Global forwarding has never been more visible, or more misunderstood.
A few years ago, many of the challenges involved in international logistics happened behind the scenes. Unless you worked directly in shipping, freight or supply chain, delays, rerouting, port disruption and customs requirements were unlikely to be part of everyday business conversation.
That has changed. Supply chain disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, rising freight costs and changing trade routes have pushed global logistics firmly into the spotlight. More businesses now understand that events on the other side of the world can affect how quickly goods move, how much they cost to ship and which routes are available.
At the same time, customer expectations have moved in the opposite direction. Businesses want quicker answers, clearer updates, faster deliveries and more certainty across the supply chain. The result is a growing gap between how simple customers need the process to feel, and how complex global forwarding has become.
That is where Peters & May Forwarding adds value.
Our role is to manage that complexity on behalf of our clients. We coordinate across carriers, hauliers, ports, customs authorities, warehouses, agents and end customers to keep cargo moving as smoothly as possible, even when conditions change.
“Forwarding today is more than just about finding a route from A to B,” says Paul Everley, Head of Global Forwarding at Peters & May. “It is about understanding how every part of the shipping process connects, from documentation and customs requirements through to capacity and schedule planning, equipment availability, warehousing and contingency arrangements. Customers understandably want logistics to feel simpler, but behind the scenes the operating environment is becoming more complex. That is where experience, communication and flexibility to think outside of the box really matter.”
Managing disruption across changing routes
Recent disruption around the Red Sea and Suez Canal has shown how quickly established trade routes can change, with many vessels rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope rather than using traditional Suez transits. This has added time, fuel costs and operational pressure across key global trade lanes.
Ongoing uncertainty around the Middle East has created further challenges for cargo moving into and around the region. Shipping lines have had to rethink routes quickly, using alternative ports, feeder vessel services and overland trucking options where direct routes are affected.
For customers, this can be difficult to navigate alone. A shipment that looked straightforward at quotation stage can suddenly require a different route, a revised timeline or additional documentation.
Peters & May supports clients by monitoring route changes, assessing available options and communicating clearly when adjustments are needed. Rather than simply passing on disruption, our forwarding team works to find practical solutions that protect the movement of goods wherever possible.
Helping businesses build more resilient supply chains
The changing global environment is also forcing many businesses to rethink long-standing supply chain models.
For years, just-in-time logistics has been the standard approach across many industries. Businesses reduced stockholding, relied on predictable transit schedules and built supply chains around efficiency and speed. When global shipping networks were more stable, that model worked well.
Now, with changing routings, longer transit times and more frequent disruption, many companies are reconsidering how much they can rely on inventory arriving exactly when planned.
Peters & May helps clients explore more flexible options, including regional warehousing, bonded storage and consolidated freight planning. These solutions can help businesses position stock closer to their customers, reduce reliance on urgent replenishment shipments and avoid the cost of last-minute emergency freight where possible.
Bonded warehousing is becoming particularly relevant. It allows importers to store goods in a customs-controlled environment without immediately paying duty and VAT. This can support cash flow, improve stock availability and give businesses more control over when goods are released into the market.
With bonded warehousing capability in the UK and the Netherlands, Peters & May is well placed to support customers operating on both sides of the Channel and across the wider European market.
Reducing pressure on internal teams
As global trade becomes more regulated, pressure is increasing on exporters and importers themselves.
In-house shipping departments are far less common than they once were, yet international trade requirements continue to become more detailed. Commodity codes, Incoterms, dangerous goods regulations, advance customs submissions and country-specific documentation can all affect whether cargo moves smoothly or faces delays.
A detail that looks minor at the start, such as an incorrect commodity code, a missing reference number or incomplete packing information, can affect the entire shipment further down the line.
Peters & May helps clients identify these issues early. Our forwarding team works with customers to review documentation, check routing requirements, coordinate customs processes and ensure the right information is in place before cargo moves.
This early involvement can reduce delays, limit unexpected costs and give clients greater confidence that their shipment is being managed correctly from the outset.
A single point of control
International shipping involves far more than booking space on a vessel, aircraft or truck. It requires coordination across multiple parties, systems and countries, often while conditions are changing in real time.
For customers, that can quickly become difficult to manage.
Peters & May provides a single point of control, helping clients understand what needs to happen, when information is required and where risks may arise. Whether moving goods by sea, air or road, our team focuses on clear communication, practical planning and responsive support throughout the process.
As global forwarding becomes more operationally complex, the value is no longer just in finding a route. It is in understanding how all the moving parts fit together, and knowing what to do when they change.
That is what Peters & May does every day.
