Global Maritime Container Carriers' Mid-term Strategies as a Tool for Change Management in the Post-Covid Era

Andrzej S. Grzelakowski

European Research Studies Journal, 2023, vol. XXVI, issue 4, 737-754

Abstract: Purpose: The basic aim of the research is to: 1/ identify the main market and regulatory challenges currently faced by global maritime container operators and try to assess them and 2/ indicate the current forms of operational activities and mid-term development strategies of the container shipping carriers in terms of efficient managing such a significant change. Design/Methodology/Approach: At conducting this research, the following methods were applied: factor analysis (FA), market analysis (MA), critical narrative review of few current papers, as well as in-depth analysis of many reports, experts’ opinions and statistical data. In addition, a structured interview was conducted with representatives of five leading container shipowners having their branch offices in Poland. Findings: The research results indicate that: 1/ appreciable decline in demand for container transport by sea followed by significant reduction in freight and contract rates, resulted in a sharp decrease in the revenues of sea carriers, and seriously deepened the uncertainty regarding the possibility of continuing adopted by them in the Covid era strategies, 2/ in addition to significant market challenges, the implementation of existing strategies is also at risk as a result of new regulatory solutions regarding the shipping decarbonization and energy transformation as well as the expiry of the CBER from 2024, 3/ in the face of new regulatory and market challenges, the container shipping carriers are forced to take strategic actions in the field of change management in line with the goals set by regulatory authorities. Practical Implications: The results of the study indicate that currently existed design of the global container shipping market in its advanced oligopolistic form may change significantly, evolving gradually towards a more competitive and friendly for shippers and forwarders structure. Originality/Value: The obtained research results may constitute the basis for filling the currently existing theoretical, methodological and application gap in the field of change management of an unprecedented scope and nature in the container transport segment, contributing to the theory of management sciences. This kind of research can contribute to enriching the knowledge on functioning the maritime container transport markets in a period of ongoing radical changes in its regulatory system as well.

Keywords: Container shipping market; international regulatory challenges; smart and sustainable shipping strategy; container shipping decarbonization. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D01 L13 M21 R41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://ersj.eu/journal/3323/download (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ers:journl:v:xxvi:y:2023:i:4:p:737-754

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in European Research Studies Journal from European Research Studies Journal
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Marios Agiomavritis ().