If there’s one thing logistics has taught us, it’s this: chaos doesn’t knock — it barges in. From container ships blocking the Suez Canal to attacks in the Red Sea, or a bridge collapse rerouting major port traffic, disruption is part of the job.

But nothing hit like COVID.

For those of us in the PPE world, the pandemic was a full-body blow. Plants shut down. Raw materials vanished. Container space became almost impossible to find — and just when demand for PPE exploded. It was like trying to sprint through knee-deep mud.

We weren’t alone in the struggle, but we did have a few key advantages.

First, we had people. A strong, experienced team that didn’t panic when things went sideways. Second, we had deep relationships with logistics partners — ocean carriers, forwarders, the folks on the ground who move freight when the world freezes up. These relationships weren’t built overnight. They came from years of trust, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.

Then there was our secret weapon: an International Transportation Management System (ITMS) partner. When carriers were maxed out and container space was tighter than ever, that system gave us fast access to a broader network of quality forwarders. Their reach became our reach. While others were stuck in neutral, we were still moving.

This paid off later again and again.   A huge container ship gets stuck in the Suez Canal.  A ship collapses a bridge outside of the Port of Baltimore.  The Red Sea is shut out for a few years now because of attacks on ships.  Typhoons, hurricanes, ship fires, and labor actions at critical ports! 

It’s not about having all the answers — it's about being ready when the questions change fast. That’s where a partner like WOWL comes in. We don’t just show up when things go wrong. We help you build resilience into your logistics from day one.

You can't predict every disruption. But you can plan for it. You can train your team, build strong relationships, and surround yourself with partners who don't flinch when things get messy.

Because in logistics, it’s not about avoiding the storm. It’s about learning how to steer through it — and still deliver.

AndyG@WOWL.io

#logistics #supplychain #resilience #freight #ITMS #WOWL #PPElogistics