What a difference a year makes. As we plan for 2023, we strive for deeper strategic relationships with our carriers, working toward a shared vision and a mutually agreed definition of success. Differentiation among carriers is stronger than it has been in years, and we can find synergies and align expectations that are not homogeneous across the carrier spectrum. Challenges will continue, and our supply chain is in no way out of the woods. With global orders decreasing, congestion decreasing, and a reduction in global order volume, capacity is opening up. Accompanied by a massive vessel orderbook and an influx of new capacity, carriers will again be looking at blank sailings and laying up or scrapping vessels to avoid the downward spiral of rates. Flexibility and accountability on both sides of the negotiating table will be necessary.
The pandemic was a global tragedy, but it has forced new thinking, innovation, and a myriad of contracting options. We also have OSRA-22 and continued developments in the rulemaking that are changing the traditional balance of power. I find these changes to be refreshing — opening doors for partnerships with our vendors that can take many different forms. We are in a “reset mindset” as we move into this post-pandemic phase. We want a stable and strong ocean carrier industry; we want mutual accountability; and we want our carriers to work toward sustainability. As a non-asset-based entity, we look at the options to reduce emissions — from using vendors that offer reusable insulation material used to protect wine from temperature fluctuations, or opting for recyclable flexibags for bulk products, or researching our own initiatives to offset carbon through external partnerships. Much more is needed to stop the tidal wave of climate damage, and this effort needs to be supported by all stakeholders.
We intend to embrace innovation and new ways to partner. The creativity that stemmed from the crisis is unlikely to last. Shippers tend to have short memories, and some are already forgetting the supply chain problems of the last two years. Let us take the lessons and the positives that came out of a global disaster and use them to build back integrity and create a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.