During the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, ZIM has reaffirmed its strong belief that agile, fast-moving organizations are crucial if the industry is to cope with the rapidly changing realities in the market. Carriers and other service providers learned to adjust quickly to new situations, such as remote working, while continuing to provide quality service to customers. ZIM, for example, created new dedicated e-commerce lines in response to market demand and introduced new products within a very short time.
Another important lesson from the COVID-19 crisis was the importance of developing and promoting innovative digital tools for shippers. Use of electronic bills of lading, for example, has increased dramatically.
The far-reaching impacts of the pandemic have led to the current supply chain crisis in the US, and the lack of capacity and equipment. ZIM has dramatically increased both our container fleet and the number of vessels we operate in order to keep up with the growing demand, including a long-term chartering deal for 25 “green” vessels fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) due in early 2023.
The problem, however, is not solely in the carriers’ ability to provide capacity, but rather bottlenecks due to insufficient inland infrastructure.
Looking ahead, there are two main challenges for the shipping industry. First, putting the supply chain crisis behind us through a coordinated effort of all stakeholders. It’s a massive challenge that will require resources, coordination, and planning.
The other major challenge is the implication of the climate crisis on the way carriers operate. Environmental issues are increasingly a key consideration for carriers as the industry moves toward an emissions-free future.