Prioritize multimodal transfer experience (barge/ferry handling), secure berthing and stevedoring, cold‑chain if needed, reliable inventory visibility (WMS) and proven contingency planning for weather and vessel schedule variability.

Transit times to island end‑customers are typically shorter from a local Kalangala hub, reducing last‑mile delivery windows and stockouts. Overall landed cost can be lower when factoring reduced last‑mile transport and consolidated inbound shipments, though barge rates and transfer handling must be modeled.

Negotiate SLAs for vessel transfer windows, order‑to‑ship cycle times, cold‑chain temperature controls, inventory accuracy, dispute resolution timelines, and contingency plans for bad weather and berth availability.

Yes—experienced 3PLs can support omnichannel returns, pick‑pack, kitting and B2B pallet moves, but brands should expect limitations in peak capacity during bad weather, potential longer inbound lead times from international origins, and the need for shore transfer coordination.

Include barge/ferry line‑haul and handling fees, berthing/stevedoring charges, specialized equipment costs (cold storage, ramps), contingency inventory buffers, insurance for water transport, and WMS/Warehouse labor differentials compared to mainland rates.