunities from various locations.
- Digital Meetings: Freight forwarder alliances make substantial investments to provide the best online tools to their members. These tools enable freight forwarders to “digitize” their operations. With these tools, freight forwarders can eliminate a lot of manual labor from their day-to-day operations. They can focus on networking and building their status within the alliance. Many freight forwarder alliances organize digital meetings where industry professionals from across the world discuss important topics. These discussions present great opportunities for freight forwarders to learn and network with their peers.
Access to the DF directory – the client directory of the world’s leading freight forwarder network called “DF” can be life-changing. When freight forwarders become part of such alliances, they get to build strong relationships within their industry. These relationships ultimately improve the bottom lines of their companies.