In an extremely challenging industry environment that has been driving liners to relentlessly find better ways to boost competitiveness, improve market positions, and fight for survival, we have witnessed a series of major liner consolidations and new alliances being formed during the last year.
Thus, it is no surprise that many players in the industry will be preparing for some important changes in the playing field for 2017, and from these changes, opportunities for operational efficiencies can be expected, improved utilization of assets realized, and more competitive products for customers can be developed.
As the alliance landscape is being reshaped, competition will remain fierce in the global trading arena that has not seen significant demand growth in years. As such, the industry may begin to see changes in the way liners differentiate themselves in an era where commoditization is evidently growing.
May it be in the form of realizing new opportunities from market segmentation, leveraging innovative technologies and solutions to provide value-added services, or finding creative marketing approaches to improve brand recognition, these are the kind of areas that will likely gain some attention and play a greater role on the business agenda for that competitive edge to win customers.