Brands gain multimodal consolidation (barge + air), local last-mile river delivery expertise, and access to cold-chain warehousing for perishables. Prioritize 3PLs that provide inventory buffering, real-time tracking, and coordinated handoffs with river carriers to minimize stockouts and control landed cost.

Plan inventory with a mixed strategy: use safety stock and cycle stock to cover predictable barge transit windows, reserve air freight for expedited replenishment, and consolidate inbound shipments to reduce unit cost.

• Buffer stock for river lead times
• Air for urgent top-ups
• Consolidation to lower freight per unit

Key capabilities include validated temperature-controlled storage, generator-backed power, continuous remote monitoring and alarm systems, documented cold-chain SOPs (HACCP/traceability), and proven refrigerated transfer to river or last-mile carriers.

Verify contracted barge schedules and reliability, air-cargo capacity agreements, customs and bonded-storage capabilities, KPIs for dwell time and on-time delivery, and formal contingency plans for river disruptions (alternative routing, emergency air uplift, or buffer stock policies).