Covid's impact on Overseas Shipping

Companies that offer international services got hit pretty hard when Coronavirus struck but the ones who got the short end of the stick in all of this were definitely shipping companies. Moving is rarely absolutely necessary, but without shipping, many people wouldn't have things to eat or their daily necessities. For this reason, shipping companies had to discover ways to overcome all the new difficulties Coronavirus brought with it. And luckily, the shipping industry has adapted to the “new” world in its own unique way. But what changes occurred and how did they affect us? Well, a lot of things happened, and companies had to work day-and-night to come up with solutions. Fortunately, they managed to do so, but the industry has significantly changed over the course of the pandemic and will continue to do so as long as it's necessary.

Adapting

Just like all other businesses, the shipping industry had to adapt to the new world if it wanted to survive. Obviously, some businesses struggled more than others. A lot of businesses even had to close their doors after years of hard work maintaining their businesses. Honestly, alongside small businesses, and the entertainment industry, shipping companies were among those who got hit the hardest. This wasn't only hard for shipping companies, but for clients as well. For example, those moving from the USA had very few options and most had to postpone their moves. Similarly, many individuals couldn't receive packages for months on end. Luckily, however, the shipping industry changed and adapted quickly, and now they're back to operating. Even though shipping companies are doing business, things are still not what they used to be. Nowadays things are much different and here's how.

The unfortunate halt of operations

Right after the virus struck, many shipping companies couldn't run their operations. That, unfortunately, was just the first of many unfortunate events to come. This made it extremely hard for moving companies, as well as other businesses, to order what they needed for their daily operations. Sure, no one was going to die without an Amazon lemon squeezer, but many businesses were out of commission due to shortages of product, equipment, and shipment delays all over the world. That then led to a complete panic that ruled the world for a while. Shipping companies had to become creative when it came to delivering goods. And that, in turn, has led the shipping industry to resuming operations as “normally” as possible.

Rise in Costs

An unfortunate side-effect of the change in the shipping industry was a rise in costs. Honestly, it was to be expected and unavoidable. Since there were so few flights and boats operating, international removal companies, as well as other shipping companies, had to fight for spots. The high demand then led to steamship lines and airlines increasing prices. Unfortunately, many people were struck by Coronavirus hardships, so affording new, more expensive shipping, was much harder. Today, prices continue to remain high and, unfortunately, there is no end in sight. Flights are becoming more available, but steamship lines and ports still have availability issues and equipment shortages. Things are by no means back to normal and it's very hard to say if or when they will be.

Safer routes helped the industry back on track

Another thing that shipping companies had to do was find safer routes. And those routes are still changing all the time. As the waves of outbreaks come and go, the safety of each country changes. That's why companies must keep coming up with different routes for reaching their destinations. If a country is under a lockdown and having too many new Coronavirus cases, it's likely not going to have too many incoming flights or vessels available. When that happens, shipping companies can't get their shipments through those countries. So, the shipping industry had to adapt to the “new world” and start finding new ways and paths of delivering goods. So far, they've been doing well, but work has been particularly hard and stressful for shipping companies since the beginning of the pandemic.

Companies came together

One of the ways the shipping industry overcame Coronavirus-inflicted hardships was by creating partnerships. Luckily, companies came together to overcome the challenges put forward by the virus. What that means is that airlines, steamship lines, and shipping companies decided to work together in order to make shipping a reality. Since many companies were hit financially, some of them struck deals with one another. This was a smart play by them because it allowed businesses to stay afloat financially until the danger passed. Plus, the business was much easier to conduct together. That is one of the main reasons why shipping companies bounced back so quickly after the initial fiasco.

Customers also adapted!

It's not just the companies who changed, the customers changed, too! There were times when customers would get agitated and frustrated if they didn't get their packages within days. Nowadays that's more of a rarity than a commonality. But we're mostly fine with it, are we not? But it didn't use to be that way. Luckily, we humans are good at adapting. So as the shipping industry adapted to the new world, so did we. Our packages may not arrive within days, but at least they're arriving!

What else has changed in the shipping industry?

Air and sea cargo trends in a pandemic world were nothing to write home about. But companies found different ways to rise above it all and still give us as great of a service as possible. It's true that we had to sacrifice a little, but not nearly as much as the shipping industry has. As we all know, nearly everything changed in 2020. Going outside, shopping, going to work, and other basic things are very different now. Unfortunately, the same thing goes for the moving industry. The moving and shipping industry has suffered a lot since Covid hit. Avoiding close contact with people outside of your home and maintaining physical distance is very difficult to comply with during a relocation process. Still, movers have found a way to adapt, and we should all be very grateful for that. So, the next time your package is not there on time, think of everything shipping companies must go through to get your package to you on time.

How has the moving process changed since the pandemic?

The main changes that happened in the moving industry because of a pandemic are related to the moving process itself. Regardless of whether you are moving locally, long distance, or internationally, you will have to comply with health regulations that you are implementing in other processes in your life. And that is what you will see your movers do as well. Here are the things that you will see and experience during a pandemic move:

• Avoiding in-home estimates and turning to their virtual equivalents
• Maintaining physical distancing
• Wearing face masks
• Maintaining hygiene

Help your movers maintain physical distance

Moving estimates have moved from the physical world to the virtual space. To know the cost of your international move, a moving company will typically offer to send a representative to visit your home to take a good look at your moving inventory. Naturally, you can see what the biggest problem in this approach is. Someone needs to enter your home and go through every corner of it in order to do the job. Unfortunately, nowadays this is not something that is recommendable. Of course, in some situations, it can be done. However, in most cases, movers are trying to avoid in-home estimates. Luckily in this day and age of the internet, organizing a virtual estimate is not complicated. In fact, it is almost as good as the traditional option. It may seem strange how this was not implemented before, regardless of the pandemic. Nevertheless, this is one of the positive changes to the moving industry that happened because of the pandemic. Maintaining physical distance during packing and unpacking is one of the biggest changes to the moving industry during the pandemic. One of the biggest things that we faced during this situation was maintaining physical distance from others, especially people outside your home. The recommended distance is 6 ft and that is what you will see your movers do as well.

What will you have to do before your movers arrive?

Once the movers have arrived, you can point out all your priceless and/or fragile items to the foreman. Your movers will ask you not to participate in the moving process at all. To help ensure the best packing and fastest completion, it is asked that you do not interfere with the packing process.

Wearing masks

As you will not be participating in the moving process and you will be maintaining a physical distance, wearing a mask is not something that will affect you directly. However, when it comes to movers, they will have to wear a face mask. And they are doing so throughout the moving process. Naturally, it is difficult to work while covering your nose and mouth. Not to mention that these masks need to be maintained clean and changed regularly, which can be difficult during a complex and often dirty move. Yes, doing physical work while covering your nose and mouth is difficult. But that is something that movers do to protect you and themselves. Keep that in mind when you are calculating your tips. Maintaining hygiene is something that movers do regularly, but now more often due to the pandemic, We all know that maintaining hygiene is extremely important. We knew that before the pandemic. Still, it looks like this pandemic reminded us to do it more thoroughly. And that is what your movers are implementing as well. They are using disinfecting products, cleaning all surfaces, and sanitizing their trucks and equipment. Naturally, you are not responsible for providing your movers with sanitizing products. However, you will need to provide them with access to running water. Keep that in mind before they arrive at your home.

The main goal is to keep everyone safe

As you can see there are many changes to the moving industry that happened during the pandemic. Yes, it is making movers' job more difficult, but they are doing what needs to be done to complete your relocation as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Still, the main thing is to keep you and themselves safe and covid-free.