Key elements include port/wharf proximity, warehouse layout for pick‑pack and cross‑dock, IT integrations (WMS/EDI/API), bonded or temperature-controlled options if needed, and carrier connectivity for scheduled RoRo and feeder services. Check SLA guarantees for cutoffs and handling times.

Transit windows depend on feeder frequency and seasonal weather. Fewer sailings increase consolidation time and inventory carrying costs; more frequent RoRo/feeder services reduce expedited freight spend. Match inventory placement and reorder points to carrier schedules to minimize air freight use and improve delivery predictability.

Specify pick accuracy, on-time shipment percentage, order cycle time, damage rates, and inventory accuracy. Require KPI reporting cadence, root-cause analysis for exceptions, and defined penalties or remediation steps for SLA breaches to align operational performance with commercial expectations.

Cost drivers include ocean/feeder rates, last-mile carrier charges, inventory carrying costs due to consolidation, and handling fees. Optimize by consolidating shipments, negotiating carrier frequency, using zone-skipping where feasible, and aligning inventory placement with demand patterns to reduce expedited transport.