The true cost of mega-ships

摘要

Concerns about the sneer size of the next-generation container ship, and the mega alliances that will operate them, is not confined to US exporters and importers (see artcle above). Terminal-operating businesses are being forced to rethink the way they work. According to the background information for the TOC Container Supply Chain Conference, to be held in Singapore in April, the concentration of large container volumes into a single weekly call will put a "significant strain" on the capacity of a maritime terminal to work the ship, both on the quay and landside. Truck drivers delivering and picking up containers face increased gate congestion and lengthy waiting times; hinterland infrastructures beyond the gate will need substantial investment if they are to handle much larger volumes of boxes. Terminal productivity will need to be reassessed and further investment made in handling equipment, while employee shift structures and logistics procedures will need to become more flexible to avoid clogging up the established flow. In short, warn terminal operators that speed is of the essence if they are to survive the tidal wave of evolving demands.