Logistics Trends Moving into 2018

Everyone on earth relies on it, but most know very little about it. We’re talking about logistics, the industry that ensures people around the world are fed, clothed, and have access to the latest and greatest consumer technologies. Logistic trends have taken a drastic course shift with the rise of breakthrough technologies like 3D printing, drones and self-driven cars – so this article will take a look at three of the emerging freight and logistics trends moving into 2018, and how this will affect us here in South Africa…

The New Face of Air Freight

According to this infographic, drones are poised to alter the first and last-mile delivery phases of logistics substantially.

According to a logistics trends study conducted in the United States, 36% of respondents believe that drone deliveries will be taking place in some form by 2025.

Not only is drone delivery a great idea in big cities (to reduce carbon emissions by delivery trucks); these can also be used to deliver packages to far-flung, rural areas.

Google’s Project Wing is currently testing drones for rural deliveries in Queensland, Australia. Some experts predict that logistics companies might one day utilise drones for asset tracking, risk assessments, and even to locate missing employees.

Electric, Self-Driven Road Freight

Tesla’s recent unveiling of their electric, self-driving capable class-8 heavy duty vehicle is changing the global road freight industry as we know it.

For one, the introduction of an electric freight truck that can travel just over 800km on a 30-minute charge is poised to drastically reduce the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels. Road freight trucks guzzle copious amounts of fuel, perpetuating the global reliance on fossil fuels.

Another great benefit of the upcoming self-driven vehicle trend is that experts predict a reduction in road accidents, as well as a reduction in human fatalities caused by road accidents.

Community-based 3D Printing

In an effort to remove links in the supply chain, experts predict that manufacturing leaders are more than likely going to utilise 3D printing technologies to negate the need for shipping spare parts.

3D printers deployed at branches in every country an organisation operates will be able to store spare part printing schematics in digital format, and print these as and when required.

This will remove the need to manufacture mass quantities of parts and ship them half way across the world to where they are needed.

As one can see from the above logistics trends, the freighting industry is set to change drastically in the coming years. For more information on freight services in South Africa – feel free to contact New Horizons Freight Solutions right here!