Definition A Reverse Auction is a procurement method in which logistics providers compete by lowering their prices in order to win transportation business. Unlike a traditional auction where prices increase, participants in a reverse auction submit progressively lower bids. Purpose of Reverse Auctions The objectives include: Reducing transportation costs Increasing procurement transparency Understanding market pricing Encouraging competition Improving sourcing efficiency Reve

Definition A Logistics Tender is a formal procurement process used by shippers to source transportation and logistics services from multiple providers. Companies invite logistics providers, carriers, and freight forwarders to submit quotations or proposals and then evaluate them based on cost, service quality, and operational capabilities. Purpose of a Logistics Tender The objectives of a logistics tender include: Reducing logistics costs Improving service quality Securing tr

Definition Logistics Procurement is the process of sourcing and selecting transportation, warehousing, and logistics service providers to support a company's supply chain operations. Its primary objective is to optimize logistics costs while maintaining service quality and operational reliability. Objectives of Logistics Procurement The key objectives include: Reducing logistics costs Improving service quality Securing transportation capacity Optimizing supply chain performan

Definition A Contract Bid is a logistics procurement process used to select transportation providers for a defined contract period. Contract bids are commonly used for long-term transportation requirements and typically cover multiple transportation lanes. When Contract Bids Are Used Contract bids are commonly used when: Transportation demand is ongoing Network optimization projects are conducted Multiple lanes are procured together Cost reduction initiatives are planned Bene

Definition A Spot Bid is a logistics procurement process used for one-time or short-term transportation requirements. Shippers invite multiple transportation providers to submit quotations and select the most suitable carrier based on price and service conditions. When Spot Bids Are Used Spot bids are commonly used when: Urgent shipments arise New transportation lanes are being tested Additional capacity is needed during peak seasons Specialized transportation services are re

Definition Freight Benchmarking is the process of comparing transportation costs, freight rates, and logistics performance against market data or historical results. It helps shippers evaluate whether their logistics procurement decisions are competitive and cost-effective. Purpose of Freight Benchmarking The objectives of freight benchmarking include: Understanding market freight rates Optimizing transportation costs Improving procurement strategies Validating bidding result

Definition An Award is the process of selecting and assigning transportation business to a bidder based on the results of a logistics procurement or freight bidding project. It represents the final decision made by the shipper after evaluating quotations, proposals, and service capabilities. Purpose of an Award The objectives of an award include: Selecting the best logistics partner Optimizing transportation costs Improving service quality Securing transportation capacity Mai

Definition A Bidder is a company that submits quotations, pricing, or service proposals in response to a shipper's logistics procurement or transportation bidding project. Carriers, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, and logistics providers commonly participate as bidders. Role of a Bidder Bidders are responsible for: Submitting freight rates Providing service proposals Offering transportation solutions Presenting operational capabilities Competing for transportation contracts Bidde

Definition NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) is a company that provides ocean freight transportation services without owning or operating vessels. An NVOCC purchases cargo space from ocean carriers and resells it to shippers, importers, exporters, and freight forwarders. Role of an NVOCC An NVOCC typically performs the following functions: Purchases container space from ocean carriers Arranges international ocean transportation Consolidates shipments from multiple c

Definition A Carrier is a transportation company that provides freight transportation services for shippers. In logistics procurement and freight bidding, carriers participate in RFQs and RFPs by submitting quotations and service proposals for transportation lanes. Role of a Carrier Carriers are responsible for: Freight transportation Service quality On-time delivery Cost efficiency Safety management Shipment visibility Carriers in Logistics Bidding In logistics bidding proje

Definition A Transportation Lane is a shipping route defined by an origin and destination location. In logistics procurement and freight bidding, transportation lanes are used as the basic unit for collecting quotations, comparing carriers, and awarding transportation contracts. Examples include: Tokyo to Osaka Nagoya to Fukuoka Yokohama to Sapporo Each route is treated as a separate transportation lane. Purpose of Transportation Lanes Define transportation routes clearly Com

Definition RFP (Request for Proposal) is a formal document used by shippers to request detailed business and service proposals from transportation providers or logistics companies. Unlike an RFQ, which focuses primarily on pricing, an RFP evaluates service quality, operational capability, technology, innovation, and overall value. Purpose of RFP Evaluate logistics service capabilities Compare transportation solutions Improve procurement transparency Select strategic logistics

Definition RFQ (Request for Quotation) is a formal document used by shippers to request freight rates from transportation providers for specific transportation lanes or logistics services. In logistics procurement, an RFQ allows shippers to compare pricing and service conditions from multiple carriers before selecting the most suitable supplier. Purpose of RFQ Collect competitive freight rates Compare transportation providers Benchmark market pricing Improve procurement trans

Definition Logistics bidding is a procurement process where shippers invite transportation providers to submit freight rates and service proposals for specific transportation lanes. The purpose of logistics bidding is to identify the most suitable carrier based on price, service quality, transit time, and operational capability. Benefits of Logistics Bidding Reduce transportation costs Improve pricing transparency Increase competition among carriers Enhance logistics procurem

The international air cargo forwarding ranking for Japan in April 2026 has been disclosed. Nippon Express (NX) retained the top position with 18,177 tons, up 0.9% compared to the same month last year. Kintetsu World Express (KWE) ranked second with 12,641 tons, surging 52.9%, followed by Yusen Logistics in third with 9,032 tons, up 1.7%. Nishi-Nippon Railroad (NNR) placed fourth with 4,579 tons, marking a 21.7% increase, while Hankyu Hanshin Express came fifth with 3,411 tons

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has unveiled its “2026 National Freight Strategic Plan” (NFSP) to modernize the country’s freight transportation network. Covering nearly seven million miles of roads, railways, ports, airports and waterways, the network moves more than 54 million tons of cargo worth over $68 billion daily. The five-year strategy focuses on six priorities: safety, efficiency, security, resilience, innovation and workforce development. The

Global General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) giant World Freight Company (WFC, France) has been acquired by Brookfield Asset Management (Canada) in a deal reportedly worth $1.2 billion. Former owners PAI Partners and EQT announced the sale, which is expected to close by the end of 2026. Founded in 2004, WFC operates 25 logistics brands, serving more than 300 airlines and 16,000 freight forwarders across 80 countries. Brookfield plans to invest in technology and expand WFC th

The trend in shipping rates shows an increase for the West Coast of North America (+2.6%) and the East Coast of North America (+1.3%) compared to the previous week. Conversely, rates have remained unchanged for Europe (0%) and decreased for Korea (-3.5%).

The international air cargo forwarding ranking for Japan in March 2026 has been disclosed. Nippon Express (NX) secured the top position with 18,632 tons, up 1.9% compared to the same month last year. Kintetsu World Express (KWE) ranked second with 13,440 tons, marking an increase of 11.5%, followed by Yusen Logistics in third with 9,197 tons, down 2.2%. Nishi-Nippon Railroad (NNR) placed fourth with 4,331 tons, up 10.6%, while Hankyu Hanshin Express came fifth with 3,506 tons

Airports Council International (ACI) has released its 2025 global cargo rankings, with Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) retaining first place for the 15th time since 2010, handling over five million tonnes (+2.7%). Shanghai Pudong (PVG) ranked second, followed by Anchorage (ANC) in third. Louisville (SDF) and Miami (MIA) placed fourth and fifth, both posting strong growth. Memphis (MEM) ranked sixth despite a sharp decline. Incheon (ICN) secured seventh, ahead of Doha (D