2012 will be another difficult year for many companies in our industry. Most of the cost-cutting measures we have identified inside our offices have been done. Slow steaming also has been done. Some scrapping and consolidation already has occurred, but there is room for more.
The world is changing rapidly, and, in my view, faster than ever before. Just take a look at the economic and financial crisis in Europe, coming on the heels of similar crises in the U.S. from which we have not fully recovered; the revolts in Africa and the Middle East; the overthrowing of dictators that ruled with iron fists for decades; or even the way the new emerging economies are shaping their own countries!
In this same fast-paced environment, information technology is changing everything, constantly creating a sense of urgency, and by doing so, often fogging our ability to ascertain what is truly urgent and important.
In an environment like this, anything “new” will have the advantage: new companies, new emerging ports, new computer systems, new routes and new ways of interacting with clients, employees and even competitors.
But do we have the leaders in the world and in our industry able to understand and take advantage of these new scenarios? I believe the world crisis we are experiencing today is not solely a monetary crisis, but a general leadership crisis. Many companies in our industry will continue to do business, or look at our business, in the same way as before: “staying the course”.
Few companies will be able to take advantage of the opportunities that this new world will offer. For me, another year of great opportunities is on the horizon!