Agile Supply Chain

What is an Agile Supply Chain?   

An agile supply chain (also known as agile SC) refers to a flexible, responsive logistics and supply management system designed to quickly adapt to changing market demands and disruptions. 

It prioritizes the ability to quickly change routes, schedules, and operations. In the maritime, supply chain and logistics industries, this is typically in response to events such as weather, port congestion, or sanctions. An agile supply chain approach enables shipping companies to deliver goods more reliably and cost-effectively, enhancing customer satisfaction and competitiveness.

Why an Agile Supply Chain is Important 

The concept of agile SC was first introduced in the early 2000s. Traditional supply chain processes were not keeping up with the increasing number of suppliers and the need to be able to make quick changes in a constantly changing environment. 

This agile concept has gained popularity over the past few years, as the shipping industry has faced many different challenges, including Covid-19, war and resulting sanctions against Russia, labor shortages, port congestion, and bottlenecks in manufacturing and distribution centers. By not adopting a flexible and agile supply chain approach, companies run the risk of delays and not having a viable backup solution to deliver goods in a timely manner. 

The 4 Components of an Agile Supply Chain

Implementation of an agile supply chain strategy requires these elements: 

• Access to real-time data: visibility into real-time data is the basis for creating an agile supply chain. It involves collecting and analyzing data from various sources across the supply chain, including inventory levels, production output, transportation status, and customer demand patterns. Real-time data empowers organizations to make informed decisions, locate potential delays early on, and proactively adjust operations to maintain supply chain continuity.

• Complete understanding of the entire supply chain: an agile supply chain requires a deep understanding of all the interconnected processes, partners, and stakeholders. This encompasses mapping the supply chain from raw material sourcing to final product delivery, identifying potential bottlenecks, and understanding the dependencies between different stages of the chain. A holistic view allows organizations to identify opportunities for improvement, optimize resource allocation, and mitigate risks across the entire supply network.

• Ability to make and implement quick changes: to adapt and quickly respond swiftly to changing facts on the ground. Organizations must be flexible enough to make rapid adjustments in production plans, inventory levels, and transportation routes to meet the demand, or address disruptions. 

• Effective supplier management strategy: develop close partnerships with a select group of reliable suppliers. They work closely with suppliers to share information, collaborate on product development, and optimize logistics processes. This helps to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality products at competitive prices.

What are the Benefits of Agile Supply Chain?

By adopting agile supply chain strategies, organizations stand to benefit in multiple ways. 

• Enhance adaptability to disruptions by leveraging real-time data and flexible decision-making processes. Organizations can reroute shipments, adjust schedules, optimize resources to minimize disruptions, and maintain service continuity.
• Streamline collaboration and communication among all stakeholders, including shippers, carriers, ports, and logistics providers. This ensures a smoother operation, as it allows for better coordination of schedules, real-time information sharing, and proactive problem-solving.
• Improve customer satisfaction by delivering products on time, in full, and in good condition. By meeting customer expectations and providing a seamless shipping experience, maritime businesses can foster customer loyalty and gain a competitive edge.

Tools to Support an Agile Supply Chain

Organizations looking to support and implement an agile supply chain can only do so by embracing a digital transformation. The enhanced visibility and data enable maritime supply chain organizations to achieve the degree of agility needed to respond quickly to the dynamic trading environment.

An Maritime AI™ platform offers real-time tracking of cargo, allowing companies to know exactly where their goods are at any given moment. This visibility is essential when adapting to changes and rerouting shipments in real-time.  

Predictive analytics play a vital role in forecasting vessel arrival and departure times, enabling better planning and utilization of resources. By knowing the accurate ATA and ETA, organizations can streamline operations, optimize scheduling, and improve the turnaround times at ports.

Visibility into the way ports function and the speed at which they onboard, offboard, and process containers is important as well. A port and terminal insights tool uses real-time and historical data to help decision-makers determine shipping routes and transshipment locations. It helps avoid delays and bottlenecks.

Exception management is invaluable in helping shippers effectively manage disruptions. It provides real-time alerts, allowing for immediate action to rectify problems, or to implement contingency plans and maintain the flow of goods.