The international transportation and logistics industry is one of the most exciting and constantly changing industries in the world. After more than 30 years in the business, I think this is the singular reason why I stay in the industry and enjoy the rapidly, ever-changing opportunities and challenges. To remain relevant, an organization must deliver a differentiated value-added product that not only meets our customers’ demands but assists them in delivering a smooth and efficient supply chain.
For North Carolina ports, we are a business-to-business connector. We connect our shipping company customers with our beneficial cargo owner customers. We strive to offer a level of service that exceeds other ports around us in efficiency and cost. We want to continually be the best in customer service and operational productivity. This is not only to steamship lines and BCOs but also the trucking community, forwarders, NVOs, government entities, and other third parties that make up the very complex global trade community.
The challenge for 2019, in a rapidly changing and unpredictable market, is to stay ahead of the curve in anticipating the encounters of the future. As we continue to grow, planning the needed capital infrastructure improvements to maintain our tenet of top level customer service and investing in our people and technology is paramount. In an unpredictable world, a highly trained and talented workforce will find the answers to tomorrow’s challenges.
Technology in global transportation is accelerating, NC Ports will continue to be an efficient conduit in this chain. We are investing heavily in technology to prepare for the challenges of the future.
Tariffs, political challenges, product sourcing and delivery changes, trade imbalances, industry consolidation, truck capacity shifts, intermodal provider service changes, governmental regulations … the list goes on. We can’t control change; embrace it and prepare.