We understand that shipment delays can be incredibly frustrating. They can lead to unhappy customers, disruptions in production, and challenges in distributing goods efficiently. To prevent such situations, it's crucial to identify the underlying causes of freight delays and adopt best practices to be prepared for any circumstances that may arise.
The most common reasons for freight delays are:
Missing or incorrect shipment information. Errors in entering the pickup/delivery location hours or addresses can impact the carrier's ability to properly transport the load. Occasionally, more freight is given than listed on the Bill of Lading (BOL), resulting in space constraints or scheduling conflicts for the carrier. You can avoid these issues by thoroughly reviewing shipment information before transit. Please note that fees may apply for pickup attempts or delivery attempts due to missing or incorrect information.
Weather Conditions. Weather-related disruptions are understandable and can impact freight deliveries on a regional or even nationwide scale. Events like hurricanes or blizzards can cause unsafe conditions for carriers and warehouse staff in colder regions due to ice and snow buildup. Road closures and terminal shutdowns may halt operations. While you can't control the weather, there are steps you can take to minimize the negative impact:
Allow for additional time in the desired pickup and delivery hours to account for potential bad weather.
Consider consolidating or changing shipment dates to avoid anticipated weather.
Notify other freight parties, such as shipper or receiver to communicate any weather-related challenges to your customer service team.
High freight volumes. Our integrated shipments traveling outside of local zones, may pass through terminals during the pickup and delivery process. At times, terminals may face challenges in keeping up with the influx of incoming freight. Truck loading and unloading typically follow a first-come-first-serve basis.
Other logistical issues. Instances may arise where no one is available to receive the carrier for pickup or delivery, resulting in additional fees for pickup attempts or delivery attempts. Congestion at ports can also cause delays in timely pickups or deliveries. These situations often lead to a delay of 1-2 days.
If you are concerned about a delivery delay and require further assistance, please contact the Mothership support team through the "Support" tab on the Dashboard. We're here to help.