In a report published by McKinsey, the consultant company tries to depict how the future of shipping will look like in 50 years and what shipping companies can do to adapt to the new reality.
As noted, today, the shipping industry is roiled by another one: digital technologies, big data, the Internet of Things. In 50 years, McKinsey expects the following changes to occur:
Changes of the future include:
- Autonomous 50,000-TEU ships will plowing the seas, perhaps alongside modular, dronelike floating containers—and the volume of container trade will be two to five times what it is toda,
- Short-haul intraregional traffic increase as converging global incomes, automation, and robotics disperse manufacturing footprints,
- After multiple value-destroying overcapacity and consolidation cycles, three or four major container-shipping companies might emerge,
- A fully autonomous transport chain will extend from loading, stowage, and sailing to unloading directly onto autonomous trains and trucks,
- Some customers prepared to pay a premium will want container-logistics providers fully integrated into their supply chains. Others will continue to demand the cheapest sea freight.
As the report mentions, container-trade growth has been slowed since the financial crisis and the changes mentioned might make things worse. For that reason, the McKinsey report includes actions that can be taken by the operators to adapt to these changes.
What the shipping industry can do to adapt to the changes:
- First, shipping companies should invest in digital technologies to differentiate their products, disintermediate value chains, improve customer service, raise productivity, and cut costs,
- Second, integrate: Next-generation innovations will have to be orchestrated across the entire value chain. Carriers and terminal operators share an especially rich agenda,
- Finally, be bold: There is a path forward for companies willing and able to seize the day.
Further details may be found by reading the full report herebelow:
