Maersk Line CEO calls for industry change
Maersk Line CEO Eivind Kolding believes that if container shipping is to secure its licence to operate in the future, the industry needs to change now, eyefortransport reports.
Containerisation revolutionised world trade, unlocking the potential to efficiently connect producers and consumers across the world and enabling both shipping lines and their customers to develop their businesses in ways that previously had seemed impossible.
However, container shipping is also the story of an established business model that often disappoints customers: one in every two containers is late, shipping lines are complex to do business with, and the industry - while being the most environmentally-friendly transportation mode - still lacks transparency and common goals.
Using the automotive, aviation, and consumer electronics industries as examples, Koling said that, although an industry is established, it may only be a "few years from being completely overtaken" by new technology.
He also added that market and customer behaviour is forcing companies to "never lose sight of what customers really want" - including the needs that they are not even aware of.
"The container shipping industry stands on the brink of an era-defining moment and we face some fundamental challenges," he said, concluding with these questions for the industry:
* Why not see these as fantastic opportunities?
* What if we could guarantee that cargo would be on time, every time?
* What if placing a shipping order was as easy as buying an airline ticket?
* What if the shipping industry was known for beating environmental expectations - not struggling to meet them?"
Containerisation revolutionised world trade, unlocking the potential to efficiently connect producers and consumers across the world and enabling both shipping lines and their customers to develop their businesses in ways that previously had seemed impossible.
However, container shipping is also the story of an established business model that often disappoints customers: one in every two containers is late, shipping lines are complex to do business with, and the industry - while being the most environmentally-friendly transportation mode - still lacks transparency and common goals.
Using the automotive, aviation, and consumer electronics industries as examples, Koling said that, although an industry is established, it may only be a "few years from being completely overtaken" by new technology.
He also added that market and customer behaviour is forcing companies to "never lose sight of what customers really want" - including the needs that they are not even aware of.
"The container shipping industry stands on the brink of an era-defining moment and we face some fundamental challenges," he said, concluding with these questions for the industry:
* Why not see these as fantastic opportunities?
* What if we could guarantee that cargo would be on time, every time?
* What if placing a shipping order was as easy as buying an airline ticket?
* What if the shipping industry was known for beating environmental expectations - not struggling to meet them?"