Executive Commentary |
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times the amount ordered by TEU capacity in 2023 .
While the order book is the largest it has ever been in terms of TEU capacity , the need for new tonnage is exacerbated by the aging of the fleet . Over 3 million TEUs of capacity is now 20 years of age or older , and more stringent emission regulations are being put in place .
Again , we will look for a robust freight rate environment to remain in place . While the liner companies have profited greatly in recent years , there is always a boom-and-bust nature to the overall liner profitability picture .
Liner profitability and the willingness — even desire — of the major banks and Chinese leasing companies to embrace the decarbonization agenda is making the transition not only attractive , but almost necessary for the major operators .
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BBC Chartering
Ulrich Ulrichs
CEO www . bbc-chartering . com
Trade is increasingly being challenged globally by wars , piracy , environmental rules , or situations such as the Panama Canal drought and Houthi attacks on vessels navigating to or from the Suez Canal . The latter events took out considerable capacity for ocean transportation globally , as transit times between Asia and the Atlantic coasts of the Americas , or Asia and Europe , got notably longer . As there are still only very modest newbuilding orders , the shortage of specialized tonnage will , over time , be increasingly felt by operators , cargo owners and freight forwarders looking to get transportation capacity for their projects .
More and more environmental rulings , especially concerning emissions , cause additional costs and taxes . So far , this has been mostly related to Europe , but other regions / countries in the world are following suit . With this comes a steadily growing administrative burden , impacting overhead costs of vessel owners and operators . These additional
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“ The biggest challenge which all breakbulk operators must cope with is that of having highly qualified and motivated staff at all levels and in all departments and locations .”
Ulrich Ulrichs
“ With electronic bill of lading adoption currently at 5 %, clear legal frameworks could raise usage to 100 % by 2030 , streamlining trade and supporting sustainability goals across the industry .”
Thomas Bagge
“ Additional recurring funds should be allocated to on-port infrastructure projects to help with supply chain resiliency and efficiency projects .”
Mike Rubin
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Digital Container Shipping Association
Thomas Bagge
CEO www . dcsa . org
As the maritime industry approaches 2025 , container lines , ports and terminal operators are poised to enhance collaboration and address long-standing challenges . Larger vessels , a feature of the industry since the 1990s , continue to demand advanced infrastructure and operational strategies . This established trend now aligns with a powerful shift toward digital transformation , driving the industry toward greater efficiency , transparency and connectivity .
The growth in container capacity and larger ships has heightened the need for automation , data sharing and predictive analytics . Key digital standards , such as the Digital Container Shipping Association ’ s Operational Vessel Schedule , play a crucial role in improving scheduling accuracy and reducing idle times , forming a foundation for collaborative improvement in port operations . This momentum underscores a shift toward smarter logistics hubs , where automation and artificial
costs must be recovered from clients .
Yet , the biggest challenge which all breakbulk operators must cope with is that of having highly qualified and motivated staff at all levels and in all departments and locations . It is of paramount importance to recruit skilled people who are interested to work in this special sector . Shipping needs to demonstrate how attractive it is to work in this highly international industry . Career opportunities need to be highlighted , and training programs advertised . It would be a good start if more people understand what an essential role shipping plays in everyone ’ s daily life .
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intelligence are set to enhance berth and yard management and optimize last-mile logistics . Standards such as just-in-time shipping aim to improve vessel arrival times , potentially reducing fuel consumption by 15 % and advancing sustainability targets .
Member-led digital standards implementations are expected to triple in 2024 , with a projected 100 % increase in API call volumes from October 2023 to 2024 , underscoring a strong demand for more agile , interconnected systems . This digital drive is complemented by a broader commitment to sustainability , supported by the adoption of alternative fuels and low-emission technologies .
Digital adoption is also gaining traction through supportive regulatory environments . With electronic bill of lading adoption currently at 5 %, clear legal frameworks could raise usage to 100 % by 2030 , streamlining trade and supporting sustainability goals across the industry . DCSA ’ s State of the Industry Report 2024 – Insights on Digital Evolution in Container Shipping highlights how momentum and collaboration are advancing the maritime sector toward a more connected , efficient and resilient future .
Florida Ports Council
Mike Rubin
President and CEO www . flaports . org
The ability to finance priority seaport infrastructure to address issues of resiliency and efficiency remain top challenges facing seaports . Lessons learned from past supply chain crises created by the pandemic ,
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