It has been a week since I joined Sunny Worldwide Logistics. The company provided me with a dormitory where I share a bunk bed with a colleague. He often works late, and we usually chat when he gets back. Since I knew absolutely nothing about freight forwarding, my questions were very basic, yet he never showed a hint of impatience; instead, he patiently shared his experience with me.
I knew he handled air freight forwarding from China to the Middle East—a specialized route for our company—so I assumed he was highly professional. He spoke with great confidence, saying that if he couldn't handle a shipment for the Middle East air route out of Shenzhen, hardly anyone else could. I really admired that attitude.
Yesterday, I asked him about the transit time for Middle East air freight. He said it usually takes three days. When I asked if it could be faster, he replied that if a client had an urgent need and cost wasn't an issue, same-day delivery was possible.
I also asked whether it was better to charge based on volume or weight for these shipments. He explained that it depends on the goods and industry standards; generally, freight companies charge based on whichever figure is higher. When I asked which method was most cost-effective for the client, he said, "Weight." I understood, though I realized that if the volume is excessive, charges would still be based on volume.
Last night, we talked about how he learned the ropes when he first entered the industry. He said, "In the beginning, whenever I ran into a problem, I’d log it in a spreadsheet and then ask the veterans for the answer. I’d record every single freight-related issue I encountered. Guess how many entries I had?"
I said I didn't know—maybe a few hundred? He replied, "More than that; I logged over a thousand." I was shocked; I sat up in my bunk and looked at him, asking, "Really? That many questions?" He explained, "When you're truly dedicated to learning this industry, you start out with nothing but questions. If you ask the veterans every day, they get annoyed. So, I had to keep a record and minimize my questions—I’d look up information myself first, and only ask the veterans if I couldn't find the answer." I truly admire him—not only for his dedicated attitude and willingness to put in the effort, but also for his years of experience in the industry. That is precisely why the company entrusted him with leading our dedicated air freight route from China to the Middle East. He has shared many stories with me about the tricky challenges he has faced and the solutions he devised; I look forward to sharing these insights with you all later.
It is worth noting that our company ranks among the top five in China for dedicated Middle East air freight routes. We have secured exclusive weekly cargo space allocations from two major airlines—a bold move that few of our competitors dare to make.
Beyond Middle East air freight, we offer a wide range of dedicated shipping routes covering sea, air, and rail transport. If you require freight forwarding services, simply provide us with details regarding your cargo—such as type, volume, weight, destination, and desired delivery time—and our team of experts will promptly provide a tailored logistics solution. Whether by rail, sea, or air, we can create a customized logistics mix to help you save on shipping costs or reduce transit times.
