The difference between an exporter like you struggling with container rollovers and one operating with precision isn’t just luck—it’s visibility.
In the world of global trade, timing is everything. A container of goods, packed and ready, is supposed to leave port on Tuesday. But Tuesday comes and goes, and instead of being loaded onto the vessel, the container sits at the terminal. Perhaps cargo space wasn’t guaranteed. Maybe cutoff dates changed or the receiving window shifted.
Whatever the reason, the container has “rolled”—left behind to wait for the next available departure.
For exporters, this is more than just an inconvenience. It’s a costly, disruptive chain reaction. Some of these goods have expiration dates. Some are tied to tight production schedules. Others are seasonal, meaning if they don’t arrive on time, they might as well never arrive at all. And yet, for all the advances in global logistics, rolled containers remain a persistent problem. It’s a symptom of something larger: a supply chain operating in a state of uncertainty.
Even as the world moves further away from the COVID-era chaos, exporters continue to wrestle with schedule unreliability, blank sailings, fluctuating receiving windows, shifting import tariffs, and geopolitical risks. The result is a landscape where ocean freight bookings feel more like educated guesses than precise commitments.
In 2024, the Waterways Council reported that ocean carrier schedules are on time just 55% of the time, far below the 80% target set by carriers. We also heard directly from exporters at the AgTC conference that shifting terminal receiving windows affected nearly 30% of their bookings.
It’s enough to make even the most seasoned logistics professionals lose sleep.
The problem isn’t just the unpredictability itself—it’s the lack of visibility into that unpredictability. A booking confirmation doesn’t necessarily mean space is secured. Cutoff dates fluctuate based on vessel delays. Terminal receiving dates shift in response to congestion. If an exporter doesn’t have real-time insight into these constant changes, they’re left making decisions in the dark. Some pull containers too early and rack up detention fees. Others miss the window altogether and suffer rollovers. In either case, money is lost, efficiency is sacrificed, and the entire process begins to feel like an expensive guessing game.
But what if the problem wasn’t the disruptions themselves—but rather the inability to see them coming? That’s where Unity SCM comes in.
At Unity SCM, we operate on a simple but powerful principle: Exporters don’t just need more data. They need the right data, at the right time, in the right format.
Instead of forcing logistics teams to piece together scattered updates from carriers, 3PLs, and terminals, we consolidate, structure, and analyze these data points into a single, intelligent system. We collect real-time updates directly from ocean carriers, supplement them with data from key partners including critical rail and terminal data.
This isn’t just about having better information—it’s about knowing when and where to intervene.
With us, an exporter doesn’t just receive an alert that a vessel schedule has changed. They receive a precise update on how that change affects their shipment’s cutoff dates, port receiving times, and final delivery expectations. Instead of manually tracking shifting ERDs or scrambling to confirm carrier schedules, they get automatic notifications when action is needed. It’s the difference between playing defense and staying ahead of the game.
Traditional logistics platforms tend to suffer from rigidity—they offer dashboards, but they dictate what information is shown and how it’s displayed. We flip that approach on its head, allowing exporters to customize dashboards and workflows to match their exact needs. Some users might prioritize booking changes, while others need granular insights into terminal congestion or vessel swaps. The system adapts to the way logistics teams work, not the other way around.
For exporters using us, the impact is immediate and measurable.
Rolled containers at origin are reduced by up to 25%, simply by staying ahead of booking changes, ERDs, and cutoff dates.
Instead of firefighting delays after they happen, you can proactively adjust their plans. When a problem does arise, they have the information needed to rebook quickly, keeping customers informed rather than scrambling for answers. Productivity soars as exception management tools automate routine tracking, freeing up logistics teams to focus on higher-value tasks instead of chasing updates.
In global trade, a shipment’s success is often determined before it even reaches the port. The difference between an exporter like you struggling with container rollovers and one operating with precision isn’t just luck—it’s visibility. And in an industry where one missed departure can ripple through an entire supply chain, that kind of visibility isn’t just valuable. It’s essential.
