With an impressive tagline – We Speak Logistics – Dedola Global Logistics (DGL) has been offering logistics and freight management solutions to importers and exporters since 1976. 

DGL's services include – ocean freight, air freight, compliance solutions, and supply chain management. Under the able leadership of its chief executive office Marc Dedola, the company reached new heights when a global pandemic hit the entire world. 

COVID Era – Early 2020

The COVID era has brought novel and chronic challenges to importers. DGL, as a reliable and professional logistics partner to our clients, is equipped to handle the challenges of this turbulent period. 

Dedola Global Logistics, Marc Dedola, CEO, said, "During the worst stretches of the Covid crisis when equipment and space were in high demand and short supply, DGL consistently secured space and equipment for over 95% of our customers. There were shutdowns in Chinese cities and ports. Because of our presence in China and strong network of partners, we kept shipments moving despite the obstacles." 

Companies approached them as shipping PPE at the height of covid, and medical supplies were critically necessary. They secured dedicated cargo planes for their PPE shipments, getting essential supplies into the hands of first responders across the nation.

Talking about the initial reaction to the COVID-19 crisis and the specific concerns regarding the business, Marc Dedola, "Like many people, we were concerned about our immediate interests: the health of our families and friends and how everyone would respond to this unique threat. Of course. We'd dealt with many significant events in our four decades in the business — equipment shortages, strikes, the 2008 stock market crash, but this was completely new. We had no idea how this crisis would affect our clients, our business, or the economy in general. Like many others, we assumed it was all bad news. It turned out we were all wrong."

The assumptions about the Covid crisis were proven wrong. Even the industry experts were completely wrong, especially the major ocean carriers. One critical error made by the major ocean carriers resulted in the breaking down the global supply chain. 

Elaborating on that one critical error, Marc Dedola revealed that, like many, they thought quarantine, work stoppages, and uncertainty would lead to reduced consumer demand. 

The ocean carriers were understandably concerned about empty vessels and catastrophic losses — so they chose to mitigate those losses in the only way they knew and could. They removed vessels from the usual rotation, repositioned assets, and even dry-docked ships. In early 2020, it seemed like a reasonable decision.

But it turned out… something reverse.

Consumer demand spiked, and the need for imported goods went through the roof. It's easy with hindsight to suggest why — working from home, nesting, and government subsidies all played a part. But it was exactly the opposite of what everyone expected.

Governments and economists, and multi-national cargo carriers simply got it wrong. Additionally, the demand and priority of PPE, almost exclusively produced in Asia, required significant ocean and air freight space. And that was just the start. The follow-on events over the last two years exacerbated the problem further and led to the supply chain disruptions we see today.

Describing how Dedola Global Logistics responded to this prolonged supply chain disruption, Marc Dedola said, "We've done what we have always done: help our clients navigate the many details and issues of global shipping. In a way, it was just an extreme version of our usual business model. We exist as a logistics provider to solve problems. While the situation was unique, the mission was the same —but on steroids! How do we secure space in an extremely tight market? How do we help our clients plan? What options can we offer? It was a challenge, but we were proactive."

The company has never been more successful; they have done well by doing good. 

Cut to Present – Global Supply Chain Current Status

While the COVID-related disruptions still impact the global supply chain, the goal of DGL is to optimize their supply chain and offer a critical advantage in the competitive marketplace.

DGL has almost five decades of experience. That experience gives their clients confidence that they can help them negotiate the ongoing chaos in the supply chain. 

Regarding the logistics industry's future, Marc Dedola said, "It's still a mess. The level of uncertainty is off-the-charts. Vessel ETDs and ETAs are moving targets, equipment is in short supply, space is tight, and domestic trucking is understaffed and overwhelmed. This kind of uncertainty was unheard of in the decades preceding 2020."

Opinionating on whether the supply chain will normalize, Marc Dedola said that while they are optimistic about it, there are still some obstacles, such as upcoming union negotiations, the war in Ukraine is ongoing, with no end in sight. Lockdowns in China are prolonged and unpredictable.

Sharing how the staff managed in Shanghai during the recent lockdown, Marc Dedola said they transitioned smoothly to working at home, but the prolonged isolation was challenging. China's lockdowns are absolute. 

The staff members were prisoners in their own homes, which emotionally took its toll on them. They were glad to return to the office, but the transition and ongoing uncertainty continue to be challenging. Praising the resilience and dedication of his staff, Marc Dedola said that he couldn't say enough about their resilience and dedication. They are an asset to the company and the clients.

DGL is proactive in handling challenges as compared to its competitors. The Ops staff constantly communicates with this network, helping avoid delays and avoidable demurrage charges.

Elaborating on the statement – easy, fast, & reliable shipping, Marc Dedola said, "We optimize our clients' supply chains, providing a high-touch service from end to end. Our dedicated service reps have 50 years of experience in all facets of global logistics. Continuity is essential, and our staff has 5-20 years of tenure. We can offer easy, fast, and reliable service because our seasoned team is dedicated to our clients 24/7."

And what do they mean by being 'continually consultative.' 

Partnering with their clients to optimize the supply chain, DGL helps find efficiencies that reduce hard and soft costs at the origin and domestically. The conversations with the clients are ongoing while offering them solutions like buyer's consolidations, flexible warehousing, transloading, last-mile distribution, and a robust client portal, TrakItPro, that gives them complete visibility throughout the life of every shipment.  

Speaking about what makes Dedola different from others, Marc Dedola said, "Passion, a willingness to take all the steps needed to see a shipment through to completion, and a staff dedicated to providing a superior service. In an industry where so many folks take shortcuts, Dedola Global Logistics assumes nothing. Expertise is essential. Action is gold."