Ulrich Ulrichs, CEO, BBC Chartering

https://bbc-chartering.com/
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Ulrich Ulrichs

We have been reminded again that communication is the key, both internally with employees and management, but also with clients. Good communication, transparency and having a mutual understanding of each other’s point of view are very important.

I have also been encouraged to see that the BBC organization is ready and prepared to weather any storm, and to cherish the hard work that is put in by our employees worldwide every day. We as well appreciate the crew on board the vessels even more than we did before. Crews went through a hard time during the pandemic, and they deserve our highest respect and gratitude. Last but not least, we learned that one cannot appreciate a superb IT department enough!

We will need to put even more focus on environmental aspects, emissions, sustainability, and -integrity in the future and follow the lead of other segments in our industry. The MPV/heavy-lift segment needs more investments in modern and energy-efficient vessels. However, that comes at a cost, and the industry needs to be valued (and paid) better in order to justify those investments.

With regard to ocean transportation on MPV/heavy-lift vessels, shippers should try to secure space in advance. The supply of MPV/heavy-lift ships is stagnant or shrinking, and the demand, in terms of cargo volumes and demand for more renewable energy, will increase.