Maritime 2025 Annual Review & Outlook
Executive Commentary
Konecranes
Michael Poltrack
Sales Director , Americas , Port Solutions www . konecranes . com
In 2025 , the maritime industry will face significant challenges such as adapting to stricter environmental regulations , managing increased automation and digitalization , handling larger vessel sizes , and addressing supply chain disruptions . Additionally , the industry will need to focus on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions to meet global sustainability goals .
Key areas of focus should include environmental regulations , cybersecurity , technological integration , supply chain disruptions , capacity management .
Konecranes is well-positioned to lead with its sustainable strategies and focus on low-carbon , energy-efficient solutions . Digitalization enhances
The Lambos Firm , LLP
Carol Notias Lambos
Partner www . thelambosfirm . com
The major challenges facing container lines , ports and terminal operators in 2025 will be a continuation of the supply chain challenges experienced in 2022 . Entrenched behaviors are obstacles to reasonable solutions for supply chain choke points , and increased incoming container capacity will exacerbate these challenges . Avoiding or easing terminal congestion will require planning and stakeholder outreach . All participants in the supply chain must examine their role in hindering or facilitating cargo flow and offer mitigation strategies to prevent choke points .
Such strategies should include extended hours for off-terminal cargo receiving and storage facilities operators to provide greater flexibility for motor carriers . In turn , motor carriers should encourage drivers to work during extended facility hours to prevent terminal
predictive maintenance , ensuring compliance with ISO 27001 and IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards .
Governments and regulators play an essential role in enabling the maritime industry to achieve these targets . Clear , global regulatory frameworks are necessary to standardize emission reductions and provide consistent guidelines . Financial incentives , such as subsidies , tax breaks and grants , can motivate the adoption of green technologies . Investment in necessary infrastructure , such as alternative fuel supply networks and green ports , is also crucial . Increased funding for research and development will drive innovation , particularly through public-private collaborations that can yield breakthrough solutions . Through these combined efforts , ports and terminals can effectively meet ambitious decarbonization targets .
Coupling sustainability and technology is a wider effort within the entire supply chain , governmental regulations and commercially available technological advancements that extend the realm of a traditional original equipment manufacturer . Konecranes has demonstrated a profound dedication to integrating sustainability into its operations and the solutions it provides to the industry to
contribute to reducing environmental impacts in the port equipment sector . Capitalizing on digitalization for predictive maintenance and emphasizing cybersecurity standards , Konecranes exemplifies its commitment to ecoefficiency and setting industry benchmarks for sustainable practices .
LOGISTEC
Sean Pierce
CEO www . logistec . com
Taking a North American view , successfully finalizing the International Longshoremen ’ s Association contract in January , if not before , will be important in terms of setting the tone for port fluidity along the East and Gulf coasts early in 2025 . With respect to Canada , the same theme applies . I am hoping we will have both Canadian and USA contracts settled and in the rearview mirror . Secondly , ramping up investment in
delays caused by too many motor carriers seeking terminal access at the same time . These initiatives can be accomplished with sharing data to provide predictive information on best terminal access times and the availability of warehouses or other off-terminal cargo storage facilities .
Additionally , decarbonization requirements will present challenges to the maritime industry because of the expense involved in replacing existing fleets of container-handling equipment and the limited market availability of alternative equipment . While terminal operators may be ready and willing to explore , test and evaluate zero-emission technologies for containerhandling equipment , unless and until those technologies are proven to work in the operational environment , wide scale deployment will be impossible .
Moreover , regulators must understand that there is limited availability of government-provided financing for such equipment . Federal grant programs that may provide subsidies are generally limited to equipment built in the United States . Unfortunately , most of this equipment is manufactured outside of the US . Any government mandates for decarbonization must consider the impact on the efficient operation of the nation ’ s port and the supply chain .
“ The industry will need to focus on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions to meet global sustainability goals . ”
Michael Poltrack
“ While terminal operators may be ready and willing to explore , test and evaluate zero-emission technologies for containerhandling equipment , unless and until those technologies are proven to work in the operational environment , wide scale deployment will be impossible .”
Carol Notias Lambos
“ Forward-looking companies will seek to reinvent — enabled by sustainability and adoption of cutting-edge technologies — to create the future .”
Sean Pierce
44 Journal of Commerce | January 6 , 2025 www . joc . com