WILL container freight rates move up, down or sideways when the conference system ends later this year? Is further consolidation inevitable or unlikely? Has the industry over-ordered new ships or judged future demand correctly?
Will niche carriers struggle or flourish under the new regulatory regime? Is liner shipping a service or a commodity? Can ship sizes continue to increase? Will the industry become more or less secretive when lines lose their antitrust immunity? Do carriers fully understand the law and the consequences of infringement?
The best brains in the business disagree on the future shape of container shipping and how it will evolve over the coming months and years.
But what most do agree on is the need to attract much more top talent to a business that is the motor of world trade, and yet still has such a low profile — except of course when there is an accident.
That lack of awareness makes it even harder to compete for the cream of recruits against more glamorous or highly-paid professions, but with so much at stake as shipping grapples with change on all fronts, the industry cannot afford to settle for second best.
That goes for shippers, forwarders, terminal operators and others involved in the supply chain as well as the lines themselves.
Shipping is a high risk business. The total loss of a loaded containership could run to several billion dollars. Managing an organisation that may have dozens of these leviathans on the high seas at any one time needs first rate management skills, dedication and commitment.
That is why lines must start talking about what they do, rather than hiding away, in order to attract the highflyers they need.
Comments (2)
Comment by
Mr. S.Krishnan Kutty
- Tuesday 6 May 2008
I don't it is a matter of talent/remuneration but it is the pressure on the persons both on board as well as ashore that is the main cause of the problem. And a careful study will probably reveal that it is the old adage - HASTE IS WASTE. Every one involved in the operations should be given enough time to consider all aspects of the matter and make a proper decision.Efforts to maintain scheudles and maximise profits may be taking its toll.
Comment by
Captain Doctor Ivica Tijardovic, PhD
- Thursday 1 May 2008
IT seems that anybody can sail today, but we should not forget that not many people can be real seamen and definitely not many people think with their own heads. The maritime profession is full of challenges and therefore not for everybody. To become a qualified officer one needs a traditional good education, not just short-term courses, and later some sea experience. Those with good traditional education and sea experience will find it easy to learn any job in shipping, both ashore or onboard. Captains/officers are like singers: if you know how to sing and have good musical sense you will be able to sing any music. Experienced captains/officers just need the opportunity to prove themselves as professionals in different fields. I know of some excellent educated professionals onboard so I believe that the real talents for top jobs ashore lie among captains and officers.
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