Last year in global shipping and shipbuilding was characterized by market collapse and consolidation. But with the right strategy it is possible to get back into shape as the example »Searoad Mersey II« shows. By Reinhard Lüken
Who would have thought that Bob Dylan would ever receive the Nobel Prize for Literature? The times, they are a[ds_preview]-changin’ – indeed! It has been more than fifty years since Dylan came up with this line and today it seems to hold true more than ever.
Look at the maritime industry. A year marked by market collapse and consolidation has passed. The times when shipping came close to owning a money-printing machine are over, and the opposite is true today: Being able to cut the losses somewhat can be considered an achievement, and survival is the rule of the game.
The same applies to most parts of the global shipbuilding industry. This conservative industry with its long tradition and established routines is facing tough challenges. Overcapacities in almost all volume markets are swallowing the earnings and with it the ability to invest. At the same time, both the public and the regulators expect the sector to clean up and reduce its footprint in the environment. However, this can only be accomplished by investing in new, cleaner technology.
In this respect, the ship of the year 2016 is a great choice: The »Searoad Mersey II« is a prime example of what can be achieved when efficiency, customer focus and environmental responsibility combine.
To advance towards these objectives during these challenging times takes true pioneer spirit, courage and commitment. SeaRoad, the proud owner of the chosen vessel, is living up to its values of delivering the highest performance standards – and expects the same of its business partners. The fact that these partners have been found in Germany is not a coincidence. It is our focus and essential philosophy to provide the best products for even the most demanding costumers. We are convinced that this business model will be a successful one: offering excellence instead of commodities, expertise instead of corner-cutting tricks, and efficiency instead of blind cost reduction.
The ship of the year therefore stands not only for a masterpiece of maritime engineering and innovation but also for a role model of business ethics, which should ideally spread to all parts of the maritime business. The times, they are a-changin’ – let’s hope they will!
Reinhard Lüken
