The last few years have brought extreme challenges in ocean freight, redefining what
procurement teams consider “unpredictable”. From rate fluctuations that have seen
container prices swing by hundreds of percentage points to the sustained impact of the
Red Sea crisis disrupting established routes. Procurement managers start a new year
with more challenges in securing reliable capacity at competitive rates.
1
Annual rate negotiations, once standard practice, no longer match market realities. With vessel schedule reliability at 50-55% (Sea-Intelligence) and increased carrier consolidation, procurement teams require dynamic solutions – specifically:
These options enable procurement teams to mitigate rate volatility during disruptions
and maintain supply chain flexibility as trade patterns evolve.
2
Strategic volume pooling is replacing traditional individual commitments as carrier
mergers and alliance restructuring have diminished individual negotiating power.
This model gives mid-sized shippers access to premium allocations previously out of
reach and larger shippers additional leverage through consolidated ocean freight
volumes, all while maintaining flexible commitments.
3
The shift to integrated digital networks marks a critical evolution from fragmented cargo management systems. With carrier connectivity and high-quality data now essential for effective decision-making, organizations need seamless integration across their supply chain ecosystem. Yet building these capabilities internally remains challenging, making specialized platforms with established carrier networks increasingly vital for competitive advantage.
Commodity Supplies has developed a three-tiered service approach that leverages our
unique position in the market:
CSA’s basic procurement specializes in RFQ and contract management excellence. Our
systematic approach covers strategy development, volume analysis, carrier
negotiations, and contract management – all supported by digital tools that provide:
Commodity Supplies basic procurement serves over 200 customers, moving a consolidated volume of more than 700,000 TEUs across 15,000 trade lanes, helping customers significantly reduce costs and workload in their procurement operation.
Commodity Supplies has developed a three-tiered service approach that leverages our
unique position in the market:
Our proven approach helps procurement teams focus on strategy while we ensure
optimal execution.
Through our advanced procurement services, a major retailer streamlined their operations across 80 trade lanes and 250K TEUs annually, achieving a 93% contract fulfillment rate and significantly improving carrier relationships through systematic performance monitoring.
Commodity Supplies ‘s volume pooling service offers a rare advantage in ocean freight procurement. The key difference: we maintain individual client control while leveraging collective scale. Unlike traditional volume consolidation that simply combines shipments, our approach:
This service delivers measurable value for enterprises seeking to optimize their existing carrier relationships and enhance their market position through strategic volume partnerships.
Several FMCG large-volume exporters leveraging CSA’s pooling service gained access to premium carrier allocations across 10,000 trade lanes and over 500,000 TEUs, achieving competitive sea freight rates previously unavailable at their individual volume levels.
At the heart of these services lies Commodity Supplies’ technological edge. Through direct API connections with carriers representing 98% of global capacity, we enable superior freight rate visibility, automated documentation workflows, and instant schedule access across the industry. This infrastructure automates traditionally manual processes – from booking confirmations to document exchange – while providing granular visibility into container movements and performance metrics.
The ability to transform raw connectivity into actionable intelligence sets our technology apart. By processing millions of container events annually and maintaining direct carrier integrations, we deliver the market’s most advanced cargo management capabilities – enabling our cargo procurement services to consistently outperform traditional approaches.
As market volatility continues to challenge traditional procurement approaches, success increasingly depends on digital connectivity, strategic pooling, and dynamic rate management. Commodity Supplies’ procurement services provide not just tools but a comprehensive framework for navigating these shifts.
Ready to transform your ocean freight procurement? Contact us to learn how our services can help you navigate market volatility while securing competitive cargo rates and reliable capacity.