Logistics Backup: Your Shipment Keeps Moving Even When Your First Contact Is Away—My story with a Canadian importer

Importers love having only one dedicated logistics contact in one company. And honestly, who doesn't?

But here's the thing about supply chains — they don't pause just because someone goes on leave.

Last July 23rd, a Thursday before the weekend hit, my colleague was out of office. She was handling a Canadian importer's two separate orders: one is shipped by sea, the other is shipped by air, both DDP to Canada.

I spent 20 minutes scanning the entire chat history to get up to speed. The clock was already ticking, we had to collect cargo from the supplier that same day.

What I did next:

1) Added the supplier, confirmed all cargo details and pickup address;

2) Submitted urgent order, dispatched truck the same day;

3) Goods arrived at warehouse on schedule;

4) Locked in a direct Sunday flight for the air shipment;

5) Secured sea freight space for the following week.

(Chat history with the supplier, Chinese version to English version)

The client's hard deadline? Air freight delivered in Canada no later than August 5 local time.

Direct flight booked. Goods arrival → customs clearance → unloading → delivery in 1–2 days.

Result: client signed for the air shipment on August 5, right on schedule.

Sea freight? Departed as planned the next week.

This is what logistics risk management actually looks like in practice. It's not about having a perfect handover — it's about what happens when you don't.

When your regular contact is unavailable, will your freight forwarder still deliver?

That's the question importers should be asking.

The most important thing about shipping is not having a single fixed contact person. What truly matters is that there is always someone ready to back you up.

After that incident, I’ve formed a habit of documenting and sorting through the full progress of every client shipment. It’s not just for my own convenience. It’s for everyone involved in the shipment process. Team members may take time off, but cargo operations cannot afford to pause.

Welcome to consult about your shipment!

Send your inquiry to Dina: sales08@senghorlogistics.com